Islanders Fall To Columbus After Late Goal (Highlights)

UNIONDALE, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 23: Nathan Gerbe #24 of the Columbus Blue Jackets (L) celebrates his first goal of the season at 9:34 of the second period against the New York Islanders at NYCB Live's Nassau Coliseum on December 23, 2019 in Uniondale, New York. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
UNIONDALE, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 23: Nathan Gerbe #24 of the Columbus Blue Jackets (L) celebrates his first goal of the season at 9:34 of the second period against the New York Islanders at NYCB Live's Nassau Coliseum on December 23, 2019 in Uniondale, New York. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

After a solid start for the New York Islanders, they slowly fell apart. Losing off a tough bounce late in the third period.

After a shootout loss on Saturday, the New York Islanders were back in action tonight against Columbus. This game couldn’t have started any better for the Islanders. They were on a power play within the first two minutes of the game and then they found themselves first on the scoreboard shortly thereafter.

Anders Lee netted his 11th goal of the year off a beautiful feed from Mat Barzal. Barzal showed his patience, went behind the net, and found an open Lee who made no mistake beating Korpisalo.

That one-goal lead would hold through the remainder of the period. Even early in the second, the Isles had the momentum, until Johnny Boychuk’s penalty changed the moment. Kevin Stenlund was able to beat Greiss on the power play tying the game up at two.

Just three minutes later, Nathan Gerbe who played in his first NHL game since February of 2018 found the back of the net. It was his first NHL goal since the 2015-2016 season.

But later in the period, Mathew Barzal showed up again in a big spot, tying the game at two on a wrap-around.

After two periods of play, the score was tied at two. Both teams had 17 shots on goal in the second period as it was chances galore and a lot of big saves from each goalie in net tonight.

In the third, the Islanders limited shots. Columbus only had five shots on net while the Islanders had 11 shots on goal. Unfortunately, a bad bounce and Thomas Greiss being unable to cover up lead to the Blue Jackets game-winning goal.

The Isles would pull the goalie, get a couple of chances but they were unable to score so it was a 3-2 regulation loss for the Islanders in a game where they looked like the better team for a good chunk of the game.

The offense needs a little more from guys named Mat Barzal, he was very clearly the best player on the ice tonight. The Isles are back in action on Frida as they head to Chicago.

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Winners: Mat Barzal, Joonas Korpisalo, Jordan Eberle

Losers: Noah Dobson, Johnny Boychuk, Thomas Greiss