Game Preview: NY Islanders vs. Columbus Blue Jackets

The New York Islanders head to Columbus Ohio for just their second road game of the season to take on the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Last Game

On Thursday night, the Islanders were finally able to break their three-game losing streak in a penalty filled matchup against the Ottawa Senators at UBS Arena. The Isles took 13 minor penalties and had to play 5 on 3 a number of times during the night. Goals by Bo Horvat and Cal Clutterbuck gave the Isles a much needed early lead. Penalties and bad defensive mistakes led the Sens to coming back to tie the game during the second. An early third period goal by Noah Dobson solidified the Isles win, despite being out played by the Sens on both ends of the ice.

Historical Matchup

In their final matchup of the 2022-23 season against a struggling Blue Jackets team, the Islanders were unable to pull out a win to finish the season sweep. The Islanders lost in overtime despite taking an early lead with a Zach Parise goal late in the first period and out shooting the Blue Jackets during the second and third periods. The Blue Jackets were able to score four goals during the second period, but a goal by Brock Nelson helped cut their lead in half. Blue Jackets young star Kent Johnson got his 15th goal of the season that night, helping continue his push to stardom in the NHL. Third period goals by Brock Nelson and Kyle Palmieri, along with some big saves by Ilya Sorokin helped send an Isles team that should have had no issue beating the Blue Jackets into overtime. Columbus goaltender Michael Hutchinson played a great game, stopping 34/38 shots faced. Much like this season, the Islanders struggled to stay out of the box, especially when it mattered most, taking four penalties to the Jacket's one. The final nail in the coffin for the Isles back in March came with an Anders Lee high stick with 30 seconds left in the third, sending the game into a 4-3 OT. Boone Jenner was able to capitalize on the captain's mistake scoring the Jacket's second PPG of the night and sending the Islanders packing with a 5-4 OT loss.

Players to Watch

Islanders defenseman Noah Dobson has played a great last few games offensively. While he still has much to work on in his own zone, the young defenseman has shown up when the Isles need him most. Averaging around 25 minutes of ice time a night, Dobson has had at least a point in his last 5 games, including a goal in his last 4 and 2 assists against the Avs. Dobson currently stands as the Isles leading point getter with 7 points in 6 games. Horvat has also looked good for the Islanders these last few games. Despite being held off the score sheet against Colorado, Horvat had a goal and an assist last game, and has five points on the season so far.

Blue Jacket's center Jack Roslovic is averaging a point per game so far this season. He scored a goal and three assists against the Montreal Canadiens on Thursday night. Emil Bemstrom garnered two goals against the Habs and has three goals in his last two games.

Projected Lines

Islanders

Anders Lee-Mat Barzal-Bo Horvat
Pierre Engvall-Brock Nelson-Kyle Palmieri
Simon Hölmstrom-Jean-Gabriel Pageau-Oliver Wahlstrom
Matt Martin-Casey Cizikas-Cal Clutterbuck

Adam Pelech-Noah Dobson
Alexander Romanov-Ryan Pulock
Samuel Bolduc-Sebastian Aho

Semyon Varlamov
Ilya Sorokin

Blue Jackets

Johnny Gaudreau-Boone Jenner-Jack Roslovic
Alexandre Texier-Adam Fantilli-Emil Bemstrom
Kent Johnson-Cole Sillinger-Justin Danforth
Dmitri Voronkov-Sean Kuraly-Mathieu Olivier

Zach Werenski-Damon Severson
Ivan Provorov-David Jiricek
Jake Bean-Erik Gudbranson

Elvis Merzlikins
Spencer Martin