The Upshot: NY Islanders rout the Columbus Blue Jackets 7-3 with big third period

HOW IT HAPPENED

Bo Horvat scored twice in 20 seconds in the third period as the Islanders pulled away from the Columbus Blue Jackets on their way to a 7-3 win at UBS Arena on Thursday night. Mathew Barzal had a four-point night with two goals and two assists for the Islanders (11-7-7), who got 32 saves from Semyon Varlamov. Pierre Engvall, Cal Clutterbuck, and Kyle Palmieri also scored for the Islanders. Adam Fantilli had two goals and an assist for Columbus (8-15-5), and Emil Bemstrom had a goal and an assist. Spencer Martin made 29 saves for the Blue Jackets, who lost their third straight (0-2-1).

WHAT WENT RIGHT

The Islanders top line was buzzing all night and clicked the way fans dreamed of during the off-season. Barzal and Horvat have been good together at times this season, but there was extra bit of chemistry on display tonight. Overall, the line was a +11 with Barzal and Horvat each scoring twice.

"If you want to be considered a top guy and make a difference on this team, we got to go and do that job. Tonight, me and him went and did that," said Horvat after the game.

Barzal's four-point night was his second in his last three games.

WHAT WENT WRONG

The Fantilli goal 1:28 into the third period was disappointing althoght it was great to see how the Islanders responded after. They closed the second-period in a flurry and instead of carrying that momentum into the third period, they found themselves momentarily wondering if recent history was going to repeat itself. Luckily this time, Barzal answered with a goal 3:05 later to regain the two-goal and eventually send fans home happy.

STATS OF THE GAME

Per NHL PR, Bo Horvat scored twice in 20 seconds, marking the eighth-fastest two goals by one skater in franchise history. Pat LaFontaine holds the franchise mark (0:08 on Feb. 16, 1985) while Alexei Yashin is the last skater to do so faster (0:12 on March 25, 2003).

SOCIAL MEDIA MOMENT OF THE GAME

Horvat's two goals in 20 seconds, side-by-side.

WHAT'S NEXT

The Islanders welcome the Pacific Division-leading Los Angeles Kings to UBS Arena on Saturday night. Face-off is set for 7:30 PM EST.