Fansided

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

Columbus Blue Jackets v New York Islanders
Columbus Blue Jackets v New York Islanders / Bruce Bennett/GettyImages

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 andΒ 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.

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