The Upshot: The NY Islanders are back in playoff position after defeating Blue Jackets 4-2

HOW IT HAPPENED

It was one of the more dominant performances of the season for the NY Islanders as they beat the Columbus Blue Jackets 4-2 to take over the second Wild Card position in the Eastern Conference. The Islanders got on the board first off a Pierre Engvall deflection while on the power play. The two teams exchanged the next three goals, including Bo Horvat's 32nd of the season and a Kirill Marchenko goal from below the goal line which he banked off the mask of Ilya Sorokin. Knotted up at two into the final frame, the struggling Noah Dobson blew a shot past Jet Greaves (who entered the game for an injured Daniil Tarasov) to take a 3-2 lead. The Blue Jackets pulled the goaltender with over three minutes left, but a Kyle Palmieri empty net goal sealed the game.

WHAT WENT RIGHT

The Islanders were all over the Blue Jackets from the opening face off. They attempted 88 shots on the night, getting 41 through on goal. The defense stood its ground allowing very few high-danger opportunities, and Sorokin bounced back after allowing a bad goal. The combination of Horvat and Mat Barzal continues to shine, creating for each other and their teammates on nearly every shift.

WHAT WENT WRONG

Sorokin has struggled this season, and while he's still athletic as always, it appears to be more of a mental lapse. The goal allowed to Marchenko was another poor goal allowed from below the goal line. He could have allowed that to eat at him for the remainder of the game, but instead, he shut down the Blue Jackets, allowing two or fewer goals for the second night in a row.

STATS OF THE GAME

• The Islanders finished the night with 41 shots on goal, the first time they've reached that mark since the Stadium Series game.

• Noah Dobson recorded his ninth goal of the season and first since March 7 against the San Jose Sharks

• Horvat's first period goal was the 65th of the season - five off from his career high set last season.

SOCIAL MEDIA MOMENT OF THE GAME

After all the struggles this team has endured, they end the night in playoff position.

WHAT'S NEXT

The Islanders look to extend their win streak to four when they host the Nashville Predators on Saturday night at UBS Arena. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:30 pm.