The NY Islanders make up ground on the Pittsburgh Penguins and create space between teams on the bubble

It certainly wasn't pretty, but they got the job done. The NY Islanders won an ugly one tonight against the Columbus Blue Jackets, after the hockey gods were on their side.

Trailing 2-0 in the second period, the NY Islanders got on the board after a puck landed at the feet of Anders Lee, who hammered home his second goal in as many games to cut the deficit to one.

Tonight's results played into the Isles' favor

Just 22 seconds later, JG Pageau created a rebound after a shot from just inside the circle, following up his own shot that somehow found its way behind Jet Greaves. Rick Bowness elected to challenge the goal for goaltender interference, but the call was upheld as the score was knotted at two.

Scott Mayfield threw a harmless shot towards the goal that played pinball among the Columbus defenders and into the back of the net to give the Isles the lead, but the lead wouldn't last.

Adam Fantilli would tie the game at three as the game headed into OT. A Simon Holmstrom winner, as the Isles had just two guys on the ice, gave the Isles the two points, as they're now 9-0 in games that end in OT.

The Isles got some help from the NY Rangers tonight, as Igor Shesterkin played a magnificent game between the pipes and the Rangers fought back from a two goal defecit to beat the Pittsburgh Penguins in a shootout. After beating the Montreal Canadiens on Thursday night, the Habs and Noah Dobson did the Isles a favor tonight, easily handling the Washington Capitals, who are the team closest to the Islandersin the standings.

The Islanders are now tied with the Penguins for second place in the Metro Division, and have created a seven-point gap between themselves and the Blue Jackets.

The Isle sare back in action tomorrow night at home for the first time since the Olympic break.