The Isles are 8-5-7 in games decided by a single goal including 4-5 in regulation. They are 2-6 in games decided in overtime and are 2-1 in shootouts. The Isles are 3-8 in games in which an empty-net goal turns a 1-goal game into a 2-goal game.

The Blue Jackets never quite got going in a lackluster 3-1 loss to the Islanders to end their seven-game point streak.

This was the sort of effort which, if the Islanders could replicate it consistently, makes them look like a playoff contender.

Bo Horvat scored twice in New York’s three-goal second period, and the Islanders beat the Columbus Blue Jackets 3-1 on Monday night.

New York Islanders right wing Simon Holmstrom (10) reacts after scoring against Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Elvis Merzlikins (90) in the second period of an NHL hockey game Monday, Jan. 20 ...

Horvat's two goals in a dominating three-goal second period for the Islanders leave Blue Jackets scuffling with back-to-back defeats.

Kent Johnson (13-PPG) scored the only goal for Columbus, and Elvis Merzļikins stopped 22 of 25 Isles shots in a 3-1 loss Monday night. The Jackets played a decent first period and led after one, but it was a completely different story when the second came around.

Size, strength, experience and skill on faceoffs gave the Islanders a decided edge over the Blue Jackets: 3 takeways

The Islanders scored three goals in the second period and went on to a 3-1 win over the Blue Jackets on Monday.

The Isles scored a 3-1 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets at UBS Arena, closing the gap from eight points to six against a team that started the day in the second wild card spot in the Eastern Conference.

Bo Horvat scored twice in New York’s three-goal second period, and the Islanders beat the Columbus Blue Jackets 3-1 on Monday night. Simon Holmstrom also scored and Mathew