The New York Islanders and Columbus Blue Jackets recently faced off in a thrilling NHL game on January 20, 2025, at UBS Arena in Belmont Park
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. The Islanders managed to secure a 3-1 victory, ending the Blue Jackets’ impressive seven-game point streak
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The game started off with the Blue Jackets taking an early lead thanks to Kent Johnson’s power-play goal just 36 seconds into the first period
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. However, the Islanders quickly turned things around in the second period. Bo Horvat scored two goals, assisted by Mathew Barzal, to give the Islanders a 3-1 lead
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. Simon Holmstrom also contributed with a shorthanded goal, marking his first since returning from injury
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The Islanders’ special teams were particularly impressive, going 1-for-2 on the power play and successfully killing off three of four penalties
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. Ilya Sorokin made 25 saves to secure the win, while Elvis Merzlikins stopped 22 shots for the Blue Jackets
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This victory was crucial for the Islanders, who climbed within seven points of the second wildcard spot in the Eastern Conference
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. On the other hand, the Blue Jackets fell to one point behind both the Boston Bruins and Ottawa Senators in the race for a playoff spot
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The game was a testament to the Islanders’ resilience and ability to capitalize on key moments. Despite a slow start in the first period, they dominated the second period with a strong offensive push and solid defensive play
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. The Blue Jackets, who had been on a roll with a six-game winning streak and a seven-game point streak, couldn’t maintain their momentum against the determined Islanders
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The Islanders’ victory was a much-needed boost for the team, and they will look to build on this momentum in their upcoming games
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. The Blue Jackets, meanwhile, will need to regroup and refocus as they continue their challenging road trip
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For more details and highlights of the game, you can watch the full game recap on ESPN: Blue Jackets vs. Islanders (Jan 20, 2025) Box Score – ESPN
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Do you think the Islanders can maintain this level of play and secure a playoff spot?
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New York Islanders Hockey Now
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TheHockey Writers
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www.espn.com
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