The Blue Jackets of Columbus are an intra-divisional rival of the Islanders. This Metropolitan division tilt against the rival Blue Jackets was an important game for the Islanders. They came out flying, completely dominating the first period against the Blue Jackets, en route to a 3-2 win. The Islanders scored two goals in 29 seconds late in the third period. It is crucial to win games against division rivals, as evidenced by the recent victory over the Washington Capitals. The goal was his fourth of the year, which tied him for the lead in scoring among defensemen. How many goals do you think Schafer will score this season?
Blue Jacket Lose To Islanders 3-2
The Blue Jackets are coming off a win, having beaten the Blues 3-2 last night. Having just played it makes fans wonder why the Blue Jackets came out so flat. The second period was more competitive, and the Blue Jackets scored to even the game. The Islanders dominated the Blue Jackets in the first period, maybe playing their best period of the season, when they outshot Columbus 18-4.
Here is the scoring summary of the 4-1 Islanders’ victory against the Blue Jackets. In the first period, there was one goal scored. Matthew Schaefer scored his fourth goal of the season, on the power play, and the Islanders led 1-0. That is how the first period ended.
In the second period, the Blue Jackets evened the game at one. Miles Wood scored for Columbus. That was his fourth goal of the season. That was the only goal of the second period, and it was clear the Islanders had lost all of the momentum they had built in the first period.
In the third period, Denton Mateychuk scored for Columbus. They led 2-1, despite being outplayed for much of the game. There were fewer than 10 minutes left, and fans had to think it was unlikely the Islanders the Islanders were going to tie the game. Then the Islanders took a late penalty. Columbus then took a penalty. Matthew Schaefer scored for the Islanders. Then Simon Holmstrom scored for the Islanders, giving them a last-minute 3-2 win.
Islanders Come Out Flying Against the Blue Jackets
The first period tonight for the Islanders was magical. It was probably the best period the Islanders played all year, and may have been better than any period they played last year. The Islanders outshot the Blue Jackets 18-4, but they only scored that one goal. Sure enough, Columbus tied the game at one in the second period. The Islanders had the Blue Jackets on the ropes and let them off the hook.
News and Notes
Cal Ritchie was in the lineup again tonight. It was his second game of his career for the Islanders. He played fairly well in the first game he played for the Islanders.
David Rittich got the start for the Islanders in this game. The last time he played, he allowed six goals. However, those goals were not his fault, as they came on shots from right in front of the net. So-called ‘high-danger’ chances. He earned his start with his effort.
David Rittich played on Thursday against the Hurricanes. Sorokin got the start against Washington on Friday. In his career, Sorokin is 4-5-1 lifetime against the Capitals with a .920 SV% and a 2.41 GAA. However, he has struggled mightily this season.
Related, the Islanders played better tonight. There were relatively few high danger chances for Columbus. Clearly, this was a focus for the Islanders.
Islander defenseman Matthew Scaefer has been compared to Columbus defenseman Zach Werneski. Werenski has scored a goal in three straight games and has three consecutive multipoint games (3-3-6). … He is now tied for first in the National Hockey League among defensemen in goals (four), tied for fifth in points (10), and tied for fourth in plus/minus (plus-9). Schaefer has five goals now, which leads all defensemen.
Conclusion
The Islanders need to win games on this home stand, so this was a good one. It was good that they got a win against a tough division opponent. The Blue Jackets came in 7-4. The Islanders play two more games at home this week, before playing the Rangers in Madison Square Garden on Saturday. That is the first game of a seven-game road trip for them.
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