The New York Islanders maintained the top wild card position by earning a regulation point but will have to feel an opportunity was missed as they lost 5-4 in overtime in Columbus, to a Blue Jackets team that is battling the Sharks for last place in the league.
If there is some solace, beyond the single standings point, it’s that the Islanders achieved it with an impressive third-period push to erase a two-goal deficit. That they entered the third period trailing 4-2 was not quite an indication of how most of the game had gone; it was tied 2-2 late in the second before the Isles were stung by an impressive individual display by Kent Johnson followed by a quick insurance game that turned the game upside down.