UNIONDALE, N.Y. (AP) — The Columbus Blue Jackets played with moxie and grit much to the approval of coach John Tortorella.
Vladislav Gavrikov scored late in the third period to lift the surging Blue Jackets over the New York Islanders 3-2 on Monday night for their fifth straight victory. The defenseman swiped a backhand past netminder Thomas Greiss at 16:31 for his fourth goal of the season, with assists by Alexandre Texier and Pierre-Luc Dubois.
Joonas Korpisalo made 35 saves and Columbus improved to 6-0-2 in its last eight games. The Finnish goaltender has all 17 wins for the Blue Jackets this season, and his team went into the three-day Christmas break on a positive note.