The New York Islanders visited one of their primary and hottest competitors for Metropolitan Division seeding and playoff position and ruthlessly dismissed the Columbus Blue Jackets in front of their home fans.
The Blue Jackets entered on a four-game winning streak, but Thursday night the cannon never fired. The Islanders were coming off a regulation loss in Buffalo where Barry Trotz said they got off their game, were “too cute.”
That wasn’t the case tonight. The Islanders structure was strong, Thomas Griess was stellar in a 31-save shutout, and Casey Cizikas scored two(!