The struggling Columbus Blue Jackets gave the New York Islanders all they could, and the home team didn’t look terribly determined to avoid a second consecutive home loss to a bottom-feeding opponent, but ultimately the Isles prevailed for a 4-3 overtime win on Long Island.
It took three one-goal comebacks from the Isles, a sterling night from Brock Nelson, Sebastian Aho and Scott Mayfield, but finally the Islanders pulled ahead for their one and only time when Zach Parise converted a pass from J-G Pageau 39 seconds into overtime.
There are no free or easy nights this early in the NHL season, and the Isles would do well to take that lesson away from this close call.