Jaroslav Halak under siege as Islanders drop first game in key stretch

Islanders goalie Jaroslav Halak makes a save against the Blue Jackets during the first period at Barclays Center on Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2018. Photo Credit: Brad PennerCasey Cizikas called this week’s Islanders games “do-or-die for us.” Mathew Barzal called the three-game stretch against Metropolitan Division clubs that began Tuesday night with Columbus “the biggest games of the year, I think.”

At least there are two more “biggest games” left. The Islanders were severely outshot and mostly outplayed by the Blue Jackets in a 4-1 defeat at Barclays Center.

The Blue Jackets outshot the Islanders 51-30. Jaroslav Halak kept the home team in the game as long as he could, but Columbus took a 2-1 lead…