Bo Horvat scored twice in New York’s three-goal second period, and the Islanders beat the Columbus Blue Jackets 3-1.

The Islanders, seven points behind the Bruins for the Eastern Conference’s second wild-card spot, moved within six points of the surging Blue Jackets and improved to 2-2-0 on their seven-game homestand, which continues Friday night against the Flyers.

Kent Johnson scored for the Blue Jackets (22-18-7), who had their seven-game point streak end (6-0-1). Elvis Merzlikins made 22 saves.

This was the sort of effort which, if the Islanders could replicate it consistently, makes them look like a playoff contender.

Bo Horvat scored twice in New York’s three-goal second period, and the Islanders beat the Columbus Blue Jackets 3-1 on Monday night.

NEW YORK (AP) — Bo Horvat scored twice in New York's three-goal second period, and the Islanders beat the Columbus Blue Jackets 3-1 on Monday night. Simon Holmstrom also scored and Mathew Barzal ...

As the NHL season progresses, two unexpected contenders have emerged in the Eastern Conference playoff race: the New York Islanders and the Columbus Blue Jackets.

“In what was GM Patrik Allvin’s first major move with the organization, the Canucks traded Bo Horvat to the New York Islanders for Anthony Beauvillier, Aatu Räty and a 2023 conditional first-round pick. Fast forward two years later, there is still a debate on this trade and whether or not Vancouver moved the right player.

Here are five key EDGE stats for the Islanders entering the stretch run of the season:

Cole Sillinger's OT winner, Fantilli's goal in 100th NHL game and Merzlikins' goaltending gem lead Blue Jackets to victoiry in Vegas: takeaways

Columbus kicked off a key road trip with a big victory thanks to a dedication to the defensive side of the puck

Cole Sillinger, back in the lineup after missing three games with a bruised hand, called checkmate only 52 seconds into overtime, scoring the first OT winner of his career in the Blue Jackets’ 2-1 victory over the Vegas Golden Knights before 17,783 in T-Mobile Arena.