The Isles are 8-5-7 in games decided by a single goal including 4-5 in regulation. They are 2-6 in games decided in overtime and are 2-1 in shootouts. The Isles are 3-8 in games in which an empty-net goal turns a 1-goal game into a 2-goal game.

Though Marcus Hogberg has been solid, coach Patrick Roy said Sorokin will be in net for the important game against Columbus at UBS.

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

Backed by Sorokin's 25 saves, the Islanders defeated the Blue Jackets 3-1 in a key divisional matchup. ELMONT NY -- Desperate to stay in the playoff race, the New York Islanders defeated the Columbus Blue Jackets by a score of 3-1 at UBS Arena Monday night.

Bo Horvat scored twice in the second period Monday night for the host New York Islanders, who beat the Columbus Blue Jackets 3-1 in Elmont, N.Y. Simon Holmstrom's short-handed goal in the second proved to be the game-winner for the Islanders,

Horvat's two goals in a dominating three-goal second period for the Islanders leave Blue Jackets scuffling with back-to-back defeats.

The Islanders scored three goals in the second period and went on to a 3-1 win over the Blue Jackets on Monday.

Bo Horvat scored twice in New York's three-goal second period, and the Islanders beat the Columbus Blue Jackets 3-1. Simon Holmstrom also scored and Mathew Barzal had two assists as the Islanders won their second straight and fifth in seven games.

The Isles scored a 3-1 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets at UBS Arena, closing the gap from eight points to six against a team that started the day in the second wild card spot in the Eastern Conference.

Final Thoughts: The Islanders last faced the Blue Jackets on Oct. 30, when they were shut out 2-0. That was the game in which Mathew Barzal suffered his long-term upper-body injury. The gap between the Islanders and Columbus is eight points right now.

The New York Islanders (19-20-7) took over a second straight game in the second period, bowling over the Columbus Blue Jackets (22-18-7). The game finished X-1, with Bo Horvat’s second-period pair lifting the Islanders to the win.

The Blue Jackets never quite got going in a lackluster 3-1 loss to the Islanders to end their seven-game point streak.