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

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The Philadelphia Flyers squandered a pair of one-goal leads Tuesday night but at least managed to salvage a point in a game that may end up having playoff implications.

The Columbus Blue Jackets continue their road trip as they clash with the New York Islanders. Any win or overtime loss will extend the Blue Jackets’ point streak to eight straight games. Since I last wrote,

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

Zach Werenski scored twice for Columbus ... Both teams return to action Thursday. The Flyers visit the New York Islanders, while the Blue Jackets host the San Jose Sharks. Stay logged in. The Newsday app makes it easier to access content without having ...

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.

Columbus is 8-14-3 on the road and 25-21-8 in 54 all-time games against the Islanders. The Blue Jackets beat the Isles in their only meeting this season. Elvis Merzļikins had a shutout. Anders Lee leads the Isles with 20 goals and 36 points. Elvis Merzlikins is 2-3 with a .922 SV% against the Islanders.

Result: The Islanders are playing faster hockey (a necessity in the NHL), are breaking the puck out of their defensive zone quickly and cleanly and are able to sustain momentum shift to shift as one group of players can build upon the forecheck or physicality of the players returning to the bench.

This is a team coming out of its rebuild and into its build phase. It has the potential to contend as it matures and as the roster is further tweaked.

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,