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

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 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,

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

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.

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.

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 had two assists as the Islanders won their second straight and fifth in seven games.

The Flyers points streak came to an end on Thursday night against the Rangers. The good news is that they immediately get a chance to erase that result on Friday night. The Flyers face the New York Islanders for the second time in eight days, as the two meet once again on Long Island. Game time is 7:30 p.m.

The Philadelphia Flyers (22-21-6) visit the New York Islanders (19-20-7) Friday. Puck drop from UBS Arena is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Let's analyze BetMGM Sportsbook's NHL odds ar

Receiving starting nod