In Columbus, the visiting New York Islanders took a 4-2 lead into the third period and then hung on for a 4-3 win over the Blue Jackets on Tuesday night.
Brock Nelson had goal in his fourth straight game for New York.
“Brock has stayed hot,” New York coach Barry Trotz said. ” … The top two lines the last 10 games have been pretty good.”
Semyon Varlamov made 42 saves in the Isles win.
“Just another solid game from him,” New York’s Anders Lee said of Varlamov. “He stepped up when we needed him most and was the reason why we won tonight.”
Vladislav Gavrikov hit for a double for the Blue Jackets.
“It’s always nice to score goals, but it’s more important for me to win,” Gavrikov said. “We had a couple opportunities to tie it up.”
New York improved to 9-27-9.
Gavrikov and Nelson exchanged goals in the first period for a 1-1 tie.
Josh Bailey put the Islanders up 2-1 before the end of the period.
Anthony Beauvillier and Zach Parise scored in the middle frame for a 4-1 lead to New York.
“I think it’s really building every game and I think the more and more you play with guys, the more success you have,” Lee said. “The way Brock is playing now is pretty great and incredible.”
Gavrikov cut it to 4-2 heading to the third.
“The first two periods, we were fine,” Trotz said. “We played well. I thought in the third period, we just sat back. We just didn’t play.”
Columbus fell to 32-30-5.
Elvis Merzlikins made 25 saves in the Blue Jackets loss.
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