Islanders Secure Crucial Win, Tie for Third

It's March 23rd, I'm Cory with the story, and this is NHL News today, your AI Power

Team Report.

The New York Islanders grab a crucial one-nothing win over the Columbus Blue Jackets on Sunday

night at home.

Ilya Sarokin started with 26 saves for his league-leading seventh shutout of the season.

Bo Horvatt scored the game's only goal just one minute and 25 seconds in, off a smart

pass from Anders Lee during an odd man rush.

During off two tough losses in Canada, the Islanders treated it like a zero-zero battle

all night, as Coach Patrick Roy instructed.

That approach paid off, tying them with Columbus at 85 points for third in the Metropolitan

Division, though the Blue Jackets have a game in.

And players felt the boost right away.

Horvatt said holding the lead built real confidence for the stretch run.

Even without top defenseman Ryan Poulac, they clamped down hard, allowing just five shots

in the second period and staying penalty free.

Sarokin bounced back strong after getting pulled the night before in Montreal, starting

on back-to-back days for the first time this year.

He called it a simple effort, backed by solid team defense in a high stakes matchup.

Now sitting as the East Second Wildcard, one point behind Boston and ahead of Detroit

and Ottawa, the Islanders faced ten of their final twelve, games at home.

Though need more shut down efforts like this one, when Chicago visits Tuesday, keeping

the pressure on in this tight playoff chase.