Final
Blue Jackets boost playoff hopes by blanking Isles
Apr 7, 2014 - 2:31 AM Columbus, OH (SportsNetwork.com) - The Columbus Blue Jackets used a potent power play to bounce back from a deflating loss.The Blue Jackets scored three times with the man advantage in a 4-0 win over the New York Islanders.
With every point of great importance, Columbus had at least one slip through its grasp Friday, losing to the Chicago Blackhawks on a goal in the waning seconds of regulation.
The Blue Jackets secured two crucial points Sunday to close within one of Detroit for the first wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference.
Sergei Bobrovsky made 31 saves in his career-high 29th win of the season.
"This is a huge win," Columbus forward Matt Calvert said. "We needed these two points badly. Our power play came up big and (Bobrovsky) was great."
Anders Nilsson surrendered four goals on 33 shots as the Islanders saw their point streak end at seven games (5-0-2).
Boone Jenner opened the scoring on Columbus' first power play. The puck sat in the crease after going through Nilsson's pads and Jenner pushed it across the goal line at 4:26 of the opening period.
Jack Johnson beat Nilsson with a one-timed blast from high in the right circle on another power play to make it 2-0 at 13:10 of the first.
Mark Letestu finished off a give-and-go with Jenner by putting the puck into an open net for the Columbus' lone even-strength tally just past the midway point of the second period.
Back on the power play, Ryan Murray was in the high slot and hammered a feed from Cam Atkinson behind Nilsson with 1:07 to play in the middle frame.
"It's tough when you're in the box all night," Islanders head coach Jack Capuano said. "[The penalty kill] wasn't very good. For whatever reason they picked us apart a little bit."
Game Notes
Bobrovsky registered his fifth shutout of the season and ninth of his career ... Islanders defenseman Scott Mayfield made his NHL debut ... New York forward Michael Grabner (upper-body injury) and defenseman Calvin de Haan (lower-body injury) each missed the game.
- NEW YORK: 0
COLUMBUS: 4
Final
Apr 6 8:36 PM - NEW YORK: 0
COLUMBUS: 4
End of 2nd
Apr 6 7:39 PM - Columbus Power-Play Goal - Ryan Murray (17), at 18:53.
Islanders 0, Blue Jackets 4 2nd - 1:07Apr 6 7:37 PM - Columbus Goal - Mark Letestu (9), from Boone Jenner at 10:11.
Islanders 0, Blue Jackets 3 2nd - 9:49Apr 6 7:17 PM - NEW YORK: 0
COLUMBUS: 2
End of 1st
Apr 6 6:43 PM - Columbus Power-Play Goal - Boone Jenner (14), at 4:26.
Islanders 0, Blue Jackets 1 1st - 15:34Apr 6 6:15 PM - NEW YORK: 0
COLUMBUS: 0
1st Period - 20:00
Apr 6 6:08 PM
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