Game Preview: Blue Jackets, Islanders Face Off Thursday In First Of Three March Meetings

NEW YORK ISLANDERS

21–24–8 (50 points; .472%) ROSTER / SCHEDULE

7:00 P.M. – THURSDAY, MARCH 10TH UBS ARENA ELMONT, NY

Bally Sports Ohio ESPN+ (Out of Network)

For the first time in nearly five months, the Columbus Blue Jackets and New York Islanders will renew their Metro-division rivalry Thursday night when Boone Jenner and company make their first-ever trip to Elmont, New York.

Elmont is the home to the brand-new UBS Arena, which opened in November. The Islanders were thought of as a Stanley Cup-contender coming into the season have been one of the biggest disappointments across the league this season — especially struggling to find their footing at their new home. After a record-long road trip to begin the season as they waited on the completion of their new digs, the Islanders are sub-.500 (11-12-4) in Elmont.

The Blue Jackets have struggled over the last week as well, despite the longest homestand of the season. Columbus has four points in their last six games (five at home), but just one win to show for it. They've been competitive though, playing in five consecutive one-goal games — their longest one-goal game streak dating back to March 2021.

RE: ISLES

Thursday's game is the fourth game in a six-game homestand for New York, whose first three have all been decided by one goal. Most recently, they lost 5-4 to the Colorado Avalanche — but made a spirited comeback effort after being down 4-1 with less than nine minutes left in the game.

The Islanders defense and goaltending has been strong, as expected. New York ranks 9th in the league in goals against average, and are one good night away from going as high as 6th. 

The offense, however, has been a crux. The Isles 2.57 per game average puts them 27th in the league in offense, and no single Islander has yet hit the 40-point mark on the season — something that 30 of the other 31 teams have done. (Sorry, Seattle.)

Matthew Barzal's 37 points leads the team, and the 24-year-old center's 25 assists leads the club, as well. Barzal's 12 goals ranks the club, behind only Anders Lee's 16 goals and Brock Nelson's 21. 

STORYLINES

• LAINE'S STREAKIN'... AGAIN
  Patrik Laine's second-best point streak of his career ended at the end of February after 11 consecutive games with at least one point... and now he's starting another one. Laine's late goal in Monday's 5-4 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs gave him his 4th consecutive game with a point. That's now tied for his second-longest streak as a member of the Blue Jackets, where Laine has played 83 games (32-31-63). 
   
• NEEDED: GOOD GOALTENDING
  The Blue Jackets youth on the blue line has led to some prolonged struggles with giving up a high quality and high quantity of chances. That's going to lead to some big goal totals by the opposition at times, but every now and then a team needs bailed out with strong goaltending play. That simply has not there for the Blue Jackets. Elvis Merzlikins has allowed three or more goals in seven consecutive starts, and a woeful .886 save percentage. Columbus made a long-term commitment to Elvis in the form of a five-year extension that kicks off next season; he needs to earn that money. The Islanders struggle to score goals — the type of team that Columbus desperately needs to go up against right now. Joonas Korpisalo, who has returned from injury, is likely to start either Thursday or Friday (vs. Minnesota), and a good start or two from him over the next two weeks could add to his trade value before the March 21st deadline.

PROJECTED LINES*

*SUBJECT TO CHANGE