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Columbus Blue Jackets win in OT, defeat New York Islanders for second straight win

brian hedger, the columbus dispatch
·3 min read
Mar 24, 2023; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets center Boone Jenner (38) celebrates scoring the game-winning goal with left wing Johnny Gaudreau (13) during overtime of the NHL hockey game against the New York Islanders at Nationwide Arena. The Blue Jackets won 5-4. Mandatory Credit: Adam Cairns-The Columbus Dispatch
Mar 24, 2023; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets center Boone Jenner (38) celebrates scoring the game-winning goal with left wing Johnny Gaudreau (13) during overtime of the NHL hockey game against the New York Islanders at Nationwide Arena. The Blue Jackets won 5-4. Mandatory Credit: Adam Cairns-The Columbus Dispatch

The talk of the night was Kent Johnson’s lacrosse-style goal, but the Blue Jackets still had a game to finish Friday at Nationwide Arena.

Johnson’s goal put Columbus up 3-2 with 2:54 left in the second period, but the New York Islanders ― who fell behind 4-2 on a goal by Eric Robinson 42 seconds later — weren't ready to roll over.

They needed the points for a playoff hunt and got one by tying it 4-4 with two goals to start the third period, setting the stage for the Blue Jackets to win 5-4 in overtime on Boone Jenner’s team-leading 25th goal.

“We built a lead and you certainly don’t want to give it up, but it allowed us to just hang on,” Blue Jackets coach Brad Larsen said. “We got the power play and the power play was huge for us.”

Mar 24, 2023; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets center Boone Jenner (38) deflects the game-winning goal past New York Islanders goaltender Ilya Sorokin (30) during overtime of the NHL hockey game at Nationwide Arena. The Blue Jackets won 5-4. Mandatory Credit: Adam Cairns-The Columbus Dispatch
Mar 24, 2023; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets center Boone Jenner (38) deflects the game-winning goal past New York Islanders goaltender Ilya Sorokin (30) during overtime of the NHL hockey game at Nationwide Arena. The Blue Jackets won 5-4. Mandatory Credit: Adam Cairns-The Columbus Dispatch

Jenner capped a 4-on-3 power play 40 seconds into overtime for the winner by tipping a shot by defenseman Adam Boqvist past Islanders goalie Ilya Sorokin, who dropped to 4-0-2 in six career games against Columbus.

"We had a good second, got ourselves back into it," Jenner said. "They were going to push in the third, they got (two) and I just liked how we responded. We got our feet back under us and were able to get the extra (point)."

Johnny Gaudreau and rookie Liam Foudy scored the other two goals for the Blue Jackets (23-41-7), who’ve won their past two games and three of their past six in overtime periods. Michael Hutchinson earned his first goaltending win for Columbus since being acquired in a deal with the Vegas Golden Knights before the March 3 trade deadline.

Mar 24, 2023; Columbus, Ohio, USA; New York Islanders left wing Anders Lee (27) and defenseman Noah Dobson (8) celebrate a goal by center Brock Nelson (29) during the third period of the NHL hockey game against the New York Islanders at Nationwide Arena. The Blue Jackets won 5-4 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Adam Cairns-The Columbus Dispatch
Mar 24, 2023; Columbus, Ohio, USA; New York Islanders left wing Anders Lee (27) and defenseman Noah Dobson (8) celebrate a goal by center Brock Nelson (29) during the third period of the NHL hockey game against the New York Islanders at Nationwide Arena. The Blue Jackets won 5-4 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Adam Cairns-The Columbus Dispatch

Brock Nelson scored two goals for the Islanders in his return from injury and New York's other two goals came from Zach Parise and Kyle Palmieri.

Combined with an improbable 7-6 comeback win in overtime Tuesday in Washington, the Blue Jackets (53 points) climbed out of last in the NHL by percentage points over the San Jose Sharks (53 points). Columbus is two points from passing the Chicago Blackhawks (54 points) for 30th place and each rung up they climb in the final 11 games significantly reduces the Jackets’ odds to win an important May 8 draft lottery.

Mar 24, 2023; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets center Hunter McKown (41) skates past New York Islanders center Casey Cizikas (53) during the third period of the NHL hockey game at Nationwide Arena. The Blue Jackets won 5-4 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Adam Cairns-The Columbus Dispatch
Mar 24, 2023; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets center Hunter McKown (41) skates past New York Islanders center Casey Cizikas (53) during the third period of the NHL hockey game at Nationwide Arena. The Blue Jackets won 5-4 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Adam Cairns-The Columbus Dispatch

That’s a concern for fans and the front office. Players and coaches are intent on finishing the season strong, including a host of rookies and other youngsters that included center Hunter McKown assisting on Robinson's goal for his first NHL point in his debut game.

“We’re a young group,” Larsen said. “I believe we’re the youngest, but they care. They care about each other and they’re going through it together. … they keep pushing. It’s great to see.”

The Blue Jackets left after the game to conclude a back-to-back against the Montreal Canadiens on Saturday night at Bell Centre.

bhedger@dispatch.com

@BrianHedger

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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Columbus Blue Jackets down New York Islanders in overtime