Defensive struggle against Golden Knights decided by Sillinger in Vegas to cap his return to the Blue Jackets' lineup.

Though Marcus Hogberg has been solid, coach Patrick Roy said Sorokin will be in net for the important game against Columbus at UBS.

This was the sort of effort which, if the Islanders could replicate it consistently, makes them look like a playoff contender.

The Isles are 8-5-7 in games decided by a single goal including 4-5 in regulation. They are 2-6 in games decided in overtime and are 2-1 in shootouts. The Isles are 3-8 in games in which an empty-net goal turns a 1-goal game into a 2-goal game.

Backed by Sorokin's 25 saves, the Islanders defeated the Blue Jackets 3-1 in a key divisional matchup. ELMONT NY -- Desperate to stay in the playoff race, the New York Islanders defeated the Columbus Blue Jackets by a score of 3-1 at UBS Arena Monday night.

Cole Sillinger, who missed the previous three games because of an upper-body injury, scored on a rebound 52 seconds into overtime to give the Columbus Blue Jackets a 2-1 victory over the Vegas Golden Knights.

Bo Horvat scored twice in the second period Monday night for the host New York Islanders, who beat the Columbus Blue Jackets 3-1 in Elmont, N.Y. Simon Holmstrom's short-handed goal in the second proved to be the game-winner for the Islanders,

Ilya Sorokin made 25 saves. Kent Johnson scored for Columbus and Elvis Merzlikins had 22 saves, but the Blue Jackets ended a seven-game point streak (6-0-1). The Islanders scored three goals in a span of 5:04 in the second period to take the 3-1 lead and ...

LAS VEGAS -- Cole Sillinger scored 52 seconds into overtime to give the Columbus Blue Jackets a 2-1 victory against the Vegas Golden Knights at T-Mobile Arena on Thursday. Adam Fantilli scored in his 100th career NHL game and Elvis Merzlikins made 25 saves for the Blue Jackets (25-19-7), who have won two in a row.

Bo Horvat scored twice in New York's three-goal second period, and the Islanders beat the Columbus Blue Jackets 3-1. Simon Holmstrom also scored and Mathew Barzal had two assists as the Islanders won their second straight and fifth in seven games.

Final Thoughts: The Islanders last faced the Blue Jackets on Oct. 30, when they were shut out 2-0. That was the game in which Mathew Barzal suffered his long-term upper-body injury. The gap between the Islanders and Columbus is eight points right now.

The Blue Jackets never quite got going in a lackluster 3-1 loss to the Islanders to end their seven-game point streak.