Islanders Secure Crucial Win, Tie for Third

0:00It'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

1:02on 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.