Islanders sweep home-and-home against Blue Jackets

ELMONT, N.Y. --Mathew Barzal had a goal and an assist, and the New York Islanders swept a home-and-home series against the Columbus Blue Jackets with a 5-2 win at UBS Arena on Thursday.

Barzal scored four points (one goal, three assists) in the two games.
"I think it just comes down to pride," Barzal said. "We're professionals here, and at the end of the day, we're building towards something that's bigger than catching Columbus or anything. We're building towards winning a Stanley Cup. Whenever that time comes and we get that opportunity, we're just trying to be ready for it."

Sebastian Aho and Oliver Wahlstrom scored 11 seconds apart in the first period for the Islanders (30-27-9), who won 4-3 at Columbus on Tuesday. Semyon Varlamov, who was making consecutive starts for the first time this season, made 30 saves.
"Everybody's contributing, which leads to more success," New York coach Barry Trotz said. "There's no quit in the group here. There hasn't been all year. There's been, at times, maybe some frustration, but there's never been any quit where they throw up their hands and walk away. There's none of that at all."
Emil Bemstrom and Justin Danforth scored for the Blue Jackets (32-31-5), who have lost five in a row for the first time this season (0-3-2). Elvis Merzlikins made 31 saves.
"We had our chances," Columbus assistant Pascal Vincent said. "You look at the initial report, the scoring chances are pretty much even. Their goalie made some big saves, too.
"But you don't want to have that kind of start, that's for sure."
Aho scored his first goal of the season at 8:39 of the first with a wrist shot from the right face-off circle. Wahlstrom then made it 2-0 at 8:50 on a one-timer off a pass from Zach Parise on a 2-on-1.
"It's always good to get the first goal and kind of get rolling," Aho said. "We scored straight after again and you get the momentum going. … We kind of fell off a little bit in the second, but stuff happens. But I thought we took care of business in the third. It all comes from a good start."

Columbus responded with two goals in a 1:39 span in the second period.
Bemstrom cut it to 2-1 at 8:47, redirecting a backhand centering pass from Eric Robinson at the top of the crease, and Danforth tied it 2-2 at 10:26 on a rebound in front.
"The mindset with this group, no matter how many goals we're down, especially since the All-Star break, the way we've been playing, we're not out of any game," Blue Jackets defenseman Andrew Peeke said. "We've found ways to come back in games, get two points, get a point. But tonight, we couldn't get it done. Obviously, it's not ideal starting down 2-0, so hopefully the next game (at the Boston Bruins on Saturday), we can start with the lead."
Kyle Palmieri put New York back in front 3-2 at 3:16 of the third period, scoring over Merzlikins' left shoulder with a shot from low in the right circle. It was his first goal in eight games.

Barzal extended the lead to 4-2 on a breakaway at 9:52, and Ryan Pulock scored an empty-net goal with 57 seconds left for the 5-2 final.
"We knew they were going to have a push," Palmieri said. "It was 2-2 going into the third at home, so we were excited for the opportunity. We went out and played our game and got the result we wanted."
NOTES:The Islanders played 17 games (10-6-1) in March, the most in a calendar month in their history. They play again on Friday at the New York Rangers. … Washlstrom's goal was his 13th this season, an NHL career high. … Islanders defenseman Andy Greene did not play because of an undisclosed injury and will be a game-time decision Friday. Goalie Ilya Sorokin (upper body) is not expected to be available. … The Blue Jackets were without coach Brad Larsen and assistant Steve McCarthy after each entered NHL COVID-19 protocol Tuesday. … Columbus defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov had an assist and scored three points (two goals) in the home-and-home set. … Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski missed his second straight game because of an upper-body injury. He will also be out Saturday.