Nelson has goal, assist for Islanders in win against Blue Jackets

COLUMBUS --Brock Nelson extended his goal streak to four games and had an assist when the New York Islanders defeated the Columbus Blue Jackets 4-3 at Nationwide Arena on Tuesday.

Nelson has scored 17 goals in 22 games since Feb. 17, tied with Auston Matthews of the Toronto Maple Leafs for the most in the NHL in that span.
"Brock has stayed hot," New York coach Barry Trotz said. " … The top two lines the last 10 games have been pretty good."

Semyon Varlamov made 42 saves, and Anders Lee and Mathew Barzal each had two assists for the Islanders (29-27-9), who lost their previous two games.
"Just another solid game from him," Lee said of Varlamov. "He stepped up when we needed him most and was the reason why we won tonight."
Vladislav Gavrikov scored twice, Patrik Laine had two assists, and Elvis Merzlikins made 25 saves for the Blue Jackets (32-30-5). They have lost four in a row (0-2-2).
"It's always nice to score goals, but it's more important for me to win," Gavrikov said. "We had a couple opportunities to tie it up."

Gavrikov gave Columbus a 1-0 lead at 7:20 of the first period on a rebound of Laine's one-timer from above the right face-off circle.
Nelson tied it 1-1 at 11:47 on the power play, his fifth goal during a four-game streak.
Josh Bailey gave New York a 2-1 lead at 15:09 with a shot from between the face-off circles after a pass from Jean-Gabriel Pageau.
Anthony Beauvillier extended the lead to 3-1 at 3:47 of the second period. Nelson's shot off the crossbar went to the left corner, where Beauvillier scored from a sharp angle.
The line of Lee, Nelson and Beauvillier combined to score four points.
"I think it's really building every game and I think the more and more you play with guys, the more success you have," Lee said. "The way Brock is playing now is pretty great and incredible."

Zach Parise made it 4-1 at 9:10 with a backdoor redirect at the left post off a pass from Noah Dobson.
Gavrikov cut it to 4-2 at 13:32. His initial shot was blocked in the low slot, but he followed the play and scored on a backhand.
"He's usually at his best at the other end, but obviously a [heck] of a goal scorer as well," Laine said. "It was kind of nice the D is starting to activate a little bit. He made great reads on both goals."
Oliver Bjorkstrand scored at 4:30 of the third period for the 4-3 final.
Columbus outshot New York 16-3 in the third.
"The first two periods, we were fine," Trotz said. "We played well. I thought in the third period, we just sat back. We just didn't play."
NOTES: The Blue Jackets were without coach Brad Larsen and assistant Steve McCarthy, who entered NHL COVID-19 protocol before the game. Assistant Pascal Vincent ran their bench. … Nelson's goal was the 200th of his NHL career. He has scored 13 goals in March, the most in a single month by an Islanders player since Zigmund Palffy scored 13 in March of 1996. … Cory Schneider was recalled by New York from Bridgeport of the American Hockey League and served as the backup goalie. Ilya Sorokin did not travel after he sustained an upper-body injury in a 4-1 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning on Sunday. … Islanders forward Matt Martin played his 800th NHL game. … Columbus defenseman Andrew Peeke had an assist in his 100th NHL game. … Bjorkstrand set an NHL career high in goals (24). He scored 23 in 2018-19. … Blue Jackets forward Jakub Voracek has a six-game point streak (two goals four assists).