ELMONT, N.Y. — The Islanders extended their winning streak to three with a workmanlike 2-1 victory over the struggling Blue Jackets on Thursday night at UBS Arena, leapfrogging the Rangers to move back into a wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference.
Ilya Sorokin made 20 saves with his bid for a fourth shutout this season spoiled with 20.5 seconds left in regulation as Emil Bemstrom tipped defenseman Marcus Bjork’s shot with the Blue Jackets skating six-on-five. Sorokin was in net for all three wins on the homestand as he snapped a personal seven-game losing streak.
The injury-depleted Islanders (21-14-2) started Hudson Fasching on top-line center Mathew Barzal’s right wing. But he finished on Jean-Gabriel Pageau’s third line with Casey Cizikas, normally the fourth-line center, being elevated to Barzal’s line. Aatu Raty, in his third NHL game, again centered the fourth line, which included Ross Johnston, inserted into the lineup for the first time since Nov. 29.
