ELMONT, N.Y. — More than four months ago, the Islanders beat the Jets in Winnipeg for their second straight regulation win.
But that was the last time they strung together consecutive wins in regulation until Friday night, when the Islanders beat the Jets again, 5-2, at UBS Arena. They were coming off a dominating 6-0 win over the visiting Blue Jackets on Thursday night and got Mathew Barzal and defensemen Zdeno Chara back into the lineup after each missed six games with an injury.
It may be too little, too late to pull the Islanders (23-24-8) back into playoff position as Friday’s win moved them within 18 points of the Capitals for the Eastern Conference’s final wild-card spot.