Rapid Recap: Islanders 5, Blue Jackets 2

The New York Islanders closed out March on a high note, finishing a home-and-home set from the Columbus Blue Jackets with a 5-2 win at UBS Arena.
Sebastian Aho, Oliver Wahlstrom, Kyle Palmieri, Mathew Barzal and Ryan Pulock (ENG) scored for the Islanders, while Semyon Varlamov stopped 30 of 32. The win was the Islanders second in as many games against the Blue Jackets and they closed out March - the busiest month in team history - with a 10-6-1 record.
Emil Benstrom and Justin Danforth scored for the Blue Jackets, while Elvis Merzlikins stopped 31 of 35. With the win, the Islanders (69 points) points caught the Blue Jackets (69 points) in the standings, while holding two games in hand.

THE SCORING:
1st Period:
8:39 - NYI 1, CBJ 0 - Sebastian Aho scores his first goal of the season, beating Elvis Merzlikins short side from the half wall, sneaking a wrister through a screen. Brock Nelson picks up an assist, extending his point streak to six games (5G, 5A).
8:50 - NYI 2, CBJ 0 - The Islanders take a 2-0 lead 11 seconds later, as Zach Parise feeds a wide open Oliver Wahlstrom for an open look. Wahlstrom's goal is his 13th of the season, setting a new career-high. Mathew Barzal picks up the secondary assist.
2nd Period:
8:47 - NYI 2, CBJ 1 - Emil Benstrom gets position in front of the net and chips in an Eric Robinson pass by Semyon Varlamov. Jake Bean picks up the secondary assist.
10:26 - NYI 2, CBJ 2 - Justin Danforth posts up at the top of the crease and backhands a rebound through Varlamov's five-hole. Vladislav Gavrikov and Yegor Chinakhov with the assists.
3rd Period:
3:16 - NYI 3, CBJ 2 - Kyle Palmieri threads the needle over Merzlikins' shoulder from the right side. Palmieri's short-side shot pops in and out for his 12th goal of the season. Zdeno Chara and Josh Bailey with the assists.
9:52 - NYI 4, CBJ 2 - Mathew Barzal chips the puck between two Columbus defensemen and then skates through for a breakaway, making a few quick fakes before chipping a shot upstairs on Merzlikins.
19:03 - NYI 5, CBJ 2 - Ryan Pulock ices the game, hitting a long-range empty-netter.

NOTEBOOK:
Aho returned to the lineup after missing two games, replacing Andy Greene on the back end... The Islanders two goals in 11 seconds were the team's fastest pair of goals since Nov. 30, 2016, when Anders Lee and Nikolay Kulemin scored three seconds apart (per Brian Compton)... Semyon Varlamov made consecutive starts for the first time this season... JG Pageau had a team-high five shots on goal... Ryan Pulock blocked a team-high three shots.
GOALTENDING MATCHUP:
Semyon Varlamov stopped 30 of 32 in the win.
Elvis Merzlikins stopped 31 of 35 in the loss.
SPECIAL TEAMS:
The Islanders were 0-for-1 on the power play and 3-for-3 on the PK.
IMAGE OF THE GAME:

HIGHLIGHT OF THE NIGHT:

NEXT GAME:
The Islanders head to Madison Square Garden to take on the New York Rangers on Friday night. Puck drop is at 7 p.m.