Recap: Greiss, Isles Find Groove In Shutout vs Blue Jackets

Thomas Greiss recorded a 31-save shutout, while Ryan Pulock and Anders Lee provided the offense in a 2-0 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets on Monday night at NYCB Live.
Physicality defined Monday's contest, as the Isles and Blue Jackets went hit-for-hit in a spirited, low-scoring affair that resembled the gritty hockey usually reserved for April and May. Perhaps a slugfest against a desperate division rival was what the Islanders needed to get back to their grinding, defensive identity.
"I think that's what we needed to get out of the little rut we were in," Cal Clutterbuck said. "We just needed someone coming in who is hungry and ready to play and who forces us to elevate our level. I think we elevated our level."
BOXSCORE | TROTZ POSTGAME | THE SKINNY

Video: Greiss earns Monday's Pepsi Zero Sugar Shutout

GREISS RECORDS FIFTH SHUTOUT OF THE SEASON:

Much like the Islanders in front of him, Thomas Greiss got his groove back on Monday night.
The Islanders goalie made 31 saves for his fifth shutout of the season and second straight against the Blue Jackets, a nice bounce-back after allowing five goals on 14 shots vs Philadelphia.
Greiss, who is riding a 151:27 shutout streak against the Blue Jackets, cast his spell over Columbus early. The goalie came up with a sprawling save on David Savard in the second period, laying out and getting his glove on the defenseman's attempt to cut across the crease.

"I thought we left him out to dry the other night. That's not on him. We knew we had to be better in front of him and when we're not he's there to back us up," captain Anders Lee said. "Awesome for Thomas to obviously bounce back with the shutout and as a team, we can eliminate these high scoring games."
The Blue Jackets were trying tricks from all angles, shooting off the end boards for backdoor plays, but Greiss was equal to the task. He was aggressive all night, robbing Ryan Dzingel on a one-timer in the third period.
Greiss did get some help, as the Isles packed the house in front of their goalie, with Nick Leddy notably breaking up a Dzingel look in the slot to preserve a 1-0 scoreline in the third period. Columbus goal leader Cam Atkinson also rang a pair of shots off the post, but the night belonged to Greiss.

PULOCK SETS CAREER-HIGH IN POINTS:

As much as Ryan Pulock's all-around game has developed, his best asset is his booming shot and his offensive game.
It was on display on Monday night, as Pulock took advantage of an open lane and stepped into a rocket to put the Isles up 1-0 at 6:11. The goal was Pulock's eighth of the season and set a new career-high with his 33rd point, both of which lead Isles defensemen.
"I feel like I'm defending well and feel like I'm getting some chances," Pulock said. "I'm just looking to shoot whenever I can and [have] that really shooter's mentality. When I have that it seems like I get some chances and some are going to go in."

CLUTTERBUCK RETURNS TO LINEUP IN PHYSICAL CONTEST:

The Islanders knew they were going to get a rough and tumble game from the bruising Blue Jackets, but they had an answer - a healthy Matt Martin, Casey Cizikas and Cal Clutterbuck.
Clutterbuck returned to the Islanders lineup after missing three games with an upper-body injury, officially reuniting the Islanders identity line after a five-game hiatus.
The line set the tone for the Islanders immediately, in what was described as a playoff-like contest between the division rivals. They crashed and banged and when things got a little nasty with Columbus' big bodies, one of the three were usually at the center.
There was reason for the extra intensity on Monday. Columbus, the second wild card, was looking to intrude on the Metro gridlock atop the division, but instead, the Isles created an eight-point buffer between themselves and the Blue Jackets with the regulation win. The Islanders (87 points) also moved two points back of the Washington Capitals (89 points) for the division lead.

"It seems like those two points are always worth more than two," Lee said. "This was a big one tonight. Looking forward to our next one."
Head Coach Barry Trotz praised his team's effort and commitment on Monday night. They played with the lead from the 6:11 mark on and defended well in the third period. Even Lee's empty-netter was the result of a hustle play by Valtteri Filppula, who absorbed a few hits before dishing to the captain.
"We played Islander hockey for a little bit," Trotz said. "More than anything, we raised our battle level and that's where it starts."

NEXT GAME:

It's another big game against a team in the playoff hunt, as the Islanders take on the Montreal Canadiens on Thursday night at NYCB Live.