Quote of the Game
Blue Jackets defenseman Seth Jones: "I thought we controlled the pace of play really for the second and third period of the game. They didn't really have much. We had a lot of chances and did everything right but score, really, to be honest. We just have to bear down a little bit more."
CBJ Notables
Quick Recap
Casey Cizikas has three goals for the Islanders this year and nearly made it four as he got loose in the slot on the first shift of the game, but his try went wide.
New York still made it 1-0, though, 6:11 into the game after an icing by the Jackets. Coming off the faceoff, a shot from the left point was blocked but bounded out to the right, and Ryan Pulock stepped into it from the top of the circle and beat Bobrovsky to the far side corner.
Columbus nearly had a quick answer, though, as a minute later the top line came up the ice with speed but Cam Atkinson's hard wrister hit the crossbar behind Greiss.
There were plenty of gilded chances early in the second, as Atkinson hit the post again a minute in, then Eric Robinson slid into the net on a rush, got out, and found the puck before being denied by Greiss. Going the other way, Bobrovsky had to be sharp going side to side to deny Andrew Ladd on a rebound chance off the back boards.
Bobrovsky then made another great stop on a 2-on-1, denying Anders Lee after a long shift by the Blue Jackets in their end that was highlighted by Duchene's pass to Zach Werenski in front but the shot went wide.
The Blue Jackets started the third by tilting the ice toward Greiss' net but couldn't find the crucial goal. Finally, with 1:30 left, Lee scored an empty-net goal.
By the Numbers
The Blue Jackets had 62 shot attempts to New York's 33 and a 31-20 edge in shots on goal, but the Islanders blocked 16 Columbus shots and 15 sailed wide. ... Jones played a game-high 27:10. ... Columbus fell to 0-3 this year vs. the Islanders and have scored just two goals in that span. ... The Jackets also fell to 20-12-1 on the road this year and 15-9-1 against Metropolitan Division foes. … The Blue Jackets were shutout for the sixth time this year and third time in six games. … Columbus stopped three Islanders power plays and is now 69 of 75 on the kill in the last 31 games but went without a power-play goal for the fourth straight game. ... The Blue Jackets won 12 of 36 faceoffs.
Roster Report
Columbus forward Boone Jenner did not play because of illness. Brandon Dubinsky moved up to his spot while Robinson entered the lineup on the fourth line. The team also swapped out Riley Nash for Lukas Sedlak, so scratches were Jenner, Nash, Markus Hannikainen, Dean Kukan and Keith Kinkaid.
Up Next
The Blue Jackets return home for the second end of a back-to-back when they take on Boston on Tuesday at Nationwide Arena for a 7 p.m. start.
