The 5 Hole: Isles Beat a Top Team?

The Islanders (19-17-9) invite the hot Blue Jackets (32-10-4) into Brooklyn for a Tuesday night matchup. Anders Lee is out tonight due to a non-injury reason, likely sick or personal. Another slow start leads to a breakdown in front of the net and Nick Bonino getting credit for it. First period ends in favor of the Columbus but the Isles started waking up as the period died down. The second period was pretty much all Islanders, Columbus didn’t generate much and it all started with Josh Bailey. Tavares’ cross ice pass finds Bailey who throws it in front and it hits off a d-man’s skate to tie the game. The goal was Josh’s 100th NHL goal so congrats to him. With roughly 4 minutes left in the period, Kulemin defects a point shot and gets his own rebound to put the Isles up 2-1. Kulemin benefitted from playing along side Tavares and Bailey on the top line in place of Lee. Isles got to work early in the third period due to Brock Nelson finding the back of the net for his 10th of the season only 35 seconds in. Chimera, who uses a defenseman as a screen, snipes on past Bobrovsky which chased him from the net with 14:39 left in the third and the Isles are up 4-1. Then a Chimera give away with 5:21 left leads to Cam Atkinson putting one by Greiss and it’s 4-2 Isles. CBJ pulls goalie with 2 minutes left and no scoring resulted.
4-2 final, Isles win.
#IslesTwitter…

On this date in 1981, #Isles Mike Bossy became the second player in #NHL history to record 50 goals in 50 games

— Jen (@NHLhistorygirl) January 24, 2017

If that's not the weirdest combination I've see this year #Isles pic.twitter.com/FQJVTTjL4W

— Rob Taub (@RTaub_) January 25, 2017

Bananas in 214? @IslesWhiteSUV @NYIslanders @AndyGraz_SNY #Isles pic.twitter.com/n1Gt5lgldb

— XXXXXXXXX (@Timtweets27) January 25, 2017

Been too long pic.twitter.com/X9wJYPXJby

— Dan (@cultureoflosing) January 25, 2017

I don't think Chimera thought he could do that anymore #Isles pic.twitter.com/PatRR85N1w

— 𝐈𝐬𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐅𝐢𝐱 (@IslesFix) January 25, 2017

Live look in @BlueJacketsNHL #isles pic.twitter.com/kWM2VpM5IM

— YESUV🚙 (@IslesWhiteSUV) January 25, 2017

With a win tonight, the #isles are only 3 Pts out of a playoff spot with games in hand of everyone above them. I'm getting excited again.

— noc 🦞 (@nocinthemiddle) January 25, 2017

Have to think,, are the Isles back folks?

— connor (@ConIsles) January 25, 2017

Solid win for the #Isles, 5-1-1 in their last 7 GP, another four-goal performance, Tavares 13 points in his last 6 including 2 pts tonight

— Rob Taub (@RTaub_) January 25, 2017