The Columbus Blue Jackets used a potent power play to bounce back from a deflating loss.
The Blue Jackets scored three times with the man advantage in a 4-0 win over the New York Islanders.
With every point of great importance, Columbus had at least one slip through its grasp Friday, losing to the Chicago Blackhawks on a goal in the waning seconds of regulation.
The Blue Jackets secured two crucial points Sunday to close within one of Detroit for the first wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference. Columbus also tied Philadelphia for third place in the Metropolitan Division. The Flyers are currently playing Buffalo.
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Sergei Bobrovsky made 31 saves in his career-high 29th win of the season.
Anders Nilsson surrendered four goals on 33 shots as the Islanders saw their point streak end at seven games (5-0-2).
Boone Jenner opened the scoring on Columbus' first power play. The puck sat in the crease after going through Nilsson's pads and Jenner pushed it across the goal line at 4:26 of the opening period.
Jack Johnson beat Nilsson with a one-timed blast from high in the right circle on another power play to make it 2-0 at 13:10 of the first.
Mark Letestu finished off a give-and-go with Jenner by putting the puck into an open net for the Columbus' lone even-strength tally just past the midway point of the second period.
Back on the power play, Ryan Murray was in the high slot and hammered a feed from Cam Atkinson behind Nilsson with 1:07 to play in the middle frame.
[SportsNetwork.com]
