On February 28, 2026, the New York Islanders secured their fourth consecutive victory with a thrilling 4-3 overtime win against the Columbus Blue Jackets. The game's pivotal moment arrived 1:50 into overtime when Simon Holmstrom, assisted by Tony DeAngelo, executed a precise wrist shot, outmaneuvering Columbus' Jet Greaves. This was Holmstrom's 14th goal of the season and his second overtime goal, showcasing his clutch performance. The Islanders' dominance in overtime continued, maintaining an unblemished 8-0 record in extra time this season, a remarkable feat in the NHL.
Scott Mayfield contributed to the Islanders' success with a goal and an assist, while Anders Lee and Jean-Gabriel Pageau erased a two-goal deficit in the second period, scoring within 22 seconds of each other. Ilya Sorokin's 27 saves were instrumental in preserving the win. Columbus, on the other hand, saw Zach Wereneki extend his points streak to nine games, a franchise record for a defenseman. Wereneki, with 65 points, is second among NHL defensemen. His 13 points in the last nine games include two goals and 11 assists, marking his 21st multipoint game of the season.
The Blue Jackets' Mason Marchment, who scored the goal that gave them a 2-0 lead, has been a standout since joining the team in December, scoring 10 goals in 16 games. However, Columbus remains seven points behind the Islanders for third place in the Metropolitan Division and five points behind Boston for the second wild card in the Eastern Conference. The Islanders will host Florida on Sunday, while the Blue Jackets will face the New York Rangers on Monday.
This game recap highlights the Islanders' consistent overtime success and the individual brilliance of players like Holmstrom and Mayfield. It also underscores the competitive nature of the NHL, where players like Wereneki and Marchment are making significant contributions to their teams' fortunes. The upcoming games against Florida and the Rangers will be crucial in determining the teams' positions in their respective divisions.
