New York Islanders Rally, Fall Short to Blue Jackets In Overtime (Highlights)
Mar 18, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets right wing Josh Anderson (34) is congratulated after scoring a goal as New York Islanders defenseman Dennis Seidenberg (4) skates away during the second period at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports

Despite John Tavares’ third period heroics, the New York Islanders lost a crucial point in the wild card chase.

  • New York Islanders 2 (33-26-12, 78 points)
  • Columbus Blue Jackets 3 (46-18-6, 98 points)
  • NHL, Final (OT), Box Score
  • Barclays Center, Brooklyn, New York

These days, every point is a crucial point.

After, to quote Isles head coach Doug Weight, “probably the worst two periods I’ve seen in a year and a half,” captain John Tavares delivered like he usually does: scoring a game-tying goal — from the blueline, of all places — midway through the game’s final frame to steal New York a much-needed point in the standings.

It would be remiss not to mention the Isles’ painfully egregious start, of which Weight told his team to “thank your lucky stars it’s only 2-1 and you have a chance to win this game.” This is particularly alarming; the Isles had done a great job of rebounding from awful losses until Saturday night, when they failed to bounce-back from a dispiriting 4-2 home loss to the Winnipeg Jets on Thursday.

Both the Lightning (one point behind; one game in hand) and Maple Leafs (tied with the Isles; two games in hand) are in action tonight, with major playoff implications at stake. But, at the end of the day, New York can’t count on other teams bailing them out: they need to take care of business themselves.

Justin Weiss is a staff editor at Elite Sports New York, where he covers the New York Islanders and Brooklyn Cyclones. In 2016, he received a Quill Award for Freelance Journalism. He has written for the Long Island Herald, FanSided and YardBarker.