This was the sort of effort which, if the Islanders could replicate it consistently, makes them look like a playoff contender.

The Islanders scored three goals in the second period and went on to a 3-1 win over the Blue Jackets on Monday.

Bo Horvat scored twice in the second period Monday night for the host New York Islanders, who beat the Columbus Blue Jackets 3-1 in Elmont, N.Y. Simon Holmstrom's short-handed goal in the second proved to be the game-winner for the Islanders,

Kent Johnson scored for the Blue Jackets (22-18-7), who had their seven-game point streak end (6-0-1). Elvis Merzlikins made 22 saves.

The Blue Jackets never quite got going in a lackluster 3-1 loss to the Islanders to end their seven-game point streak.

Bo Horvat scored twice in New York's three-goal second period, and the Islanders beat the Columbus Blue Jackets 3-1. Simon Holmstrom also scored and Mathew Barzal had two assists as the Islanders won their second straight and fifth in seven games.

The Isles scored a 3-1 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets at UBS Arena, closing the gap from eight points to six against a team that started the day in the second wild card spot in the Eastern Conference.

Final Thoughts: The Islanders last faced the Blue Jackets on Oct. 30, when they were shut out 2-0. That was the game in which Mathew Barzal suffered his long-term upper-body injury. The gap between the Islanders and Columbus is eight points right now.

While the Islanders have a need for Hogberg, does he have value on the trade market for a team like the Devils?

Elvis Merzlikins and the Blue Jackets remain in a playoff spot, making Columbus' King a solid option on a holiday Monday in the US

The two-game winning streak has helped the New York Islanders, but they remain in last place in the Metropolitan Division. That said, the recent games have shown how they can turn the season around and make a push for the playoffs.