One to forget.
Looking to break a three-game winless streak, the Columbus Blue Jackets visited the New York Islanders on Thursday night at the brand new UBS Arena.
It was not fun.
Ilya Sorokin earned his sixth shutout of the year, making 27 saves and Andres Lee scored the hat trick to shut down the Blue Jackets 6-0. The Islanders also had goals from Brock Nelson, Josh Bailey, and Jean-Gabriel Pageau.
Joonas Korpisalo made his first start since Jan. 30, and played in his first game since Jan. 31, after missing time with a lower body injury. He made saves 25 saves.
Poor Korpisalo
Korpisalo returned to action for the first time in over a month so it's natural to expect a little rust.
Nelson's 22nd goal at 10:32 came on a power play — Islanders had a five-on-three — but the goal allowed by Korpisalo was not good. They're never good but the puck squirted through the five-hole. The soft goals allowed tonight were a theme as Korpisalo struggled throughout the game.
The Blue Jackets defense didn't help matters as the team had 21 giveaways.
In the second period at 6:08, Bailey put through his fourth of the season to make it 2-0 Islanders.
The play started in the Blue Jackets zone, but the Islanders won the face-off, chipping the puck off the boards and up the ice quickly where the Islanders were able to make the Jackets pay on the other end.
Another goal came off a turnover leading to Lee's 17th at 13:49 to make it 3-0. The shot was glove side but Korpisalo appeared unable to read it correctly to make the play.
More of the same when Pageau converted for the Islanders on a 4-on-3 short-handed goal to make it 4-0. Another turnover at center ice led to the goal. It's the first time in franchise history the Blue Jackets have allowed a goal while on a 4-on-3 advantage in 1,626 games.
Lee's second of the game and 18th of the season at 11:57 came on the rebound in the third period. His 19th of the year came at 19:59 to complete the hat trick.
Tough Break
After signing a two-year deal earlier this week, Danforth left for the dressing room in the first period after blocking a shot and feeling it. He returned to the bench in the same frame but was unable to go.
Danforth was limited to three shifts (1:59).
Danforth missed 19 games earlier this season with a knee injury and looks like he could miss more time. Hopefully not as we hope for the best.
Lone Bright Spot?
Eric Robinson was the other Blue Jacket returning to action after missing the previous 14 games with a lower body injury. He was back on the penalty kill, helping thwart one of three chances in 27 seconds of short-handed ice-time. Robinson had six hits, two takeaways, and one shot in 13:02.
Into the Wild
The Blue Jackets host the Minnesota Wild on Friday at Nationwide Arena at 7:00 pm ET. It'll be the first matchup versus the Wild in 2021-22. The Wild defeated the Detroit Red Wings 6-5 in a shootout in the Motor City.