A tremendous effort falls short.
Kyle Palmieri's first-period goal stood up as the game-winner as the New York Islanders beat the Columbus Blue Jackets 2-0 from Nationwide Arena on Saturday night.
Palmieri is on a three-game point streak (two goals, one assist).
Matt Martin's third-period goal at 16:39 put this one away. Pierre Engvall, Sebastian Aho, and Casey Cizikas had the assists.
Semyon Varlamov made all 35 saves for his first shutout of the season — 39th of his career — to outduel Spencer Martin in the net. Martin made 31 saves on 33 shots.
The loss ended the Blue Jackets' four-game point streak.
Musical Lineup Chairs
Kent Johnson missed Thursday's game against the Montreal Canadiens as Dmitri Voronkov entered the lineup for his NHL debut.
On Saturday against the Islanders, Johnson re-entered the lineup, and Voronkov was back in to make his home debut, which meant someone had to sit.
That someone ended up being Kirill Marchenko, who was left on the outside looking in.
It's a good problem when you know someone has to sit, and everyone is trying to make it hard on head coach Pascal Vincent.
Johnson had two shots on goal, two blocked shots, and one hit in 13:16. Jack Roslovic's four-game point streak ended. He had a team lead of five shots on goal, one blocked shot, and one takeaway in 19:51. Voronkov had one blocked shot in 9:04 and no penalties after spending nine minutes in the box on Thursday against the Canadiens.
Signs Of Progression
We've seen periods this season by the Blue Jackets where they've looked dialed in, engaged, and have out-chanced the opponent.
Tonight was one of those nights.
In the first, @NatStatTrick had the #CBJ with a 7-1 edge in high-danger shots at 5x5. Jackets keep getting to key areas, but a couple good stops by Varlamov in that frame.
— Jeff Svoboda (@JacketsInsider) October 28, 2023
At the end of the second period, New York fought back for the 5v5 edge in xG (1.88-1.85), and Columbus had the second-period edge 0.9-0.82 per Natural Stat Trick.
Despite a valiant effort by Columbus with 16 third-period shots, the Islanders found the extra goal on Matt Martin's stick at 16:39. The Islanders had the xG edge in the third period 1.07-0.61 and 2.79-2.42 for the game at 5v5.
Goaltender Duel
Each team had offensive opportunities, and every one of them — but a few — was stopped by solid goaltending all night.
Entering the night, Varalamov was 9-5-2 in 17 career games against Columbus with a .935 save percentage, 2.26 goals against average, and three shutouts.
Adam Pelech did his part to preserve the shutout when he swept away a loose puck, originating from Roslovic's shot, that was inches from the goal line.
Martin has done well this season for the Blue Jackets to perform a pretty healthy duo with Elvis Merzlikins during the first part of the season. Martin was his own worst culprit, however, on the second goal when his turnover led to the second goal.
Spencer Martin with a clear up the middle that's picked off by Cizikas, he puts it on net and Matt Martin bats in the rebound.
— Jeff Svoboda (@JacketsInsider) October 29, 2023
Islanders up 2-0 with 3:21 left. Tough for Martin, who has been very good tonight. #CBJ
Palmieri's goal in the first period came on a rebound.
A waiver pickup in September, Martin came into the night 1-1-0, .915, 3.02. Per MoneyPuck, Varlamov's goals saved above expected was 3.3. For Martin, 0.96.
Lone Star State
The Blue Jackets head back on the road to face the Dallas Stars at American Airlines Center on Monday, Oct. 30, at 8:00 p.m. ET.
