Bo Horvat scored twice in New York’s three-goal second period, and the Islanders beat the Columbus Blue Jackets 3-1.

The New York Islanders host the Philadelphia Flyers after Bo Horvat's two-goal game against the Columbus Blue Jackets in the Islanders' 3-1 win.

The Islanders, seven points behind the Bruins for the Eastern Conference’s second wild-card spot, moved within six points of the surging Blue Jackets and improved to 2-2-0 on their seven-game homestand, which continues Friday night against the Flyers.

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.

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.

The Isles are 8-5-7 in games decided by a single goal including 4-5 in regulation. They are 2-6 in games decided in overtime and are 2-1 in shootouts. The Isles are 3-8 in games in which an empty-net goal turns a 1-goal game into a 2-goal game.

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

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

Horvat's two goals in a dominating three-goal second period for the Islanders leave Blue Jackets scuffling with back-to-back defeats.

Size, strength, experience and skill on faceoffs gave the Islanders a decided edge over the Blue Jackets: 3 takeways

Bo Horvat scored twice in New York’s three-goal second period, and the Islanders beat the Columbus Blue Jackets 3-1 on Monday night.

NEW YORK (AP) — Bo Horvat scored twice in New York's three-goal second period, and the Islanders beat the Columbus Blue Jackets 3-1 on Monday night. Simon Holmstrom also scored and Mathew Barzal ...