Adam Williams presents his prediction for the NHL match.
The New York Islanders and the Columbus Blue Jackets are neck and neck in the Atlantic Division standings, jostling for that coveted second wild-card spot. A regulation win for the Blue Jackets would pull them level on points with tonight’s hosts, leaving no ambiguity around their motivation heading into this one.
New York Islanders
The Islanders are fully aware of the stakes too. Over the weekend, the coaching staff gave Ilya Sorokin a well-earned breather, resting him for the clash with the Calgary Flames (3:4 OT), where AHL call-up Marcus Hogberg got the nod. Sorokin’s impact cannot be overstated — he’s arguably the main reason the Islanders remain in playoff contention. Over his last 10 starts, the Russian netminder boasts seven wins and a remarkable .924 save percentage. Just last week, he carried the team to a crucial overtime victory over the Montreal Canadiens (4:3), turning away 38 of 41 shots. Against the Columbus Blue Jackets, he’ll be back in net — and well rested.
Columbus Blue Jackets
The Blue Jackets, meanwhile, have picked the worst possible time to hit a wall. Right in the thick of the playoff race, they have seen their luck dry up. In March, the Blue Jackets rank second-worst in the NHL for both goals per game (2.1) and shooting percentage (7.39%). A breakout looks unlikely — they lack consistent elite scorers, and key contributors like Adam Fantilli, Dmitri Voronkov, Kent Johnson, Kirill Marchenko and Zach Werenski have already exceeded expectations with career-best numbers.
New York Islanders vs Columbus Blue Jackets Prediction
With both sides desperate for points and keenly aware of what’s at stake, don’t expect an open contest. These are the types of matchups where caution trumps creativity, especially in the spring stretch. That’s already been evident — the two head-to-head meetings this season have produced just six total goals. With Ilya Sorokin back between the pipes and the Columbus Blue Jackets struggling to generate offence, this feels like a classic low-scoring playoff-style affair.
