Creating and sustaining an impact has been a lingering issue during the first 3 1⁄2 months of the season. It’s part of the reason the Islanders (17-19-7, 41 points) entered the first of three games in 14 days against the Flyers in 15th place in the Eastern Conference, two points ahead of last-place Buffalo.

Anders Lee scored a first period goal in his 800th NHL game, and Ilya Sorokin made 30 saves for his 20th career shutout as the Islanders blanked the Vegas Golden Knights 4-0 before a sellout crowd of 17,713 at T-Mobile Arena.

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THROUGH GAMES OF THURSDAY, JAN. 23, 2025

Mathew Barzal scored earlier in the second while Noah Dobson and Ryan Pulock added goals for the Islanders, who snapped a two-game losing streak but remained in last place in the Metropolitan Division and seven points out of the second wild-card spot. Goalie Marcus Hogberg made 18 saves.

Result: The Islanders are playing faster hockey (a necessity in the NHL), are breaking the puck out of their defensive zone quickly and cleanly and are able to sustain momentum shift to shift as one group of players can build upon the forecheck or physicality of the players returning to the bench.

At least for now, the Islanders stopped the bleeding. Doing so on the same night the organization honored Brent Sutter — inducting him into the team’s Hall of Fame and unveiling his name on the Ring of Honor at UBS Arena — with one of the season’s better crowds in attendance,

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

The New York Islanders (18-20-7) play host to the Columbus Blue Jackets (22-17-7) on Monday night on Martin Luther King Jr. Day in UBS Arena. The holiday game features the Islanders coming off a strong 4-1 win over the San Jose Sharks on Saturday night.

The New York Islanders’ Anders Lee and the Columbus Blue Jackets’ Zachary Werenski are two of the best players to keep an eye on when these teams meet on Monday at 7:30 PM ET, at UBS Arena. Purchase tickets for this matchup at StubHub!

PM ET in Monday’s contest between the New York Islanders and the Columbus Blue Jackets, here are the best bets you should be considering, whether you’re wanting to place a single wager or have your eyes set on putting together a parlay.

With Brent Sutter in the house for his Isles Hall of Fame induction, the New York Islanders took care of business on Saturday night with a 4-1 win over the San Jose Sharks at UBS Arena. It was an important response for the Islanders,