Union and Blue
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Columbus Blue Jackets Face-off Against New York Islanders

By William Espy

NEW YORK, NY - FEBRUARY 13: Casey Cizikas #53 of the New York Islanders and Oliver Bjorkstrand #28 of the Columbus Blue Jackets chase after the puck in the first period during their game at Barclays Center on February 13, 2018 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - FEBRUARY 13: Casey Cizikas #53 of the New York Islanders and Oliver Bjorkstrand #28 of the Columbus Blue Jackets chase after the puck in the first period during their game at Barclays Center on February 13, 2018 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /
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The Columbus Blue Jackets face-off against a divisional rival in the New York Islanders.

The Columbus Blue Jackets are trying to take back the top spot in the Metropolitan, however they have a solid opponent trying to stop them in Lou Lamoriello’s New York Islanders. The Islanders were off to a hot start to the season and led the Metropolitan for a while, but have since cooled off.

The John Tavares-less Islanders have had quite a few other players step up with the lack of a superstar. Josh Bailey and Lamoriello’s hopeful Tavares replacement Mathew Barzal are leading the way for the Isles with 21 points in 24 games.

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Thomas Greiss and Robin Lehner are both solid in goal as well, with Lehner’s .913 save percentage and Greiss’s .925. Both goaltenders have less than 3 in terms of goals against average.

Over the last ten games, the Blue Jackets have been the better team record-wise. The Islanders on the other hand are trending downward from their hot start. Over the last ten, the Blue Jackets have a record of 7-2-1 while Long Island’s team has been a disappointing 4-5-1.

Things will likely continue to be rough for the Islanders over the next couple years and the hot start may not be more than an anomaly.

The Blue Jackets have the hottest hand in the league meanwhile with Cam Atkinson‘s record leading 8-game point streak, all but one of which have included a goal. Atkinson is in the midst of a career year, with his team leading 16 goals putting him on pace for a career high.

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The Columbus Blue Jackets are ready to take on a worthy opponent as they battle for the top spot in the Metropolitan with a hope to pass the Washington Capitals. The New York Islanders may not seem like Stanley Cup contenders, however they certain play like it.

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