Hold onto your hats, hockey fans, because this game was a nail-biter from start to finish! The New York Islanders pulled off a thrilling 4-3 overtime victory against the Columbus Blue Jackets on February 28, 2026, marking their fourth consecutive win. But here's where it gets even more exciting: Simon Holmstrom, the Islanders' rising star, sealed the deal just 1:50 into overtime, thanks to a slick feed from Tony DeAngelo. Holmstrom's wrist shot past Jet Greaves was nothing short of clutch, giving him his 14th goal of the season and his second overtime heroics. And this is the part most people miss: the Islanders are now a perfect 8-0 in overtime games this season, the only team in the league to remain undefeated in the extra period. Talk about a trend!
The Islanders didn’t have it easy, though. After falling behind by two goals, Anders Lee and Jean-Gabriel Pageau scored just 22 seconds apart in the second period to even the score. Scott Mayfield also chipped in with a goal and an assist, while Ilya Sorokin stood tall in net, stopping 27 shots.
Now, let’s talk about the Blue Jackets. Zach Werenski continues to be a force to be reckoned with. The defenseman extended his points streak to nine games—the longest in franchise history for a defenseman—with two assists. Werenski, who already has 65 points this season, is second among NHL defensemen and shows no signs of slowing down. His 100th career multipoint game is a testament to his consistency and skill. But here’s a thought-provoking question: Can Werenski keep up this pace and lead the Blue Jackets to a playoff spot?
Columbus’ goals came from Isac Lundeström, Mason Marchment, and Adam Fantilli, with Greaves making 22 saves. Marchment, in particular, has been on fire since joining the Blue Jackets in December, scoring 10 goals in just 16 games—the fastest any Columbus player has reached double-digit goals.
In the standings, the Blue Jackets trail the Islanders by seven points for third place in the Metropolitan Division and are five points behind Boston for the second wild card in the Eastern Conference. Every game matters from here on out.
Looking ahead, the Islanders host Florida on Sunday, while the Blue Jackets face the New York Rangers on Monday. Will the Islanders keep their overtime streak alive? Can the Blue Jackets close the gap in the standings? Let us know what you think in the comments—this race is far from over!
