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

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. Simon Holmstrom's short-handed goal in the second proved to be the game-winner for the Islanders,

ELMONT, N.Y. -- Bo Horvat scored twice for the New York Islanders in a 3-1 win against the Columbus Blue Jackets at UBS Arena on Monday. Simon Holmstrom also scored, and Mathew Barzal had two assists for the Islanders (19-20-7), who have won two straight. Ilya Sorokin made 25 saves.

The Columbus Blue Jackets were hoping to leave New York with a split. The Islanders ensured that things didn’t go according to plan. Bo Horvat scored two goals and Iyla Sorokin made 25 saves to lift the Islanders to an important 3-1 win over the Blue Jackets on Monday night at UBS Arena.

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.

The Isles scored a 3-1 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets at UBS Arena, closing the gap from eight points to six against a team that started the day in the second wild card spot in the Eastern Conference.

Noah Dobson and Ryan Pulock also scored, Marcus Hogberg made 18 saves and the Islanders snapped a two-game skid.

The Islanders (19-20-7), who moved within six points of the surging Blue Jackets with their second straight win, improved to 2-2-0 on their seven-game homestand, which continues Friday night against the Flyers. The downer was top-pair defenseman Noah Dobson exiting at 1:16 of the third period with what appeared to be a leg injury.