The New York, currently holding a 35-30-9 record, enter this matchup against the Columbus Blue Jackets with a sense of urgency as the regular season winds down. Occupying a precarious position in the Eastern Conference playoff race, the Islanders are acutely aware that each game carries significant weight. Offensively, the team has faced challenges, averaging 2.70 goals per game, placing them 27th in the league. Captain Anders Lee has been a beacon of consistency, leading the team with 21 goals and 16 assists. His physical presence and leadership on the ice have been invaluable. Bo Horvat, acquired earlier in the season, has integrated well into the lineup, contributing 4 goals and 4 assists over the last 10 games. However, the secondary scoring has been sporadic, with players like Anthony Beauvillier and Josh Bailey needing to elevate their offensive contributions to provide the necessary depth. Defensively, the Islanders have been more reliable, allowing an average of 3.00 goals per game, ranking them 15th in the NHL. Goaltender Ilya Sorokin has been a cornerstone of their defensive strategy, posting a .900 save percentage and a 2.87 goals-against average. His ability to make critical saves in high-pressure situations has kept the Islanders competitive in closely contested games. The defensive corps, led by Adam Pelech and Ryan Pulock, has been effective in limiting high-danger scoring opportunities, employing a structured, zone-based defensive system that frustrates opposing offenses. Special teams have been a mixed bag for the Islanders, with their power play converting at just 18.9%, placing them in the lower third of the league rankings. Their puck movement on the man advantage has often lacked urgency, and despite having capable shooters like Noah Dobson and Mathew Barzal, they’ve struggled to generate high-quality scoring chances. Conversely, their penalty kill has been more efficient, operating at 82.7%, and has played a critical role in maintaining game balance when facing offensively potent teams. This special teams dichotomy underscores one of the Islanders’ biggest issues: inconsistent execution in critical moments.

On home ice, New York has been middling, with an 18-13-5 record at UBS Arena, but recent form has not inspired confidence — the team has dropped 3 of its last 5 home games, often failing to close out contests where they held early leads. The Islanders’ ability to maintain defensive structure and composure under pressure has been tested against more dynamic offenses, and with the Columbus Blue Jackets coming in averaging over three goals per game, that challenge will only intensify. That said, the Islanders have historically controlled this matchup when playing at home, having won 9 of their last 11 meetings against Columbus at UBS Arena, a trend that could provide a psychological edge. Defensively, they have succeeded by clogging up the neutral zone and slowing down transition-heavy teams, a tactic they’ll likely deploy to counter Columbus’ quick strike offense. For head coach Patrick Roy, the key to success lies in instilling urgency and sharpening execution, particularly on special teams and in late-game scenarios where the Isles have faltered. Leadership from veterans like Lee, Cal Clutterbuck, and Kyle Palmieri will be vital to stabilizing the locker room and keeping morale focused as pressure mounts. Goaltending will remain a critical pillar — Sorokin, despite inconsistent support, has shown flashes of elite-level play and will need to be sharp against a Blue Jackets team riding a wave of scoring momentum. With the playoff window tightening, every game now serves as a potential inflection point. The Islanders’ combination of defensive awareness, veteran leadership, and goaltending gives them a strong foundational base, but unless they can generate more offense and clean up late-game lapses, their postseason hopes could slip away. The game against Columbus provides both a formidable test and an opportunity to reset their trajectory. If the Isles can harness their home crowd energy, play with a higher level of discipline, and execute more effectively on special teams, they’ll have a strong chance of extending their historical dominance over the Blue Jackets. However, should their offensive woes continue and Columbus dictate the tempo early, the Islanders may find themselves chasing the game — and perhaps the playoff race — once again. March 24 marks more than just a divisional battle; it could be a defining moment in New York’s campaign, and how they respond to that pressure will speak volumes about this team’s identity in the closing weeks of the 2024–25 season.