Tonight, the Columbus Blue Jackets are in town to take on the Islanders at the Coliseum.  The Isles will look to go into the Christmas break on a high note, after falling 6-5 to a struggling Anaheim Ducks team Saturday in a shootout.
What to expect
As much as the Jackets have been struggling this season, expect a tough, close, grinder-type game.  John Tortorella always makes his team be hard to play against.  But, the Islanders should really focus on the defensive side of things tonight, as they’ve given up 16 goals in the past three games.  It’s been very uncharacteristic of them, but they’ll need to get back to their ways because the Jackets have a bunch of guys that can score, and we really don’t want another 6-5 game.

Previous Game
Islanders Blue Jackets is always a tough one. The last time these two teams met was on Nov. 30, where the Isles shutout the Blue Jackets 2-0 at Barclays Center.  It was a very tight game and disciplined as only one penalty was taken the whole game.  Anders Lee and Mat Barzal were the goal scorers and Thomas Greiss along with Semyon Varlamov combined for a 39 save shutout.
Team Leaders
Record: CBJ (16-14-6)-NYI (23-8-3)
Goals: P.L. Dubois (CBJ) 12-Mat Barzal (NYI) 15
Assists:  S. Jones (CBJ) 18-Mat Barzal (NYI) 15
Points:  G. Nyquist (CBJ) 26-Mat Barzal (NYI) 30
Save %:  J. Korpisalo (CBJ) .910-T. Greiss (NYI) .924
GAA:  J. Korpisalo (CBJ) 2.56-T. Greiss (NYI) 2.39
Game of the Month Record
0-1-1