BOTTOM LINE: The Columbus Blue Jackets head to the New York Islanders in Metropolitan Division action on Monday. New York has a 4-5-2 record in Metropolitan Division games and an 18-20-7 record overall. The Islanders have a 7-1-1 record when scoring a power-play goal.

While he wasn't initially penalized, the NHL has now issued a multi-game suspension for Islanders forward Maxim Tsyplakov.

The Blue Jackets should buy at the NHL trade deadline and Mikael Granlund should be their top target to improve their forward core.

The four-game, six-night venture begins tonight in Manhattan, as the Blue Jackets take on the New York Rangers before heading to take on the Islanders on Monday. From there, the wheels are up to Toronto for a Wednesday meeting before the trip ends a night later with a third division game Thursday in Carolina.

James van Riemsdyk scored twice and the Columbus Blue Jackets beat the San Jose Sharks 4-1 to extend their win streak to six games — their longest since January 2020.

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Mathew Barzal and Brock Nelson each had a goal and an assist and the Islanders beat the Sharks on Saturday night.

On Dec. 18, the Blue Jackets ranked 26th in the NHL standings and trailed a wild-card spot by five points. After dropping eight of their last nine games, the playoffs seemed increasingly out of reach. They have gone 9-3 ever since.

The Jackets have ventured into New York City for their first time this season as they look to win a 7th straight game. This is the first game of a four-game road gauntlet for Columbus. They're in Manhattan to play the Rangers tonight,