The New York Islanders (20-20-7) won their third straight game, defeating the Philadelphia Flyers (22-22-6) 3-1 on Friday night in UBS Arena.

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 New York’s three-goal second period, and the Islanders beat the Columbus Blue Jackets 3-1.

The Islanders, seven points behind the Bruins for the Eastern Conference’s second wild-card spot, moved within six points of the surging Blue Jackets and improved to 2-2-0 on their seven-game homestand, which continues Friday night against the Flyers.

The Isles are 8-5-7 in games decided by a single goal including 4-5 in regulation. They are 2-6 in games decided in overtime and are 2-1 in shootouts. The Isles are 3-8 in games in which an empty-net goal turns a 1-goal game into a 2-goal game.

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.

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. Simon Holmstrom also scored and Mathew Barzal had two assists ...

The New York Islanders have gone streaking in January – they lost three games in a row to start the month, then won three games on their road trip, then lost back-to-back games on Jan.

New York Islanders center Bo Horvat, center, is congratulated by Mathew Barzal (13) after scoring against Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Elvis Merzlikins, right, in the second period of an NHL ...

Islanders head coach Patrick Roy reunited Mathew Barzal and Bo Horvat on the same line and it paid off as Barzal assisted on both of Horvat's goals in their 3-1 win over Columbus. While Roy was pleased with the pair's production,

The Islanders scored three goals in the second period and went on to a 3-1 win over the Blue Jackets on Monday.

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