The Islanders didn’t exorcise any demons but they kept them at bay for one night at least, as they turned a fortunate second period into a runaway third (after a brief early scare) for a 7-3 win over the injury- and illness-depleted Columbus Blue Jackets.
Third-period leads have been the bane and the bogeyman for the Isles all season, so there was little optimism to be had from them entering the third period with a 4-2 lead that looked unlikely just minutes before.
And, of course, all the ever-present fears were there when they conceded a sloppy goal (hello, Mayfield) just 88 seconds into the third to make it 4-3.