Islanders use strong third period to top Blue Jackets

NEW YORK — Kyle Palmieri scored the go-ahead goal early in the third period to lift the New York Islanders to a 5-2 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets on Thursday night.

Mathew Barzal had a goal and an assist, and Sebastian Aho, Oliver Wahlstrom and Ryan Pulock also scored as New York improved to 7-1 in its last eight home games dating back to a 6-0 win against the Blue Jackets on March 10.

Semyon Varlamov made 30 saves in his second consecutive start and third straight appearance with Ilya Sorokin sidelined with an upper-body injury.

"When we stick to our game, we can be very effective against anyone," Pulock said. "I thought we did a good job of responding in the third and just played…