Josh Bailey scored two goals in the first period, John Tavares had two goals and two assists, and the New York Islanders fought off two rallies by the Columbus Blue Jackets in a 6-3 victory on Saturday night.
Tavares set up Bailey twice early and then gave New York two- and three-goal leads in the third. The Islanders have won four straight and six of seven. Ryan Strome and Frans Nielsen also scored, and Jaroslav Halak made 34 saves.
Brandon Dubinsky, Cam Atkinson, and Nick Foligno had goals for Columbus, which beat Philadelphia at home on Friday. Anton Forsberg stopped 40 shots as Columbus began a five-game trip.
Nielsen put the Islanders ahead for good when he converted Thomas Hickey's slap pass 1:54 into the third for his first goal in 13 games. Tavares made it 5-3 with 12:52 remaining and then gave New York a three-goal lead -- off an assist from Bailey -- with 8:45 left on his 26th goal.
