Columbus Blue Jackets Defeat New York Islanders 6-1 in Season Finale

The Columbus Blue Jackets ended their season on a high note with a 6-1 victory over the New York Islanders, marking their sixth consecutive win and tying a franchise record for home points. Despite their late surge, the Blue Jackets missed the playoffs for the fifth straight year after the Montreal Canadiens clinched the final Eastern Conference wild-card spot. The season was emotionally charged following the death of Johnny Gaudreau, yet the team showed resilience, with standout performances from players like Zach Werenski, who tied the franchise record for assists and became the first defenseman to lead the Blue Jackets in scoring. Adam Fantilli, the team's No. 3 overall draft pick, also finished strong, scoring his 30th goal of the season. The Islanders faded in the latter part of the season, ending sixth in their division and out of playoff contention, while the Blue Jackets set a new franchise high for goals scored in a season. The campaign, though ultimately falling short of the postseason, was seen as a surprising and memorable effort given the challenges faced.