GAME DAY: vs. New York Islanders
Jackets close season at home vs. Islanders
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Columbus Blue Jackets vs. New York Islanders 
WATCH: FOX Sports Ohio (HD) | LISTEN: 97.1 The Fan FM & BlueJackets.com
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GAME DAY ON THE ROAD presented by:
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| Eighty-one games have been played this season by both the Blue Jackets and the New York Islanders - two clubs who will conclude disappointing 2011-12 campaigns tonight at Nationwide Arena. Though it’s been a trying season on both ends, for the Blue Jackets, the end of the year has brought strong play from a depleted lineup that’s rallied around playing the “spoiler” role. Since the NHL trading deadline, the Blue Jackets have faced playoff-driving teams like Colorado, Phoenix, Los Angeles, Florida, St. Louis, Detroit and others, and seen three-and-four game winning streaks in that span.
Tonight, they will be looking to cap off the season with a win against an up-and-coming Islanders team that can’t seem to catch a break with injuries to its goaltenders. Rick DiPietro, drafted first overall several years ago to be the club’s No. 1 goalie (then signed to a record 15-year deal), has missed the entire season and veteran Evgeni Nabokov has carried the mail between pipes. Nabokov recently signed a one-year contract extension to remain with the Islanders and is expected to enter 2012-13 as their starting netminder. Up front, head coach Jack Capuano certainly has a full chest of toys to utilize. The Islanders boast some of the brightest young forwards in the game, including John Tavares, Matt Moulson, Michael Grabner, Kyle Okposo, and Nino Niederriter. They have shown the ability to find the back of the net, but after a breakout season a year ago, Grabner has regressed in his second year on Long Island after signing a five-year contract extension. The future is equally as bright for the Islanders on defense, with veteran puck-mover Mark Streit serving as team captain and logging a boatload of minutes on the back end. Andrew MacDonald, a young, cerebral two-way defender who can play a shutdown role and contribute offensively, has solidified his spot on the blue line alongside Travis Hamonic, Mark Eaton, and others.
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