National Hockey League
BOXSCORE | RECAP
Columbus 7, NY Islanders 3
When: 7:00 PM ET, Saturday, April 7, 2012
Where: Nationwide Arena, Columbus, Ohio
Referees: Justin St. Pierre, Rob Martell
Linesmen: Derek Nansen, Darren Gibbs
Attendance: 17652

BLUE JACKETS 7, ISLANDERS 3: Rookie Cam Atkinson continued his goal-scoring surge by tallying twice and captain Rick Nash secured his seventh 30-goal campaign as host Columbus cruised past New York in the season finale.

Vinny Prospal and defenseman James Wisniewski collected a goal and two assists apiece and R.J. Umberger reached the 20-goal plateau for the fourth straight season. Steve Mason turned aside 35 shots as the NHL-worst Blue Jackets won for the fifth time in six games.

Kyle Okposo scored his third goal in two contests, Michael Grabner netted his 20th and former Columbus defenseman Milan Jurcina also tallied for the Islanders, who dropped four of five to end the season.

Playing in perhaps his last game with Columbus, Nash opened the scoring with 36 seconds left in the first period after alertly locating a loose puck under Al Montoya's glove and tapping it into the net. Nash was the subject of trade rumors prior to the deadline - and talks will likely heat up again in the offseason.

Atkinson doubled the advantage 4:15 into the second period with a wicked slap shot and capped Columbus' four-goal session with a power-play marker with 29 seconds left. Atkinson has five goals in his last two games.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Atkinson's three-point effort was his second in as many games. The 22-year-old Connecticut native registered his first career hat trick in Thursdays' 5-2 win over Colorado. ... Blue Jackets center Derick Brassard recorded his 100th career assist on defenseman Jack Johnson's goal in the third period. ... New York fell to 1-5-1 with one tie in its last eight trips to Nationwide Arena.
Top Game Performances
 
NY Islanders   Columbus
Michael Grabner 2 Points Cam Atkinson 3
Michael Grabner 1 Goals Cam Atkinson 2
Michael Grabner 1 Assists Vinny Prospal 2
N/A Power Play Goals Cam Atkinson 1
N/A Short Handed Goals N/A
Al Montoya .811 Save Percentage Steve Mason .921
Al Montoya 30 Saves Steve Mason 35
Team Stats Summary
 
Team Shots Goals Power Play Penalty Kill Penalty Mins Face Offs Won
NY Islanders 38 3 0-2 1-3 21 26
Columbus 37 7 2-3 2-2 19 27