Islanders' retaliation sparks mayhem during loss to Blue Jackets

The Columbus Blue Jackets and New York Islanders’ matchup turned into an all-out brawl connected nan crystal successful nan 2nd period.

The mayhem began erstwhile Blue Jackets guardant Mason Marchment took retired Islanders defenseman Matthew Schaefer adjacent nan neutral zone. Islanders prima Mat Barzal past took matters into his ain hands and nailed Marchment pinch his instrumentality successful a retaliatory move.

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New York Islanders defenseman Matthew Schaefer (48) looks to walk arsenic Columbus Blue Jackets halfway Brendan Gaunce (16) defends during nan first play astatine Nationwide Arena connected Dec. 28, 2025. (Russell LaBounty/Imagn Images)

Barzal became nan target of Columbus players soon aft nan slashing, sparking nan melee. NHL officials had to peel players disconnected each different to regain power of nan game.

Marchment was deed pinch a two-minute punishment for tripping Schaefer. Barzal was fixed a five-minute awesome punishment and a crippled misconduct for his actions.

Islanders players backed Barzal aft nan game.

"I deliberation he’s p---ed off, felt it was a soiled play connected Schaef," New York’s Adam Pelech told nan New York Post aft nan game. "We’re each pinch Barzy, obviously."

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A scrum breaks retired during nan 2nd play betwixt nan New York Islanders and nan Columbus Blue Jackets astatine Nationwide Arena connected Dec. 28, 2025. (Russell LaBounty/Imagn Images)

Islanders halfway Kyle Maclean added that they had to guidelines up for Barzal.

"He’s a young guy, 1 of your champion players," he said. "So there’s ways to spell astir things, but it’s bully to spot Barzy do something. We sewage his backmost there. It’s a punishment we’ll kill, I think. So it’s bully to see."

The people was tied 1-1 astatine nan clip of nan brawl, but Columbus would get nan amended of New York from location on.

Blue Jackets prima Kirill Marchenko scored 2 goals, including 1 pinch 3:19 near successful nan game. Ivan Provorov tied nan crippled astatine 2-2 astir a infinitesimal earlier nan clutch Marchenko goal. Cole Sillinger added an empty-net goal.

Columbus won 4-2.

Max Shabanov and Bo Horvat some scored for nan Isles.

Columbus Blue Jackets correct helping Kirill Marchenko (86) celebrates scoring a extremity against nan New York Islanders during nan 3rd play astatine Nationwide Arena connected Dec. 28, 2025. (Russell LaBounty/Imagn Images)

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The Blue Jackets will beryllium backmost connected nan crystal Monday against nan Ottawa Senators. New York returns to play connected Tuesday against nan Chicago Blackhawks.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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