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 the crystal successful the 2nd period.

The mayhem began erstwhile Blue Jackets guardant Mason Marchment took retired Islanders defenseman Matthew Schaefer adjacent the neutral zone. Islanders prima Mat Barzal past took matters into his ain hands and nailed Marchment with 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 the archetypal play astatine Nationwide Arena connected Dec. 28, 2025. (Russell LaBounty/Imagn Images)

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

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

Islanders players backed Barzal aft the game.

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

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

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

"He’s a young guy, 1 of your champion players," helium said. "So there’s ways to spell astir things, but it’s bully to spot Barzy bash something. We got 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 the clip of the brawl, but Columbus would get the amended of New York from determination on.

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

Columbus won 4-2.

Max Shabanov and Bo Horvat some scored for the Isles.

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

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

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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