The Blue Jackets learned a simple but tough lesson from their 4-3 overtime loss to the New York Islanders on Nov. 3.

"Be ready," Blue Jackets coach Ken Hitchcock said. "No matter how much you talk about it, until you experience the way they play nobody else in the league plays like that.

"You can watch it on tape all day, but you've got to witness it on the ice."

On the surface, this would seem to be pure puffery, Hitchcock buttering up a struggling team. The Islanders, after all, have the most losses (17) and are tied for the fewest points (22) in the NHL.

But the Islanders jumped to a 3-0 lead against the Blue Jackets during their win in November.

"They pressure every puck," Hitchcock said. "You get no time, no space. They really put a lot of heat on you when you have the puck."

But the Islanders are riverboat gamblers, too. They take so many chances in the offensive zone -- especially their defensemen -- that the back door often is left wide open. They lost 9-2 to Pittsburgh on Thursday, and have allowed the most goals (106) in the NHL.

"You can get into a foot race with them," Hitchcock said. "But you have to work to get there."

Jackman back

Right winger Tim Jackman, the Blue Jackets' second-round pick (No. 38) in 2001, returns to Nationwide with the Islanders, for whom he's a physical fourth-liner.

It's the first time Jackman has played in Columbus since he was part of an early 2005-06 season trade that sent left winger Geoff Sanderson and Jackman to Phoenix for defenseman Cale Hulse, center Michael Rupp and left winger Jason Chimera, who is a fixture for the Blue Jackets.

"It seems like that was a long time ago," Jackman said. "I've played against Columbus (in 2006 while with Phoenix), but it's good to finally be back here. This is where it all started for me. It's come full circle now."

Jackman has one goal, one assist and 43 penalty minutes in 16 games for the Islanders.

He had one goal in 19 games with the Blue Jackets in 2003-04. Since then, he has played with Phoenix (eight games), Los Angeles (five) and the Islanders (52).

Freddy's still here

Goaltender Fredrik Norrena said the Blue Jackets asked him to head to minor-league Syracuse for a conditioning assignment.

While he didn't refuse, Norrena doesn't seem inclined to accept it just yet.

"If the situation is still like this in January," Norrena said, "then it's something I would consider."

Norrena's last appearance was Nov. 3.

Slap shots

Hitchcock said rookie goaltender Steve Mason will start tonight and possibly Sunday in Chicago. "We'll see how he feels once we get through (tonight's game)," Hitchcock said. Mason will make his 13th start in the last 17 games tonight. The Islanders goaltender for tonight remains a mystery. Joey MacDonald and Yann Danis both struggled Thursday in a 9-2 loss in Pittsburgh.

aportzline@dispatch.com