Blackhawks 4, Islanders 3: It’s a shame
Simon was dialed in, at least. | NHLI via Getty Images With multiple teams pushing for a playoff spot they are letting slip away, the Islanders wasted a golden opportunity to keep pace against a bottom-five team that has nothing to play for but the pretense that next season will be better. The Isles got out to a decent start and 1-0 lead in the first minute on Anders Lee’s 16th of the season, but the Chicago Blackhawks stormed back with three goals in a seven-minute span of the first, capitalizing on a Mat Barzal turnover to get on the board and then a contagious series of more turnovers and sloppy play.
A 3-1 deficit after 20 minutes is completely reversible against a “fragile” team — and Ilya Sorokin took over for David Rittich after that first period but the Isles were the ones to crumble after an obvious icing was not called. Adam Pelech and Scott Mayfield acted like they’d never played together as they coughed up the puck behind the Isles net, Mayfield getting bodied off and then flailing away. The Blackhawks pounced, Frank Nazar converted and the lead was 4-1 just six minutes into the second period.
The Isles squandered a full power play late in the second period to bring that three-goal deficit into the third. They eventually got going and made it close, but they couldn’t dig out of the hole, causing Thomas Hickey to lament at the post-horn cut to break, simply: “It’s a shame. ” A shame that basically 10 minutes of brain farts wasted the opportunity, made worse and harder-to-overcome with an equally shameful brainfart following the blown icing non-call.
[ NHL Gamecenter | Game Summary | Event Summary | Natural Stat Trick ] Adding to the fun: Tony DeAngelo was lost after the first period, status undeclared, but it looks like it’s not just a game. This comes after Ryan Pulock was out again, with enough concern there for the Isles to call up Isaiah George as an extra before the game. Figure George to be needed next game, as will Adam Boqvist, who handled himself pretty well in 17:57.
Tony DeAngelo was hurt on the Chicago goal Clip below. #Isles pic. twitter.