Recap: Isles Fall in Shootout 3-2 to Blackhawks

The New York Islanders won't go into the all-star break on a win, but a six-game point streak took a little bit of the sting out of Tuesday's 3-2 shootout loss to the Chicago Blackhawks.
"It was a game we could have won, it's frustrating, but we have to look at the big picture here," said Mathew Barzal. "It's been a great last two months and a great run. It's going to be nice to get some time off here, re-group and hopefully bring that same pace and intensity."

Jonathan Toews had the shootout winner, but the Islanders head into the all-star break and bye week with a 15-3-1 record in their last 19 games - the best record in the NHL since Dec. 15. With 63 points, they are still first place in the Metropolitan Division, holding a three-point lead on the Washington Capitals (60 points).
"Take one on the road, obviously you always want to get two, but in a situation like this, a shootout loss, it is what it is," captain Anders Lee said. "We've put a lot of work in and come together as a team. We've played the right way and we've had a great month. Now we can rest the legs, regroup a little bit, reset a little bit mentally and physical and come back excited for what's going to be a really fun second half. We put ourselves in a great position and that's something that we've earned and nothing we can take for granted."

FILPPULA OPENS THE SCORING:

A terrific individual effort from Valtteri Filppula opened the scoring at 2:19 of the first period. Filppula beat Artem Anisimov on an offensive-zone draw, corralled the puck and chipped a backhand past Cam Ward. Filppula's 11th goal of the season - in 47 games - matched his output from last season in Philadelphia.

BLACKHAWKS POWER PLAY TIES GAME:

The Islanders needed to be wary of Chicago's potent power play, which went 2-for-3 on Tuesday and converted for the ninth straight game.
Dylan Strome put the Blackhawks on the board at 6:05 of the second period on a five-on-three, tying the score 1-1 and ending the Islanders two-game shutout streak at 158:58. Jonathan Toews tied the game 2-2 with 22 seconds to play in the second, batting an Alex DeBrincat rebound past Robin Lehner.

Between Chicago's power-play goals, Barzal put the Islanders ahead 2-1 with his 14th goal of the season, deking Ward backhand on a breakaway at 7:33.
"Obviously they have a good power play," Barzal said. "Our PK has done a great job the last 20 games, but a five-on-three is tough for two minutes with some of the most skilled guys in the world."
The silver lining: the Islanders haven't allowed an even-strength goal in 197:53.

3RD PERIOD, OT AND THE SHOOTOUT:

Head Coach Barry Trotz - as well as Lee - felt the Islanders second period wasn't up to their new standard, but the game was hardly out of reach. Tied 2-2 in the third, the Isles had their chances break the deadlock. Erik Gustafsson laid down in the crease to rob Barzal with 11 minutes to play in the third period and the Isles could not convert on a late third period power play.
Neither team could find the back of the net in a thrilling, end-to-end overtime. Robin Lehner (38 saves) robbed Patrick Kane on a two-on-one and Nick Leddy turned on the jets to breakup a Kane breakaway on the ensuing Blackhawks rush.
The Isles had their chances too, with Jordan Eberle getting robbed by Ward on a one-timer. Toews and Kane converted on Chicago's first two attempts to win it in a shootout.

NEXT GAME:

The Islanders are off until Feb. 1, due to the all-star break (Jan. 24-26) and the Islanders bye week (Jan. 27-31). The Isles take on the Tampa Bay Lightning on Feb. 1 at NYCB Live.