Recap: Toews' First Goal is OT Winner for Isles

Devon Toews' first NHL goal was an OT winner, as the rookie propelled the New York Islanders to a 3-2 OT win over the Chicago Blackhawks at NYCB Live on Thursday night.
Toews buried his own rebound at 1:48 of the extra frame to cap an Islanders win that was one-sided on the shot clock (50-21 Isles) but not on the scoreboard. Mathew Barzal scored a pair of goals and Robin Lehner made 19 saves as the Isles won their fifth straight game.
"It feels good to score and to get the two points is huge for our team," Toews said. "I felt like we played a tight game. We didn't have too many chances, but we limited their chances. Just to be able to contribute feels good."

TOEWS TIME:

According to Barry Trotz, Devon Toews was probably ready to play for the Islanders right out of training camp. The Isles coach was impressed with the 24-year-old defenseman, but he and GM Lou Lamoriello felt Toews could use more seasoning after coming off offseason shoulder surgery.
After getting a chance with the big club, Toews is making a good impression on Trotz and co.
"He's played well. He's played with a lot of poise, his skating allows us to transport the puck out of danger," Trotz said. "He joins the play at the right times and gives us another option on some of our breakouts. He's been solid. That's why we're playing him and playing him a lot."

Toews' first game came on Dec. 23 in Dallas and he's played in the four games since, filling in for the injured Thomas Hickey. Toews' first five games have coincided with the Islanders five-game winning streak.
"He's obviously been a big piece in the last five or six games and has helped us go on a streak here," Barzal said. "He's added another weapon back there, so he's been great for us and it's super cool moment for him to get it in overtime."
Toews nearly had his first-career goal late in the third period, ringing a shot off the iron from the point. The shot off the post didn't count towards his six-shot night, tops among Isles defensemen on Thursday.
Toews was mobbed by his teammates after depositing the game-winner and is making a case for himself to stay in the lineup, even as Hickey continues his recovery from an upper-body injury. Trotz called it a "nice problem to have."

BARZAL BURIES TWO MORE IN WIN:

Mathew Barzal's week just keeps getting better.
After earning NHL Star of the Week honors Monday and an invite to the NHL All-Star Weekend on Wednesday, Barzal scored a pair of goals on Thursday night.
The first came in impressive fashion, as Barzal batted a puck out of the air and past rookie goalie Collin Delia (47 saves) at 6:47 of the first period to tie the score 1-1.
Barzal struck again late in the second period. He drew a holding penalty on Gustav Forsling to put the Isles on a power play and cashed in at the side of the net after Nick Leddy's point shot hit traffic in front.
"Mat was really good," Trotz said. "He managed the puck really well. He was challenging seams, taking ice that was presented, he was going at people. I thought it was a pretty complete game."
With the two-goal night, Barzal extended his point streak to six games (8G, 3A).

BLACKHAWKS HANG AROUND:

The Isles outshot the Blackhawks 50-21, but couldn't fully pull away from Chicago on Thursday night. The Isles held the Blackhawks to six combined shots in the first and third periods, but Dominik Kahun opened the scoring off a rebound early and Patrick Kane's power-play goal tied the game at 5:01 of the third.
Lehner said it was difficult to find a rhythm, but came up big when the Isles needed, earning his sixth straight win in the process.

NEXT GAME:

The Islanders head to St. Louis for a Saturday night tilt against the Blues. Puck drop is at 8 p.m. eastern.