CHI@NYI: Kane scores the lone shootout goal to win it

The New York Islanders lost their 11th straight game when Marc-Andre Fleury got his 499th NHL win in the Chicago Blackhawks' 3-2 shootout victory at UBS Arena in Elmont, New York, on Sunday.

With his next win, Fleury, who made 22 saves, would join Martin Brodeur (691) and Patrick Roy (551) as the only goalies to reach 500 in the NHL. Fleury is 499-285-82 in 18 seasons.
Alex DeBrincat had two assists for the Blackhawks (9-13-2), who have won three of their past five games and eight of 12 since Derek King replaced Jeremy Colliton as coach Nov. 6.
"Marc-Andre, great game again. Especially his shootouts have been tremendous," King said. "I think the big thing here is our guys are buying into taking teams to 2-1, to 2-2 tied going into overtime. Take our chances. We're OK with that."
Noah Dobson tied it with four seconds remaining in the third period, and Semyon Varlamov made 24 saves for the Islanders (5-10-5), who have been outscored 40-13 during the skid.

CHI@NYI: Dobson ties it with 4 seconds left

New York has a point in three straight games but is 0-8-3 since a 2-0 win at the Winnipeg Jets on Nov. 6 and has lost its first six games in its new home (0-4-2).
"The only thing I didn't like in the game is, really, the result," Islanders coach Barry Trotz said. "You look at the group, I thought we had a really good effort. … I look at the last three games, we've got a point in every game. We're playing hockey now. We're playing in a lot of areas the right way.
"The group understands. We would love to get our first win in the building here for our fans, for us, for our confidence. But we're just collecting points as we can. We'd like two, but we get one. It's better than nothing."
Patrick Kane scored the only goal in the shootout. Fleury made saves against Oliver Wahlstrom, Mathew Barzal and Anthony Beauvillier.
Fleury has saved all eight shots he's faced in three shootout victories this season and has won six of eight since a 1-7-0 start.
"[Fleury is] unbelievable. Vezina Trophy winner for a reason," Blackhawks forward Dylan Strome said. "Without him, we're not in a lot of these games. He's a heck of a goalie. ... One of the best teammates I've ever had for sure."
Strome gave the Blackhawks a 2-1 lead at 5:59 of the third. Erik Gustafsson attempted a pass to DeBrincat in the high slot, where Islanders defenseman Sebastian Aho backhanded it away but it went right to Strome, who scored on a wrist shot for his first goal in seven games.
Dobson tied it 2-2 with a slap shot blocker side after taking a pass from Barzal.
"I think I definitely had a few chances out there tonight," Dobson said. "It was nice to bury one in the last few seconds."
Brandon Hagel gave Chicago a 1-0 lead with a power-play goal at 6:49 of the first period. Hagel posted in front of the crease, where a one-timer from DeBrincat deflected off his leg and past Varlamov for his fifth goal in nine games.
"We're finding ways to win," Hagel said. "We're winning those 2-1, 3-2 games. That's what we have to do when the puck's not going in the net. Have to be happy with that. Hopefully, the pucks start going in, obviously."

CHI@NYI: Hagel credited with PPG after puck hits him

Jean-Gabriel Pageau ended an 11-game goal drought when he scored on a power play, tying it 1-1 by tipping a shot from Aho at 8:03 of the second.
"I think we've been doing some good things in the last three games," Pageau said. "Obviously we want that extra point, but we're building right now. I think our game is going in the right direction. You just see, when you score like that at the end, that the team is ready to play a full 60 (minutes). Everyone showed up tonight."
NOTES: Blackhawks defenseman Riley Stillman had two shots on goal, two hits and two blocked shots in 17:30 of ice time after being out five games because of a left knee injury. … Barzal had two assists and played 25:20. … It was Varlamov's first start since Nov. 24. … Islanders forward Matt Martin did not play with what Trotz said was a nagging injury. Forward Ross Johnston played for the first time since Oct. 14 and blocked one shot in 11:09. … New York center
Casey Cizikas
(COVID-19 protocol) missed his third straight game.