The Islanders got one past Corey Crawford and held on until 1:14 was left in the third period when Artemi Panarin tied the game. The game would go to a shootout after a raucous overtime period where the Islanders lost 2-1.
The good, bad and ugly
It was so close.
1:14 is all that separated another point for the Islanders from tonight’s contest against the 3-times-in-six-years Stanley Cup champions.
The Islanders largely performed very well against a very tough opponent, trading off chances throughout the game. The Hawks held on against the Islanders until Panarin’s goal, but could not solve Thomas Greiss or the Islanders until last minute desperation attempts.
Captain John Tavares lost a faceoff to Jonathan Towes, and unfortunately it ended up being the one that cost New York.
The overtime period featured two very offensively skilled teams playing smart, conservative hockey and a fiery contest that very much had a playoff-type atmosphere. For the Islanders to be able to stave off one of the hottest teams in the NHL is a feat, and get a point in Chicago, something that has not happened in at least the past four meetings between the two teams.
2 on 1 at its best. ? #LGI #NYIvsCHI pic.twitter.com/tDgcCIFTXn
— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) March 4, 2017
The game would see extra time in the shootout, where the Islanders would miss all their shots with Nikolay Kulemin coming the closest to potting away the goal, the puck had just rolled wide of the post.
The Islanders should not be disappointed with the effort they gave. It was a close game to a proven champion, despite giving up a late goal. Maybe the game should have been closed out, but it was certainly not for a lack of effort.
The Islanders are now 3-1-1 in their first five road games, certainly not a bad record. They will need to use the same focus to take on the Calgary Flames.
Calgary is on a roll, beating the LA Kings 2-1 in overtime tonight finally finding their groove after giving Brian Elliott time to settle and scratching defenseman Dennis Wideman.
The Isles will return back to the ice on Sunday in Calgary.
