The New York Islanders took the ice on Thursday night at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Uniondale to welcome the Chicago Blackhawks. The Isles had themselves a nice little two-game winning streak heading into their rematch from Dec. 2, a 5-4 loss in Chi-town.
The operative word here is "had."
That's because the Blackhawks did it again, outlasting the Islanders by a final score of 3-2 in overtime, thanks to Patrick Sharp's game-winner at the 1:34 mark (assisted by Marian Hossa).
And it wasn't the first time in the game they collaborated on a goal.
Sharp, along with Patrick Kane, helped Hossa with a nine-foot tip-in at the 11:42 mark of the opening frame. The power play goal put Chicago up 1-0 until the second period, when it became two-zip thanks to (once again) Sharp, who had the slapper, and Hossa, who joined Niklas Hjalmarsson for the assist.
New York finally managed to get on the board at the 18:21 mark when Travis Hamonic (assisted by Pierre Parenteau and Matt Moulson) scored to make it a one goal game. Steve Staios (assisted by Frans Nielsen and Michael Grabner) tied it up halfway though the third period, make it two apiece and sending it into overtime.
It only delayed the inevitable.
New York, who will host the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday night at home, fall to 9-11-6 in defeat.
For the latest news and fan perspective on the Islanders, visit our New York Islanders team page and Islanders blog, Lighthouse Hockey.