Defense Comes Up With Points, But Isles Fall One Short of Victory

Blackhawks 3: Islanders 2 (OT)

Overtime losses are frustrating as hell to watch. You just get so pumped up for sudden-death, especially when your team's climbed back from a deficit to tie the score, only to watch the opposing team come the other way and bury your high hopes deep into the ground with an overtime goal.

Granted, both of these teams I root for, but still.

Though Travis Hamonic and Steve Staios both netted their first goals of the year, the Islanders' offense could not contribute anything, and eventually the Blackhawks claimed the second point in overtime, 3-2, on a 2-on-1 rush for Chicago. Patrick Sharp scored his 15th of the year and second of the game on a feed from Marian Hossa, and he and Hossa were certainly the difference makers.

Of course, you expect your top players to make the difference for your club, and while the top two lines tried their hardest, nothing came out of it. Matt Moulson and PA Parenteau came up with an assist each, but that would be all. The Islanders' power play was stagnant, the penalty kill had to be on its game, and Al Montoya (25 saves) was not quite the rock he needed to be, though he tried his best. Give the Isles credit for coming back and forcing an overtime, earning the team a needed point (and lengthening their points streak to six games), but I suppose all offensively good things have to come to an end.

On to the last game of the home stand on Saturday, against Pittsburgh. (Joy.) Sidney Crosby is once again out of the lineup as a precaution after being shaken up in a collision with teammate Chris Kunitz during a game (though I half-expect the Pens to announce that he'll be playing against us Saturday night- gotta get those points... Sorry, natural cynicism, I suppose). Expect either a blowout or an exceptionally tight-played game, as these usually are. Usually being the operative term.

Until next time.

P.S. Some notes- Attendance was recorded at 10,711... Michael Grabner was back in the lineup tonight, only missing one game as a result of his groin injury. He didn't look quite as speedy tonight as he usually does, though he had some good SH chances... Oh, and dear Howie Rose, I love you, but please, learn how to pronounce Hjalmarsson. (It's YAL-mar-son. Not difficult. Soft 'j.') Thanks.