Game Preview: Chicago Blackhawks @ NY Islanders

LAST GAME

The NY Islanders surrendered a crucial point to the Philadelphia Flyers last night in their 4-3 OT victory. The Flyers tied the game up with just under 10 seconds remaining to force an extra frame. Bo Horvat and Brock Nelson both recorded their 30th goals of the season, the first time two Islanders have reached the 30-goal mark since 2017-18, accomplished by Anders Lee and John Tavares. Though the Islanders walked away with two points, the extra point could come back to haunt them in their push for the playoffs.

The Chicago Blackhawks also played the Flyers in their last game, winning in the city of Brotherly Love 5-1. They only managed 24 shots on the night but made the most of their opportunities while Arvid Soderblom turned away 30 of 31 shots.

HISTORICAL MATCHUP

The last matchup between the Islanders and the Blackhawks altered the rest of the season for the Islanders as it was the last one in charge for Lane Lambert. The 'Hawks beat the Islanders in overtime, 4-3, and Patrick Roy was named the head coach the next day.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Last night's OT winner was Nelson's first in 11 games. His last regulation goal was in the final game of the Islanders' 6-game win streak, against the Anaheim Ducks on March 10. Nelson has been the Islanders' best goal scorer over the last three seasons and they'll need him to return to his proper form if they hope to keep their playoff hopes alive.

Connor Bedard takes on the Islanders tonight for the first time in his NHL career. The 18-year-old phenom is just under a point per game with 57 through 60 games and was just named Rookie of the Month for the third time this season. He's been shifted to the wing recently, giving him more freedom on the offensive end of the ice. On a roster without much star power, if the Islanders can shut down the teenager then goals may be hard to come by.

PROJECTED LINEUP

ISLANDERS

Casey Cizikas - Bo Horvat - Mat Barzak
Pierre Engvall - Brock Nelson - Kyle Palmieri
Anders Lee - JG Pageau - Hudson Fasching
Matt Martin - Kyle MacLean - Cal Clutterbuck

Alexander Romanov - Noah Dobson
Adam Pelech - Ryan Pulock
Mike Reilly - Robert Bortuzzo

Ilya Sorokin
Semyon Varlamov

Blackhawks

Connor Bedard - Jason Dickinson - Phillip Kurashev
Nick Foligno - Tyler Johnson - Taylor Raddysh
Lukas Reichel - Andreas Athanasiou - Joey Anderson
Landon Slaggert - Mackenzie Entwistle

Alex Vlasic - Seth Jones
Kevin Korchinski - Jaycob Megna
Jarred Tinordi - Wyatt Kaiser

Petr Mrazek
Arvid Soderblom