Tuesday at UBS Arena, the Chicago Blackhawks lost 2-1 to the New York Islanders after giving up two goals in the third period.

Ten observations from the loss are as follows:

1. Petr Mrazek performed admirably for two quarters. According to Natural Stat Trick, he stopped the first 24 shots he faced and saved 2.01 goals more than was predicted. The Blackhawks failed to hold onto their early lead and provide him with more run support, even though he deserved two points.

2. The Islanders’ third-period goal that ended up winning the game was just really unfortunate. Mrazek was waiting for the ring-around when the puck struck something on the end wall. Simon Holmstrom scored the game-winning goal a few seconds later after finding the back of the net. Hard break.

3. After two periods, neither team had any minor penalties. In the first five minutes of the third period, the Blackhawks committed two, one of which happened at the 10 second mark. The Blackhawks made a valiant effort to bend but not break, and the Islanders took advantage of the first one.

4. The Islanders, who were participating in a back-to-back game, started off strong, leading me to believe that the first period would be even more lopsided. However, the Blackhawks calmed down in the second half of the game and led 1-0 at the break. Despite having few attempts on goal, they had six high-danger opportunities at even strength.

5. Jason Dickinson gave Chicago a 1-0 lead with his 21st goal of the year after he and Connor Bedard exchanged passes. Dickinson’s pass off the boards was terrific, but Bedard’s was much better. With seven games remaining, Dickinson is just six points shy of reaching forty. I believe he hits that mark and finishes well.

6. The Blackhawks had a 13-1 advantage in scoring opportunities when Bedard was on the ice at even strength. The Islanders had 22-9 scoring opportunities when he was off the ice. The only other line that produced anything was his.

7. After laying a huge hit on Jean-Gabriel Pageau a few minutes earlier, Islanders enforcer Matt Martin dropped the gloves with Jarred Tinordi at the end of the first period. Martin and Tinordi are two formidable opponents. Although it lasted nearly 35 seconds, not much happened during the fight.

8. Nikita Zaitsev (illness/upper body) and Colin Blackwell (upper body) returned to practice on Monday, but neither player participated in games. Nevertheless, it’s encouraging that they, particularly Blackwell, are back on the ice. It would have been difficult for him to not end the season on a positive note because he has been so brilliant this season.

9. The Islanders, who are battling to make the playoffs, pulled off a huge victory. They won’t get in, in my opinion still. In my opinion, Detroit manages to secure the Eastern Conference’s final wildcard position. Patrick Kane was most likely cheering for the Blackhawks at home throughout this game.

10. Three prospects for the Blackhawks—Ryan Greene of Boston University, Frank Nazar of Michigan, and Aidan Thompson of Denver—made it to the Frozen Four, which takes place from April 11–13. Like Greene (and Thompson), Nazar has a few more weeks to determine whether or not he wants to become a professional. Oliver Moore and Sam Rinzel, both freshmen from Minnesota, were eliminated in the second round.

Simon Holmstrom’s late goal lifts Islanders to 2-1 win over Blackhawks

Simon Holmstrom’s late goal lifts Islanders to 2-1 win over Blackhawks

NEW YORK (AP) — On Tuesday evening, the New York Islanders defeated the Chicago Blackhawks 2-1 thanks to goals from Bo Horvat and Simon Holmstrom in the third quarter.

New York, who was only one point behind Washington for the second wild card in the Eastern Conference, was led by Ilya Sorokin, who made eighteen saves.

Chicago, who had won three of four games, was in last place until Jason Dickinson scored. Petr Mrazek made 27 stops, and Connor Bedard contributed an assist.

At 7:49 in the first period, Bedard discovered Dickinson scurrying toward the back, and the Blackhawks took the lead. An odd-man rush opportunity was created when Islanders defenseman Noah Dobson fumbled the puck over in the offensive zone and Casey Cizikas failed to follow Dickinson.

It was Dickinson’s 21st goal overall, improving his record. With the first overall pick in the NHL draft by Chicago, the 18-year-old center Bedard recorded his team-high 37th assist in his debut campaign.

At 1:33 into the third, Horvat scored his team-high 31st goal to knot the score at one. On the power play, he buried a feed from Mathew Barzal.

At 9:25, Holmstrom placed New York ahead. He scored his 14th goal by slamming home a stray puck.

In the latter half of a back-to-back, it was the Islanders’ first victory in ten games. On Monday night, they defeated Philadelphia 4-3 in overtime.

Late in the first period, Islanders forward Matt Martin got into a physical altercation with Jarred Tinordi after Tinordi gave Jean-Gabriel Pageau a hard check.