With just over a minute left in regulation, Chicago’s Artemi Panarin scored to tie the New York Islanders 1-1 and help the Blackhawks salvage the game in a 2-1 shootout win Friday.
Panarin scored with the extra attacker as Chicago pulled Corey Crawford to pressure 
the Isles net.
“We just kept playing hard, never gave up, and it’s nice to see [Panarin] get a big shot there [in the third],” Crawford said. “It’s good. We’re not always going to be up in every game. It’s not always going to go our way, so we’ve got to battle back in some games. We showed some character there.”
The Islanders benefitted Friday night from the loss by the Toronto Maple Leafs to the Ducks in Anaheim; the Isles lead the Leafs by a single point.
“It could have gone either way, but there are storms to be weathered on the road in any building,” Isles head coach Doug Weight said. “I was ecstatic with how we played. I think it was a greatly goaltended game by both guys. [Crawford] saved their bacon as much as [Greiss] saved ours.”
Brock Nelson scored the lone New York goal on a shorthanded situation late in the middle frame.
“You’re not happy about the outcome by any means, but this time of year, you take your points and move forward,” New York’s Travis Hamonic said.
WATCH: All Islanders vs. Blackhawks highlights
Thomas Greiss made 30 saves in taking the loss.
“[In the end], they played more aggressive,” Greiss said. “At the end, they pressed hard. When they put the top three guys together, it’s a good lineup.”
You must be logged in to post a comment.