Toews' first goal lifts Isles past Blackhawks in OT

[January 04, 2019]  Devon Toews scored his first NHL goal 1:48 into overtime Thursday night as the surging New York Islanders edged the Chicago Blackhawks 3-2 in Uniondale, N.Y.

Toews, who was playing in his fifth career game, put back the rebound of his own shot to give the Islanders their fifth consecutive win. New York is also 3-0-1 in four games at Nassau Coliseum, where it will play 16 more regular-season contests.

Mathew Barzal scored both goals in regulation for the Islanders. Goalie Robin Lehner recorded 19 saves in winning his sixth straight decision.

Dominik Kahun and Patrick Kane scored for the Blackhawks, who have lost two straight. Goalie Collin Delia made 47 saves as he took his first loss in four starts this season.

The Blackhawks took the lead just 3:05 into the first, when Kahun swooped just outside the crease and backhanded home a rebound of a shot by Brandon Saad.

Barzal didn't need long to tie the game with the first of his two goals. Johnny Boychuk's shot from the blue line was deflected by Delia and bounced off the stick of New York's Anthony Beauvillier to Barzal, who swung at the puck while it was a few inches off the ice. The puck sailed past Blackhawks defenseman Erik Gustafsson and over the stick arm of Delia at the 6:47 mark.

The Islanders briefly appeared to take the lead with 6:20 left in the second, when Cal Clutterbuck batted home a rebound in the crease. But upon replay, the goal was waved off because Clutterbuck's stick was above the crossbar.

Islanders defenseman Devon Toews (25) celebrates his game winning goal against the Chicago Blackhawks during overtime at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Barzal put the Islanders ahead in similar fashion with 1:04 left in the second, when he was stationed next to Delia as Nick Leddy's shot was initially turned back by the Blackhawks goalie. Barzal then tucked the puck into the corner of the net past a sprawling Delia.

Kane tied the game in unusual fashion 5:01 into the third, when his stick broke as he fired a shot from the faceoff circle. However, Kane put enough on the shot that it fluttered into the crease and skipped past Lehner.

--Field Level Media

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