In Chicago, Bo Horvat made a significant impact by scoring during regulation and clinching the game-winning goal in the shootout, leading the New York Islanders to a 3-2 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks on Tuesday night. Horvat was the only player to score in the shootout, beating goaltender Spencer Knight on the stick side.
Callum Ritchie also found the net for New York during regulation. David Rittich, the Blackhawks’ goalie, made 17 saves but eventually conceded goals to Teuvo Teravainen and Ryan Donato during a high-paced match. This win marked the Islanders’ third victory in their last four games.
For Chicago, Nick Lardis scored, and Knight stopped 19 shots before the game went to overtime. The Blackhawks have now slipped to a 3-9-2 record in their last 14 games. Chicago had a late chance to win in regulation when Nick Foligno hit the post in the final moments, while New York failed to capitalize on an overtime power play.
Blackhawks forward Jason Dickinson did not return to the game after the first period due to an undisclosed injury. The team was already dealing with absences, as Conor Bedard and Frank Nazar remain sidelined.
The Islanders took advantage of Chicago’s sluggish start, quickly jumping to a 2-0 lead in the first period. Ritchie put New York on the board just 2:56 in, after a turnover by Blackhawks defenseman Wyatt Kaiser. Horvat then scored his 21st point of the season with a power-play one-timer at 12:08, marking his second consecutive game scoring on the power play. Matthew Shafer, this year’s number one draft pick, assisted on Horvat’s goal, becoming the youngest defenseman in NHL history to reach 25 career points at 18 years old.
Chicago fought back with two late goals in the second period, including Teravainen’s seventh goal of the season, assisted by Oliver Moore at 15:31, and Lardis’ second career goal scored in the closing seconds of the period.
Looking ahead, both teams will be playing at home on Thursday: the Islanders will face the Utah Mammoths, while the Blackhawks will take on the Dallas Stars.
Fan Take: This game highlights the resilience and up-and-coming talent in the NHL, especially with young stars like Horvat and Shafer making big plays. For hockey fans, it’s a thrilling reminder of how quickly momentum can shift and how crucial every moment is in competitive matchups.
