Bo Horvat went off for two goals, absolutely sparking the Islanders to a 4-1 win over the Chicago Blackhawks on Thursday night. Ilya Sorokin was dialed in, making 22 saves as New York picked up their second win in three games. It was a big night for the offense, but the team was hit with some brutal news that’s gonna sting.
Islanders Offense Kicks Into Gear
Man, Horvat has that clutch factor. He got things rolling with a power-play goal in the final minute of the first period. He buried a rebound after Matthew Schaefer blasted a slap shot from the point. That’s how you get momentum. Emil Heineman doubled the lead 6:44 into the second with a slick wrist shot past Arvid Soderblom. Then Anthony Duclair, thanks to a sweet pass from Logan Stanley who got two assists tonight, found himself all alone near the back post for his first goal of the season, pushing it to a commanding 3-0. Soderblom ended up with 15 saves, but the Islanders were pouring it on.
Blackhawks’ Early Season Woes Continue Amidst Devastating Islanders Injury
Frank Nazar did manage to spoil Sorokin’s shutout bid late in the third, but Horvat was not done. He capped off his incredible night with an empty-netter with just over a minute left to seal the 4-1 victory. The Blackhawks, though, are really struggling, losing for the fourth time in five games to kick off their season. That’s a rough start, plain and simple. What’s even tougher to swallow for the Islanders is the news about defenseman Alexander Romanov. He left Tuesday night’s game against the Rangers, a 5-2 loss, and now we know why: a torn ACL in his right knee. That means he’s out for the rest of the regular season. Just brutal.
What’s Next for Both Squads
It’s a quick turnaround for both teams. The Blackhawks are heading home to host the Carolina Hurricanes on Saturday, looking to turn things around before this early hole gets too deep. The Islanders, fresh off this big win but reeling from the Romanov news, will be back home to take on the Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday. It’ll be interesting to see how they respond.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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