Sharp Scores Twice, Including OT Winner For Hawks
UNIONDALE, N.Y. (AP) — Less than a week after beating the New York Islanders in a shootout at home, the Chicago Blackhawks knocked them off in overtime on the road.
For the second time in six days, the Blackhawks squandered a two-goal lead to the Islanders but escaped with a win.
Patrick Sharp scored off a rebound 1:34 into overtime for his second goal of the game, and the Blackhawks skated off with a 3-2 win against New York on Thursday night.
"Sharpie is playing well," Chicago coach Joel Quenneville said. "His goal that put us up 2-0 was big."
Marian Hossa had the other Blackhawks goal, and Ray Emery made 31 saves for the victory.
Al Montoya played well for the Islanders, turning aside 25 shots. The Islanders rallied from a 2-0 deficit on goals by defensemen Travis Hamonic and Steve Staios.
Hossa opened the scoring 11:42 in, tapping a loose puck past Montoya for his 400th NHL goal.
"I'm very happy about it, especially because it came in a win," Hossa said. "Since the beginning of the game, we had great chances."
The Blackhawks took a 2-0 lead when Sharp ripped a shot past Montoya at 2:23 of the second period.
The Islanders weren't playing well, but they caught a break with 1:39 left in the period when Hamonic's slap shot from the right point got past Emery. Staios tied it at 10:52 of the third when his slap shot from the left point eluded Emery.
New York had other opportunities earlier in the period, but was turned aside on a 5-on-3 power play that lasted for 1:56. Islanders shots either hit Emery or missed the net.
"That five-on-three was huge," Quenneville said. "It was a great kill."
Chicago wound up with two shots in overtime. Montoya made a save on Hossa's shot, but had no chance at the rebound that Sharp put in.
"I thought at times we looked fatigued," Islanders coach Jack Capuano said. "But our team kept fighting back. Yes, we only got one point, but we need all the points we can get."
NOTES: Emery is 5-1-2 this season as a backup to Corey Crawford. ... The Islanders were missing several injured players but got forward Michael Grabner back in the lineup after he missed one game because of a groin injury. ... New York is 4-0-2 in its last six games. ... The Blackhawks are off until Sunday when they will host San Jose.
(TM and © Copyright 2010 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
