NYI 3, CHI 2: Islanders prove their mettle by prevailing over Blackhawks

The New York Islanders stood tall in a tight test against a Western Conference powerhouse, getting the best of the Chicago Blackhawks by a score of 3-2 on home ice.

Here's what you need to know:

• The game remained scoreless until the 35 minute mark, at which time Dan Carcillo and Cal Clutterbuck traded goals six seconds apart to make it a 1-1 affair heading into the third period.
• Patrick Kane went showtime on Jaroslav Halak, beating the Islanders goaltender backhand shelf to give Chicago the lead early in the final frame.

• In another quick burst of offense, the Islanders jumped ahead for good on goals by Kyle Okposo and Lubomir Visnovsky scored 51 seconds apart to bring the score to 3-2 with nine minutes left in the contest.
• Chicago held the advantage in shots after one by a margin of 10-8, but the Islanders fired 33 on Scott Darling over the course of the final 40 minutes, while Chicago mustered only 15 during that time.
• The loss snapped a three-game losing streak for the Islanders, all of which had come at the hands of Central Division teams.
• Other notable stats: Hits - NYI: 42, CHI 29; Power plays - NYI: 1/3, CHI: 0/1; Blocked shots - NYI: 18, CHI: 12