When NBC Sports scheduled Jan. 3 vs. the Blackhawks as the only New York Islanders appearance of the season, they probably didn’t picture it this way.
The Blackhawks, struggling all year and having fired their three-time Cup-winning coach (who took that job after rejecting the Islanders way back when), came to Nassau Coliseum in a lost season but at least playing better recently.
The Islanders, ruled out by everyone but having won seven of their past eight, came to continue their hot run.
Despite 47 saves by Hawks goalie Collin Delia, the Islanders were able to extend their run to eight wins in their past nine, and a five-game win streak, thanks to overtime persistence by rookie defenseman Devon Toews for a 3-2 win.