Blackhawks goaltender Robin Lehner blocks a scoring chance by Islanders left wing Michael Dal Colle during the second period on the way to a 5-2 victory over the Islanders on Friday, Dec. 27, 2019, in Chicago. Credit: AP/Matt Marton
CHICAGO — Not having Robin Lehner was far from the Islanders' only problem on Friday night.
The Islanders, forced to fly on the day of the game because of collective-bargaining agreement guidelines coming out of the NHL’s three-day holiday break, were outskated and struggled again in their defensive end in a 5-2 loss to the Blackhawks and their former fan-favorite goalie.