Islanders Lean on UBS Ice Against Blackhawks
Barzal and Horvat headline New York’s attack while Chicago counts on Kane and kids to crack a deep Isles crease.
Written before the game
Both teams have been giving up more good looks than they’d like, so this one could hinge on who steadies first in net. By the models of chance quality — expected goals — each side has been allowing nearly four per night: the Blackhawks at 3.84 and the Islanders at 3.93. That’s a red flag for both blue lines and a hint that results may swing fast if the finishing or goaltending tilts.
For New York, veterans like Mathew Barzal and Bo Horvat drive the forward mix, and the organization can tap a deep goalie group that includes Ilya Sorokin and Semyon Varlamov. Chicago counters with Patrick Kane alongside emerging pieces such as Frank Nazar, Anton Frondell, and puck-moving defender Artyom Levshunov.
Standings-wise, the Islanders sit 6th in the Metro and 13th in the East at 1-2-0 (2 points), while the Blackhawks are 8th in the Central and 14th in the West at 1-3-0 (2 points). Early, yes — but banking home points while tightening those defensive chances is the path out of the pack.
