New York Islanders press late, but Chicago Blackhawks hold on after 3-goal first period at UBS Arena

The New York Islanders moved to 40-27-5 and stayed on 3 points, while the Chicago Blackhawks improved to 27-31-13 and held 4 points after a 4-3 game at UBS Arena.

First period

The Chicago Blackhawks set the pace by scoring 3 goals in the 1st period while the New York Islanders scored 1.

The Islanders generated 47 shots in the game and the Hawks finished with 24 shots, and that early gap shaped the Islanders’ chase.

The Isles recorded 31 hits and the Hawks had 17, which kept the opening frame physical even as Chicago built its lead.

Second period

The Blackhawks added 1 goal in the 2nd period and the Islanders were held scoreless in the middle frame.

The Isles went 0-for-2 on the power play with 2 power-play shots, and the Hawks went 0-for-2 with 1 power-play shot.

The Islanders won 58 percent of faceoffs on 32 faceoffs won, while the Blackhawks finished at 42 percent on 23 faceoffs won, and the puck possession edge did not change the scoreboard in the period.

Third period

The Islanders scored 2 goals in the 3rd period, and the Blackhawks scored 0 in the 3rd period as the home push tightened the game late.

The New York Islanders vs Chicago Blackhawks turning point came down to Chicago’s 4 even-strength goals standing up against the Isles’ 3 even-strength goals.

The Blackhawks goalie logged 44 saves on 47 shots against with a win credit, while the Islanders goalie recorded 20 saves on 24 shots against with a loss credit.

Simon Holmstrom’s previous-game line of 1 goal on 2 shots and 2 takeaways matched the shoot-first shape that produced the Islanders’ 47-shot night.

Mathew Barzal’s previous-game 1 assist on 5 shots fit the play-driving workload that supported the Isles’ 5 assists in this game.

Bo Horvat’s previous-game 1 assist on 9 shots reflected the volume approach that showed up again in the Islanders’ shot total, according to New York Islanders post-match stats.

The Blackhawks’ featured performers included Nick Lardis, Frank Nazar, and Tyler Bertuzzi as the game’s listed stars, and Chicago’s 17 percent shooting rate outpaced the Isles’ 6 percent rate in the box score.

The New York Islanders vs Chicago Blackhawks tactical recap also included 10 Islanders giveaways against 15 by the Hawks, with the Isles still needing more finish to match their shot count, in the post-game thoughts New York Islanders focused on the comeback attempt.

The Islanders’ next game is scheduled for 7:00 PM EDT on 3/26/2026 at UBS Arena in Belmont Park, New York, USA, against the Dallas Stars, and the broadcast listings include ESPN+, Victory+, and MSGSN.

Catch the next one, then share this article with other Isles fans and keep the recap debate going.