The Chicago Blackhawks erased a two-goal deficit but fell 3-2 to the New York Islanders in a shootout at United Center on Tuesday night. Bo Horvat scored the only successful shootout attempt to give New York the victory.
First Period
The Islanders jumped out to an early lead, taking advantage of a slow start by Chicago. Following a turnover by Wyatt Kaiser, Calum Ritchie beat Spencer Knight from the slot at 2:56 for his fifth goal of the season. Simon Holmstrom and Maxim Shabanov assisted on the play.
Horvat extended the lead to 2-0 at 12:08 of the first period, scoring on a power play. Mathew Barzal found Horvat with a backhand pass in the left face-off circle, where he buried a snap shot for his 21st goal of the season and second in as many games.
Matthew Schaefer recorded the secondary assist on Horvat's goal. The 18-year-old defenseman, who was the first overall pick in the 2025 draft, became the youngest defenseman in NHL history to reach 25 career points. Schaefer also reached the milestone in the fourth-fewest games for an 18-year-old defenseman, requiring 40 games.
Second Period
Chicago rallied with two goals late in the second period. Teuvo Teravainen brought the Blackhawks within 2-1 at 15:31, scoring while skating backward in the right circle. Oliver Moore fed the puck to Teravainen for his seventh goal of the season and first since November 28, ending a 14-game drought. Artyom Levshunov also assisted on the play.
With the Blackhawks on a four-minute power play after Horvat was assessed a double minor for high-sticking, Nick Lardis tied the game 2-2 at 19:57. He received a cross-ice pass from Moore and scored on a snap shot from the right circle for his second career goal. Ryan Greene also assisted on the play.
Moore finished with two assists on the night, setting up both Chicago goals.
Third Period and Overtime
Neither team scored in the third period or overtime. Chicago had a prime scoring opportunity in the final seconds of regulation when Nick Foligno shot the puck off a post.
New York was unsuccessful on a power play in overtime after Levshunov was called for tripping at 2:43.
Shootout
In the shootout, Horvat beat Knight on the goaltender's stick side in the second round for the only successful attempt. David Rittich denied both Teuvo Teravainen and Ryan Donato for the Blackhawks to secure the victory.
Goaltending
Knight made 19 saves through overtime for Chicago. Rittich stopped 17 shots for New York.
Injuries
Blackhawks forward Jason Dickinson did not play after the first period and is day to day with an unspecified injury. Chicago was already playing without Connor Bedard and Frank Nazar due to injuries.
Forward Ilya Mikheyev returned to the lineup after missing two games for personal reasons.
By the Numbers
Chicago fell to 14-18-7 with the loss, dropping to 3-9-2 in their last 14 games.
New York improved to 22-14-4, winning for the third time in four games.
Both teams play at home Thursday. Chicago hosts the Dallas Stars, while the Islanders face Utah.