The Chicago Blackhawks secured a thrilling 5-3 victory over the New York Islanders on Sunday, led by Connor Bedard’s clutch goal in the final minute and Arvid Soderblom’s impressive 30 saves. The win came as a much-needed boost for Chicago, which had struggled recently, losing seven of their previous eight games, including a 4-1 defeat to New Jersey the night before. Teuvo Teravainen contributed significantly with a goal and two assists, while Taylor Hall, Ilya Mikheyev, and Connor Murphy also found the back of the net.
Bedard’s decisive goal, his seventh of the season, broke a 3-3 tie late in the third period. His low-slot shot slipped just past Islanders goaltender Ilya Sorokin, who made 18 saves but couldn’t recover in time to stop the puck. This moment marked a standout performance for Bedard, highlighting his value as a key playmaker for Chicago. Murphy sealed the victory with an empty-netter, his first goal of the season, as the Blackhawks successfully closed out the game.
The Islanders, despite battling injuries, showed resilience throughout the match. Simon Holmstrom, Ryan Pulock, and Noah Dobson scored for New York, with Dobson tying the game early in the third period. However, the team missed the presence of Bo Horvat, sidelined due to a lower-body injury. New York, now on a three-game road trip, struggled on special teams, going 0 for 4 on the power play against a Chicago penalty kill that has been flawless over its last nine games.
Chicago’s performance reflected marked improvements in critical areas. The team capitalized on a 5-on-3 power play with Teravainen’s goal, and defenseman Alex Vlasic added two assists in a solid showing. The Blackhawks demonstrated their ability to overcome adversity and execute late in the game, a skill they had lacked in recent outings. The win also snapped New York’s recent dominance, as the Islanders had defeated Chicago 5-4 just days earlier.
Looking ahead, both teams have little time to rest. The Islanders continue their road trip against the Carolina Hurricanes, while the Blackhawks remain at home to face the Washington Capitals on Tuesday. For Chicago, Sunday’s victory may serve as a pivotal turning point as they seek consistency and momentum in their upcoming games.
