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Blackhawks vs. Islanders game preview: Chicago seeks 3rd straight win

The Chicago Blackhawks seek their third consecutive win and a road sweep in New York when they visit the Islanders on Thursday night at Barclays Center.

The Hawks have won their last two, including a 2-1 victory over the Rangers on Tuesday night. Scott Darling, making his sixth straight start since Corey Crawford went on injured reserve after an appendectomy surgery Dec. 3, made 33 saves for the win. Chicago (19-8-4) is 3-0-1 in their last four outings, with Darling allowing three goals.

Artem Anisimov scored the game-winner against the Rangers. Anisimov is the first Hawk to score three game-winning goals in as many games since Patrick Sharp did in 2011-12, according to Elias. Anisimov is tied with Jeff Carter for the league lead in game-winners at six.

Andrew Ladd, the former two-time Hawk who helped win a Stanley Cup with Chicago in 2010 and was re-acquired at the trade deadline last February, will face his former team for the first time. In the offseason, he signed a seven-year contract worth $38.5 million with the Islanders. Ladd hasn’t found much success this season, scoring only three goals and six points in 28 games.

It wouldn’t be the Hawks vs. Islanders without discussion of Jonathan Toews vs. John Tavares. They’re two of Team Canada’s best forwards for international tournaments and captain their respective NHL squads. Toews had a shot on goal in 18 minutes, 9 seconds of ice time Tuesday in his return from a back injury that sidelined him for nine games. Tavares, however, has been one of the Islanders most productive players this month with three goals in his last four contests.

The Islanders are heading the opposite direction of the Hawks, having dropped its last two games and are in last place of the red-hot Metropolitan Division. Not much as gone well this season, but the Islanders have taken nine of their 11 wins at home.

Chicago swept the season series last season. Patrick Kane led the Hawks with five points (three goals and two assists), while Artemi Panarin had a goal and two helpers.

For more on the Islanders, visit Lighthouse Hockey.

Lineups

Blackhawks

Forwards

Hartman – Toews – Hossa
Panarin – Anisimov – Kane
Rasmussen – Kruger – Panik
Motte – Hinostroza – Desjardins

Defensemen

Keith – Hjalmarsson
Forsling – Seabrook
van Riemsdyk – Campbell

Goalie

Scott Darling

Islanders

Forwards

Bailey – Tavares – Nelson
Ladd – Strome – Kulemin
Prince – Beauvillier – Chimera
Lee – Cizikas – Clutterbuck

Defensemen

Leddy – Hamonic
Hickey – Boychuck
de Haan – Seidenberg

Goalie

Halak

How to watch Blackhawks at Islanders

Time: 6 p.m. CT

Where: Barclays Center, New York City

TV: CSN Chicago

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