Panarin, Blackhawks Power Past Islanders, 5-4

Artemi Panarin had two power play goals and an assist as the Chicago Blackhawks outlasted the New York Islanders, 5-4 in Brooklyn Thursday night.

The Islanders jumped on Scott Darling and the Hawks early with 2 goals in the first 3:48 of the first period thanks to an aggressive and desperate Islander team who are currently the bottom dwellers in the Eastern Conference.

Then the key play of the game happened 5 minutes later when Ryan Hartman laid a good, clean hit on Casey Cizikas, who took exception and was tossed into the penalty box for Roughing.  Hartman did not bite and did not take a penalty with him.  Shortly afterwards on the power play, it was the "Breadman", doing what he does best and one-timing a shot past Islanders goalie, Thomas Greiss, to cut the lead in half.  

Less than five minutes later, the Hawks returned to the power play and it was a tic-tac-toe connection of Panarin-Kane-Anismov, that tied the game at 2.  A minute after that, it was sweet back pass from Hartman to the ageless, Marian Hossa, who netted his 16th goal of the year to put the Hawks on top, 3-2  The Islanders would tie it just before the end of the period.  The first period...6 goals......

The second period was more defensive as both teams traded goals.  The Hawks tallied with :21 left in the period on Panarin's 2nd PPG of the game.  The penalty, was the second drawn by Hartman.

The third period was tightly played until Richard Panik shot one past Griess 13:47 in for his 8th of the year.  From then, the Hawks played their game and held on for the win.

But it was the play of Hartman that sparked the team.  He drew two penalties, rattled Cizikas with a hit, and assisted on Hossa's goal.  Huge game by someone who is being asked to fill the skates of Andrew Shaw.

Notable Mentions: Brent Seabrook played his 874th career game as a Blackhawk, which puts him 9th on the Blackhawks All-Time games played list.  Duncan Keith's two assists tonight, put him ahead of Pierre Pilote for the 4th most points by a Blackhawks defenseman (476).  The Blackhawks were a perfect, 3 for 3 on the power play.

3 Stars Of The Game
1st - CHI - Artemi Panarin - (2G 1A)
2nd - CHI - Duncan Keith (2A)
3rd - NYI - Andrew Ladd (1G)

Next Game: Saturday, December 17th, Away Vs. St. Louis Blues, 7PM CT, TV-CSN, RADIO-720WGN-AM

LET'S GO HAWKS!!!