Chicago, IL (Sports Network) - Mark Streit scored a pair of power-play goals and added an assist, while Peter Mannino earned the win in his first-career start with a 40-save performance as the New York Islanders defeated the Chicago Blackhawks, 4-2, at the United Center.
Mannino was playing in only his second career game. He made his NHL debut against Boston on November 28, 2008, and allowed three goals on eight shots in 13:02 of action.
"They had a lot of shots and are very offensive minded," Mannino said about the Blackhawks. "I tried to lose the nerves as quick as I could and just do what I was supposed to. It's better to have a lot of shots, especially when you stop a few early on. It builds your confidence. I tried to keep us in the game and give us a chance, but to steal a game from Chicago is just awesome."
Richard Park and Frans Nielsen also tallied for the Islanders, who dropped a 2-1 decision at Boston on Saturday. New York has won five of eight overall.
Kris Versteeg and Patrick Kane accounted for the Chicago goals. The Blackhawks have dropped four of their last five, including three of four on their homestand.
Chicago netminder Nikolai Khabibulin returned to the ice for the first time since suffering a groin injury on February 11 against Atlanta and allowed four goals on only 19 shots.
Chicago hasn't beaten the Islanders since a 3-2 win at Nassau Coliseum on December 10, 2002.
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"We've got to just keep working and practicing and try to keep the boos out of your head," Blackhawks defenseman Brian Campbell said. "But tonight we sat back and had a bad second period. You have to just bear down a little bit more, keep pushing and find ways to win."
After a scoreless first period, Streit's power-play blast from the top of the left circle opened the scoring with 7:41 left in the second.
However, Chicago responded by tying things less than 3 1/2 minutes later when Versteeg jammed home a rebound from in close.
New York then tallied twice late in the stanza. First, it was Blake Comeau setting up Park with 2:11 remaining. Then, with the Isles skating with the man advantage, Nielsen picked up Streit's slap pass from the point and beat Khabibulin with under a minute to play. The visitors took the 3-1 advantage into the second intermission.
Mannino continued his stellar play in the third and the Islanders got another power-play marker at 7:46. Bruno Gervais filtered a pass to Streit at the point and the blueliner fired a slap shot over the shoulder of Khabibulin to make it a 4-1 game.
In desperation mode and already on the power play, Khabibulin was pulled, setting up a 6-on-4 advantage with nearly 4 1/2 minutes left. The Islanders were then whistled for another penalty, making it a 6-on-3.
After Mannino made several point-blank saves, Kane finally got a rebound past the Isles netminder to draw Chicago within two with 1:43 on the game clock. However, the Blackhawks weren't able to get any closer.
