The Chicago Blackhawks roughed up New York in a 5-0 blowout on Sunday, ending a string of six straight losses to the Islanders.
Corey Crawford made 29 saves for the shutout to help Chicago (23-18-3) beat the Islanders for the first time since 2002.
Patrick Sharp opened the scoring at 4 minutes, 52 seconds in the first period and the Blackhawks got four goals in the second from Marian Hossa, Patrick Kane, Dave Bolland and Niklas Hjalmarsson.
PHOTO: AFP
“It definitely feels good,” Hossa told reporters after also adding two assists. “We were dominating from the beginning to the end. Everybody chipped in and we jumped on them right away.”
Sharp netted his team--leading 25th goal of the season and his fourth in as many games for the defending Stanley Cup champion Blackhawks, who are currently sixth in a tight Western Conference.
For Crawford, it was his first shutout since 2008. He made a highlight save on a breakaway from New York’s Michael Grabner in the first that set the tone for the game.
Goaltender Nathan Lawson had 40 saves for the Islanders (13-21-6), who entered the night having won eight of their last 11.
It was the first start for Lawson since he was pulled after allowing two goals on three shots in a loss to Edmonton, Alberta, on Thursday.
The Islanders, who have the second lowest points total in the Eastern Conference, completed a five-game road trip with a record of 3-2, but were not pleased with their latest effort.
DEVILS 6, LIGHTNING 3
In Newark, New Jersey, Martin Brodeur made 33 saves and the New Jersey Devils had season highs for goals in a game and a period as they cruised to victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Jason Arnott’s lucky go-ahead goal highlighted a five-goal third period that carried New Jersey to their third win in 18 games. It was only the Devils’ second win in 27 games when they trailed after two periods.
Arnott was credited with the game winner after Henrik Tallinder’s shot ricocheted off his hand into the net. The play was reviewed and Arnott’s 10th goal of the season stood.
The 38-year-old Brodeur had sat out two straight games as the backup to Johan Hedberg, before returning to the starting lineup against the Lightning.
Teddy Purcell, Ryan Malone and Dominic Moore scored for Tampa Bay.
HURRICANES 4, THRASHERS 3, OT
In Raleigh, North Carolina, Erik Cole scored 2 minutes, 9 seconds into overtime to lift surging Carolina past Atlanta.
Tuomo Ruutu, Zac Dalpe and Jeff Skinner also scored for the Hurricanes, who are 5-0-2 in their last seven games.
Cole scored the game winner after being denied by Ondrej Pavelec on a partial breakaway. After the rebound went to the corner, Cole recollected it, skated in on Pavelec and beat him blocker side.
In other NHL play, it was:
‧ Stars 4, Wild 0
‧ Ducks 1, Sharks 0
OUT AGAINST INDONESIA: Taiwan reached the semi-finals at the tournament for the first time by defeating Denmark, with Chou Tien-chen beating Viktor Axelsen Taiwan yesterday crashed out of the Thomas Cup team competition in Chengdu, China, but achieved their best result at the top-tier badminton event by reaching the semi-finals. Indonesia were too good in the semis, winning 3-0 to advance to today’s final against China, who eliminated Malaysia 3-1. In the opening singles of the men’s team clash at the Hi-Tech Zone Sports Center Gymnasium 2, Anthony Ginting defeated Taiwan’s Chou Tien-chen 21-18, 21-19 in 51 minutes, which put a huge hole in Taiwan’s aspirations to perhaps even make the final. In the men’s doubles, Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Ardianto downed Lee Yang and Wang
NO DOUBT: Spurs star Wembanyama was unanimously selected as NBA Rookie of the Year, winning all 99 votes to become the first Frenchman to capture the honor The Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday night produced a dominant defensive display to seize a commanding 2-0 lead in their best-of-seven playoff series against the Denver Nuggets with a 106-80 road victory. The third-seeded Timberwolves harassed Denver relentlessly to claim a second straight win over the NBA champions as the series heads back to Minneapolis for Game 3 on Friday. Karl-Anthony Towns and Anthony Edwards scored 27 points apiece, but the star of the show was Minnesota’s suffocating defensive effort, which knocked Denver out of their stride almost from the tip-off. The Timberwolves finished with 11 steals and 12 blocks, in sharp contrast to
Top-ranked Iga Swiatek on Saturday came through “the most intense and crazy final” she has ever contested to avenge her loss to Aryna Sabalenka in last year’s Madrid Open final with a grueling three hour, 11 minute victory in the Spanish capital. Coming back from 1-3 down in the decider and saving three match points in total, Swiatek claimed a 7-5, 4-6, 7-6 (9/7) victory to secure the Madrid Open trophy for the first time. “Well, who is going to say now that women’s tennis is boring, right?” Swiatek said. Swiatek, who picked up the 20th title of her career, and ninth at
Playing soccer and competing for trophies is the best way that many transplanted Hong Kongers and Macanese have found to stay in touch, and to interact with Taiwanese society, said officials at the Taiwan-Hong Kong-Macau Football Friendship Cup, which was held on April 13. Twelve clubs, mostly of players and coaches originally from Hong Kong and Macau, took part in the tournament in New Taipei City. The event is sponsored by the Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) and the Taiwan-Hong Kong Economic and Cultural Co-operation Council. Participating teams were from the wider Taipei area, Hsinchu, Taichung, Kaohsiung and other areas. They divided into two