Islanders score 2 in 51 seconds to beat Chicago

The Chicago Blackhawks were trying to extend the longest winning streak in the NHL this season. The New York Islanders were trying to keep their worst skid from getting any longer.

On a raucous night at Nassau Coliseum, both sides had good reason to believe they would be successful.

After Patrick Kane gave the Blackhawks the lead in the third period, the slumping Islanders found their game and the net - twice in 51 seconds - to rally for a 3-2 victory on Saturday.

“We weren’t happy with the last three games, that’s no secret,’’ Islanders captain John Tavares said. “We’ve got a good team and we know how to respond, and we know we have to get better.’’

The Blackhawks provided a great test for the Islanders (20-10), one of the NHL’s surprise teams this season.

When Kyle Okposo and Lubomir Visnovsky struck in quick succession, Chicago’s winning streak was over at eight and New York’s losing run was snapped at three.

“I’m not a hero,’’ said Visnovsky, whose second goal of the season was the winner. “I try to play the best that I can. Sometimes it’s not easy and sometimes you look like a hero. Today I look like a hero.’’

There were plenty of players who could claim that title on this night. Cal Clutterbuck scored 6 seconds after Daniel Carcillo gave Chicago a 1-0 lead in the second period. Okposo knotted it at 2 with a power-play goal, setting up Visnovsky’s clutch finish.

New York fired 41 shots at backup goalie Scott Darling, a total that couldn’t have been predicted when the Islanders recorded only eight in the first period.

“We were just trying to shoot the puck and go to the net,’’ Okposo said. “When we do that, we’re a pretty good team.’’

After Kane put the Blackhawks ahead 3:46 into the third with an end-to-end rush with a backhanded finish, Okposo tied it off a rebound of Tavares’ shot with 9:50 left.

Visnovsky then skated across the Chicago zone and beat Darling to put New York in front at 11:01.

AP