New York Islanders vs Chicago Blackhawks Picks and Predictions December 12th 2024

Islanders and Blackhawks Clash with Different Agendas in Back-to-Back Matchups

The New York Islanders and Chicago Blackhawks are set to face off in a two-game series beginning Thursday night in Elmont, New York. Both teams enter the matchup with something to prove, albeit under very different circumstances. While the Islanders are vying for playoff positioning, the Blackhawks are playing the role of early-season spoilers as they navigate a challenging rebuild.

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Islanders Seek to Stay Afloat Amid Injuries

The Islanders’ recent 3-1 loss to the Los Angeles Kings on Tuesday highlighted their razor-thin margin for error. Missing key contributors like Mathew Barzal (upper body), Anthony Duclair (lower body), Adam Pelech (jaw), and Mike Reilly (heart), New York has struggled to maintain consistency on both ends of the ice.

“We have to reset and get ready for Thursday,” defenseman Noah Dobson said after the loss. “We can do a better job off the rush. In the last couple games, we gave up too many chances there.”

Despite their challenges, the Islanders remain firmly in the crowded Eastern Conference wild-card race, where 15 of the 16 teams are separated by just four points. With 29 points, they are one point behind the Tampa Bay Lightning and Philadelphia Flyers, who currently hold the two wild-card spots.

Recent offensive production has been concentrated among a few players. Anders Lee, Kyle Palmieri, and Dobson have accounted for seven of the Islanders’ last 13 points over the past three games, underscoring the need for secondary scoring in the absence of key players.

Blackhawks Look to Build Momentum

The Blackhawks snapped a five-game losing streak Monday with a gritty 2-1 win over the New York Rangers. Interim head coach Anders Sorensen earned his first victory since taking over on Dec. 5, replacing Luke Richardson.

Taylor Hall’s game-winner in the second period gave Chicago just its second victory when scoring two or fewer goals this season. The Blackhawks have struggled offensively, scoring only 12 goals over their last six games and ranking third-worst in the NHL with 67 goals on the season.

Despite the challenges, Hall emphasized the importance of building confidence. “We need to get a winning feeling consistently,” Hall said. “One win’s not good enough. We need to stick together and get two, three, four wins. I think you’re going to see a lot more guys play with confidence, play on their toes and a bit more smiles out there.”

Contrasting Stakes

The Islanders’ playoff aspirations make these games critical for keeping pace in the tightly packed Eastern Conference race. Conversely, the Blackhawks are focused on player development and maintaining competitiveness while embracing their rebuilding process.

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For Chicago, the chance to play spoiler offers its own motivation. Monday’s win against the Rangers demonstrated their ability to compete against teams with postseason ambitions, providing a blueprint for the games ahead.

What to Watch

• Islanders’ Depth Scoring: With their top players sidelined, the Islanders need contributions from across the lineup to keep pace in the playoff hunt.
• Blackhawks’ Confidence: After snapping their losing streak, can Chicago carry momentum into Thursday’s game and beyond?
• Special Teams Battle: New York’s defensive lapses off the rush and Chicago’s offensive struggles could make power-play opportunities decisive.

Looking Ahead

This matchup marks the first of two meetings in a three-day span, with the teams reconvening Sunday in Chicago. As the Islanders aim to stay in the playoff race and the Blackhawks work to establish consistency under Sorensen, fans can expect a competitive series with both teams fighting to assert their identity.