Cal Clutterbuck celebrates his goal during the second period.
AP Photo by Kathy Kmonicek/Getty Images

Big goals 51 seconds apart from Kyle Okposo and Lubomir Visnovsky led the Islanders to a big win over the Blackhawks. They rallied back from a goal down defeating Chicago 3-2 to end a three-game losing streak. They became the second team to win 20 games joining the Blackhawks. Overall, they’re 20-10-0 through 30 and trail the Penguins by two in the division.

On a night the franchise honored Clark Gillies, the Islanders showed resilience to prevail over one of the league’s best. The Blackhawks had their eight-game win streak snapped. It didn’t come easy. Despite controlling a majority of the action, they found themselves trailing early in the third thanks to some wizardry from Patrick Kane. The American superstar turned a Brandon Saad outlet into a goal of the year candidate by outskating Lubomir Visnovsky and then roofing a backhand top shelf on Jaroslav Halak with little real estate.

The Isles took advantage of a Kris Versteeg high-sticking minor to tie the game. Following some close calls on Chicago netminder Scott Darling, a great keep by former Hawk Nick Leddy allowed his team to maintain possession. Eventually, Darling kicked out a John Tavares rebound right to Okposo, who went upstairs to the short side for his seventh evening the score with 9:50 left.

On the very next shift, strong work from Matt Martin and Ryan Strome allowed Lubomir Visnovsky to get the winner 51 seconds later. Coming through the neutral zone, Martin handed off for Strome, who drew a pair of Hawks. The super sophomore found a vacated Visnovsky, who then walked in and beat Darling top shelf. A pretty goal thanks to some great teamwork.

Entering tonight, the Isles had struggled protecting leads with some recent meltdowns. That wasn’t the case against the Hawks. They took away the neutral zone and made superb defensive plays. Even when Darling was lifted for an extra attacker, there was no panic. Despite a whirlwind of talent that included captain Jonathan Toews, who played despite taking a tough hit, they never managed to get anything set up. A credit to the Long Island hosts who learned from this past week.

A well played game remained scoreless until a couple of odd goals six seconds apart during the second. Both goalies were good. Jaroslav Halak made 23 saves while Darling did his part with 38 stops. The Hawks struck first a weird bounce. Halak made a save but the puck took a funny hop in mid-air and came down to Daniel Carillo, who stuffed home his fourth. Not bad for a guy who the Rangers didn’t even attempt to re-sign. However, the Isles struck right back when Cal Clutterbuck took full advantage of a Duncan Keith giveaway to put home his fourth.

Ironically, both tallies came with Gillies in the booth talking to MSG’s Howie Rose and former Cup teammate Butch Goring. Gillies helped the franchise win four straight. His tough style was popular. Riding shotgun on the Isles’ top line with Bryan Trottier and Mike Bossy, he scored key goals and fought all comers including noted enforcers Dave Schultz and Terry O’Reilly. In a dozen seasons on Long Island after being selected fourth overall in 1974, Gillies totaled 304 goals, 359 assists for 663 points and 891 penalty minutes. During their first three Cups, he scored 20 goals and totaled 45 points with 125 PIM. That was good enough to get him elected into the Hockey Hall Of Fame in 2002.

On a special night, it was appropriate that the Islanders played some of their best hockey. They did it against a former Cup champ making Gillies proud.

BONY 3 Stars:

3rd Star-Patrick Kane, Chi (14th of season-Kanetastic!)

2nd Star-Matt Martin, NYI (assist, 7 hits, +2 in 16 shifts-12:50-very active)

1st Star-Lubomir Visnovsky, NYI (2nd of season for GW along with superb D)