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Toews lifts Blackhawks over Islanders in shootout

Dec 3, 2011 - 6:28 AM Chicago, IL (Sports Network) - Jonathan Toews posted the lone score in the shootout as Chicago nipped the New York Islanders, 5-4, at United Center.

Toews, Patrick Sharp, Andrew Brunette and Ben Smith scored in regulation for the Blackhawks, who have won three of four.

Corey Crawford stopped 37 shots in the first 65 minutes, then all three chances in the shootout for the victory.

"Even though we're going to make mistakes every single game, we're going to find ways to win," Crawford said. "The main thing was that we had a little more energy and preparation for tonight's game than the last one."

P.A. Parenteau and Matt Moulson each notched a goal and one assist for the Islanders, whose two-game win streak was halted.

Al Montoya made 32 saves in defeat.

Toews scored on a wrist shot in the first round of the shootout. Moulson's attempt hit the post to finish the contest.

Kyle Okposo put the Isles on the board just after the four-minute mark on a power play when he tapped in an errant Travis Hamonic shot, but Brunette equalized for the hosts off a Sean O'Donnell pass at 10:27.

Moulson gave the visitors a one-goal edge to New York at the end of the first as he fired past Crawford from the left circle, but Smith answered at 6:41 of the second when he flipped a backhander over a sprawled Montoya.

But Chicago struck while killing off a double minor for high sticking by Steve Montador to take a 3-2 lead into the second intermission. Duncan Keith's long dump-in from his own zone was deflected into the air and bounced into to the New York zone. Isles defender Milan Jurcina bobbled the puck, and Toews worked it free and popped a shot home.

Just 46 seconds into the third, Parenteau rifled a loose puck home from between the circles, but Sharp connected on a power play at 5:08 for a 4-3 'Hawks edge.

"If you're not careful and you're not ready for that you're going to get caught," Montoya said. "You're going to see that. We don't want to play that way, but sometimes that's the way momentum goes."

Nino Niederreiter forged a 4-4 deadlock at 8:55 with a wrister to the far post -- his second career goal.

Game Notes

Chicago improved to 10-2-1 at home against the Islanders since December of 1992...Toews recorded his seventh multi-point effort of the season...Moulson picked up his fourth multi-point game and first since November 7...The Blackhawks upped their shootout record to 3-2, while the Islanders fell to 0-2.