Islanders Defeat Blackhawks 4-1 at UBS Arena
Thursday, October 8, 2026, 7:30 PM ET · UBS Arena
New York Islanders 4, Chicago Blackhawks 1, final. Our NHL picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.
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Quick answers
Who won Chicago Blackhawks vs New York Islanders?
New York Islanders beat Chicago Blackhawks 4-1 at UBS Arena on October 8, 2026.
Who was favored in Chicago Blackhawks vs New York Islanders?
New York Islanders were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -185 (about 65% implied). The favorite won.
The New York Islanders secured a decisive 4-1 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks at UBS Arena, marking their second win of the season and extending their lead in the series to 2-0 against the Blackhawks. The Islanders, who now hold a home record of 3-2-0, showcased a strong performance, particularly in the second period where they scored two goals to take control of the game.
Bo Horvat opened the scoring for the Islanders in the first period with a snap shot, assisted by Matthew Schaefer. The second period saw Emil Heineman and Anthony Duclair add to the Islanders' lead, both scoring with snap shots, making it 3-0 before the Blackhawks could respond. Frank Nazar finally got the Blackhawks on the board in the third period with a slap shot, but Horvat quickly answered back with his second goal of the night, sealing the game at 4-1.
In terms of recent form, the Islanders entered the game with a record of 2-2-0, having won their last game against the New Jersey Devils 6-0. However, their last ten games show a broader struggle with a record of 2-8, averaging 2.3 goals scored and 3.1 goals allowed per game. Conversely, the Blackhawks came into this match with a record of 1-4-0, having recently snapped a losing streak with a 4-2 win against the St. Louis Blues. Their last ten games reflect a 3-7 record, with an average of 2.6 goals scored and 4.1 goals allowed.
Home advantage has been a factor for the Islanders, who have performed better at UBS Arena compared to their away games, where they have struggled significantly. The Blackhawks, on the other hand, have had difficulties on the road, holding a 1-4 record in away games this season.
In terms of injuries, the Islanders were missing Alexander Romanov due to a knee injury and Mathew Barzal, who is on injured reserve with a knee issue. The Blackhawks faced a more significant challenge, with Andrew Mangiapane and Connor Bedard both on injured reserve, and Teuvo Teravainen out with an undisclosed injury. The absence of these key players likely impacted the Blackhawks' performance.
The betting lines provided by DraftKings indicated a clear favorite in the Islanders, priced at -185 on the money line, with a spread of -1.5 and a total set at 5.5. The odds for the over were at -125, while the under was at 105. This context highlighted the expectations surrounding the matchup, favoring the Islanders given their home advantage and recent performance.
The conditions at UBS Arena were suitable for hockey, contributing to an engaging atmosphere for fans. Viewers were able to see the Islanders capitalize on their scoring opportunities, particularly with Horvat's standout performance, which included two goals and an assist. The Blackhawks, despite their struggles, showcased moments of resilience, especially with Nazar's goal, but ultimately could not keep pace with the Islanders' offensive output.
Overall, the game illustrated the contrasting trajectories of both teams early in the season, with the Islanders looking to build momentum while the Blackhawks continue to search for consistency.
What we said beforehand
The New York Islanders will face off against the Chicago Blackhawks at UBS Arena on October 8, 2026, in a matchup that marks the start of their series. Both teams come into this game with similar records, with the Islanders at 1-2-0 and the Blackhawks at 1-3-0. This game is particularly interesting as both teams are looking to improve their standings early in the season.
In their last five games, the Islanders have struggled, recording just one win against the New Jersey Devils, where they dominated with a score of 6-0. However, they have also faced tough losses, including a 6-1 defeat to the New York Rangers and a 5-2 loss to the same team shortly before this matchup. Overall, the Islanders have averaged 2.2 goals scored and 2.6 goals allowed in their last five games.
On the other hand, the Blackhawks have shown some resilience, winning their most recent game against the St. Louis Blues 4-2. However, they have also faced significant challenges, losing to teams like the Vegas Golden Knights and the Utah Mammoth. In their last five games, the Blackhawks have averaged 2.8 goals scored and 3.8 goals allowed.
When it comes to home and away performances, the Islanders have a home record of 2-4, while the Blackhawks are 1-4 on the road. This suggests that the Islanders may have a slight advantage playing at home, despite their recent struggles.
Historically, the teams are evenly matched, with a head-to-head record of 1-1 in their last two meetings this season. The most recent encounter was a close contest, where the Islanders lost 4-3 at home on March 24, 2026, but they previously defeated the Blackhawks 3-2 away on December 31, 2025.
In terms of injuries, both teams are dealing with significant player absences. The Islanders will be without Alexander Romanov due to a knee injury and Mathew Barzal, who is on injured reserve with a knee issue. The Blackhawks are missing Andrew Mangiapane and Teuvo Teravainen, while Connor Bedard is also on injured reserve with a shoulder injury. These injuries could impact the teams' performance and strategies in this matchup.
The betting odds from DraftKings indicate that the Islanders are favored at -185 with a spread of -1.5, while the total for the game is set at 5.5, with over odds at -130 and under odds at 110. This reflects the market's expectations for the game, suggesting a competitive matchup.
As for the conditions, both teams will need to adapt to the atmosphere at UBS Arena, which can be a challenging environment for visiting teams. With the stakes high for both sides, viewers should watch for how the teams respond to their recent performances and the impact of the injuries on their lineups. The Islanders will look to their leaders, such as Bo Horvat, who has scored 2 goals this season, and Brayden Schenn, who leads the team with 4 points. For the Blackhawks, Anton Frondell is their standout player, also with 4 points, and his performance will be crucial in this matchup.
Overall, this game presents an intriguing opportunity for both teams to gain momentum early in the season, making it a fixture worth watching.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | NYI -185 | 5.5 o -125 / u +105 | Chicago Blackhawks +154 · New York Islanders -185 |
Injury report
- Alexander RomanovOutKneeNew York Islanders
- Mathew BarzalInjured ReserveKneeNew York Islanders
- Andrew MangiapaneInjured ReserveLower BodyChicago Blackhawks
- Teuvo TeravainenOutUndisclosedChicago Blackhawks
- Connor BedardInjured ReserveShoulderChicago Blackhawks
Leaders
- GoalsBo Horvat2New York Islanders
- AssistsLogan Stanley2New York Islanders
- PointsBo Horvat2New York Islanders
- GoalsFrank Nazar1Chicago Blackhawks
- AssistsSam Rinzel1Chicago Blackhawks
- PointsFrank Nazar1Chicago Blackhawks
Recent form
New York Islanders
Last 10: 2-8Streak L12.3 scored · 3.1 allowed per game2-4 at home
- L2-5at New York RangersOct 6
- W6-0vs New Jersey DevilsOct 3
- L1-2at Toronto Maple LeafsSep 30
- L1-2vs Carolina HurricanesApr 14
- L1-4vs Montreal CanadiensApr 12
- L0-3vs Ottawa SenatorsApr 11
- W5-3vs Toronto Maple LeafsApr 9
- L3-4at Carolina HurricanesApr 4
- L1-4vs Philadelphia FlyersApr 3
- L3-4at Buffalo SabresMar 31
Chicago Blackhawks
Last 10: 3-7Streak W12.6 scored · 4.1 allowed per game1-4 away
- W4-2vs St. Louis BluesOct 7
- L3-4at Buffalo SabresOct 3
- L0-6at Utah MammothOct 2
- L2-5at Vegas Golden KnightsSep 30
- W5-2vs San Jose SharksApr 16
- L1-5vs Buffalo SabresApr 14
- L3-5vs St. Louis BluesApr 11
- L2-7vs Carolina HurricanesApr 10
- L2-3at San Jose SharksApr 7
- W4-2at Seattle KrakenApr 5
Standings
| Team | Ot losses | Lost | Points | Won |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winnipeg | 1 | 0 | 7 | 3 |
| Utah | 0 | 2 | 6 | 3 |
| Minnesota | 1 | 1 | 5 | 2 |
| Nashville | 1 | 1 | 5 | 2 |
| Colorado | 0 | 1 | 4 | 2 |
| Dallas | 0 | 2 | 4 | 2 |
| St. Louis | 0 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| Chicago | 0 | 4 | 2 | 1 |
| NY Rangers | 0 | 1 | 8 | 4 |
| Carolina | 1 | 1 | 7 | 3 |
| Washington | 0 | 1 | 4 | 2 |
| NY Islanders | 0 | 2 | 4 | 2 |
| Pittsburgh | 0 | 2 | 4 | 2 |
| Columbus | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| New Jersey | 0 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| Philadelphia | 2 | 3 | 2 | 0 |
Box score
| Stat | Chicago Blackhawks | New York Islanders |
|---|---|---|
| Blocked shots | 10 | 17 |
| Hits | 15 | 25 |
| Takeaways | 3 | 5 |
| Shots total | 23 | 19 |
| Power play goals | 0 | 1 |
| Power play opportunities | 3 | 3 |
| Power play pct | 0.0 | 33.3 |
| Short handed goals | 0 | 0 |
| Shootout goals | 0 | 0 |
| Faceoffs won | 20 | 29 |
| Faceoff percent | 40.8 | 59.2 |
| Giveaways | 19 | 19 |
| Penalties | 5 | 5 |
| Penalty minutes | 21 | 18 |
How the scoring went
- 1st0-1Bo Horvat Goal (3) Snap Shot, assists: Matthew Schaefer (3)
- 2nd0-2Emil Heineman Goal (2) Snap Shot, assists: Matias Maccelli (2), Adam Pelech (2)
- 2nd0-3Anthony Duclair Goal (1) Snap Shot, assists: Logan Stanley (3), Jean-Gabriel Pageau (2)
- 3rd1-3Frank Nazar Goal (2) Slap Shot, assists: Patrick Kane (1), Sam Rinzel (1)
- 3rd1-4Bo Horvat Goal (4) Snap Shot, assists: Logan Stanley (4)
Venue
- UBS ArenaElmont, NY
- Attendance13946
- OfficialsFrederick L'Ecuyer, Garrett Rank, Julien Fournier, Kilian McNamara
Elsewhere
- Bo Horvat scores twice as Islanders beat Blackhawks 4-1
- Nashville Predators vs. Montreal Canadiens: Game Highlights
- Ryan O'Reilly scores go-ahead goal as Predators rally for 5-2 win over Canadiens
- Philadelphia Flyers vs. Ottawa Senators: Game Highlights
- Utah Mammoth vs. Boston Bruins: Game Highlights
- Yakemchuk breaks late tie in the Senators' 2-1 victory over the Flyers
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