Jones’ first goal of season lifts Blackhawks to overtime victory

The injuries that have ravaged the Blackhawks over the last few weeks have given plenty of lesser-known players golden opportunities to prove themselves.

Boris Katchouk is one of a few taking full advantage, and he was at the top of his game again during the Hawks' 4-3 overtime victory over the New York Islanders at United Center on Friday.

Katchouk scored his fifth goal of the season at 18:07 of the second period to tie the game at 1-1, Joey Anderson made it 2-1 just 67 seconds later, and Jason Dickinson scored his 15th goal to make it 3-1 at 5:10 of the third period.

The Islanders stormed back to tie it 3-3 with a pair of third-period goals, but Seth Jones rifled home the game-winner 22 seconds into OT. It was Jones' first goal of the season.

“One actually went in,” said a smiling Jones, whose goal drought was at 33 games and dated back to April 8. “It's a great feeling. The team played unbelievable tonight.”

This was just the second time in 11 games the Hawks (13-30-2) scored 3 or more goals.

Katchouk came to the Hawks as part of the Brandon Hagel trade on March 18, 2022. The hard-nosed forward managed a modest 16 points (5G, 11A) in 58 games last season then started this campaign with just 1 assist in the first eight contests.

He was scratched in 10 of the next 19 games, placed on waivers and assigned to Rockford after no team put in a claim.

It wouldn't have been a surprise if we had never heard from Katchouk again, but he's been given a second chance because of a spate of injuries.

Katchouk hasn't exactly erupted, but he's bringing energy and seems to have at least one solid scoring opportunity every night.

Friday's came late in the second period on a breakaway. Katchouk motored in and had Isles goaltender Ilya Sorokin dead to rights after perfectly executing a forehand/backhand move. Unfortunately for Katchouk, he failed to control the puck at the last instant.

No matter. He simply regained control, circled to the top of the zone and ripped a wrist shot that found its mark.

Katchouk also assisted on Jones' game-winner and added 4 blocks in almost 16 minutes of ice time. He has 3 goals and 2 assists — plus the shootout winner against the Sharks on Monday — in nine games since being recalled from Rockford.

“He's a good example of the desperation that we have to play with as a team,” Richardson said. “It's noticeable for sure.

“I thought he was gonna score on that breakaway, but he didn't just give up and shake (his) head and slam (his) stick. He got the rebound, corralled it, looked a few people off and got in really good scoring position. That's a good sign of maturity of his game.

“And he's playing more physical — and that's what we asked him to do when he was sent down. … He wasn't down there all that long, but he made the most of it and he brought the right attitude back.”

In addition to Katchouk, Dickinson (2 assists), Jones (assist) and Anderson (assist) all had multi-point nights. Jones also had 4 blocks and 3 takeaways.

Petr Mrazek made 27 saves to improve to 12-16-1.

The Islanders (19-15-11) have lost four straight and are 2-6-2 in their last 10 games.