CHICAGO — An old friend came back to haunt the Islanders as Robin Lehner made 38 saves in a 5-2 loss to the Blackhawks on Friday night.
The Islanders lost for the fourth time in five games in the opener of a three-game road trip. Ross Johnston and Casey Cizikas scored for the Islanders, and Thomas Greiss made eight saves on 11 shots before he was replaced by Semyon Varlamov in the first.
“These last five games, they haven’t been to our identity,” forward Anders Lee said. “We’ve got to figure this out quickly.”
It was the first game for the Blackhawks since defensemen Brent Seabrook and Calvin de Haan were placed on long-term injured reserve. Seabrook and de Haan each had season-ending right shoulder surgery earlier Friday.
Jonathan Toews, Alex DeBrincat and Dominik Kubalik and Matthew Highmore also scored for banged-up Chicago.
Chicago also played without forwards Andrew Shaw, Drake Caggiula and Brandon Saad and defenseman Adam Boqvist due to injuries.
“When we dump the puck in, play the right way, don’t turn the puck over as much, we’re getting good results,” Lehner said, “so I think that’s what this team needs, just understand that when we play the right way, we get goals, instead of forcing it. I think that’s coming.”
Lehner spent last season with the Islanders, setting a career high with 25 wins and six shutouts and finishing with a 2.13 goals-against average. He talked to the Islanders about a new contract, but ended up signing a $5 million, one-year deal with the Blackhawks in free agency.