Blackhawks halt Islanders skid with 5-0 rout
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}
CHICAGO (Reuters) - The Chicago Blackhawks roughed up New York in a 5-0 blowout on Sunday, ending a string of six straight losses to the Islanders.
Corey Crawford made 29 saves for the shutout to help Chicago (23-18-3) beat the Islanders for the first time since 2002.
Patrick Sharp opened the scoring at 4:52 in the first period and the Blackhawks got four goals in the second from Marian Hossa, Patrick Kane, Dave Bolland and Niklas Hjalmarsson.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}
Sharp netted his team-leading 25th goal of the season and his fourth in as many games for the defending Stanley Cup champion Blackhawks, who are currently sixth in a tight Western Conference.
For Crawford, it was his first shutout since 2008. He made a highlight save on a breakaway from New York's Michael Grabner in the first that set the tone for the game.
Goaltender Nathan Lawson had 40 saves for the Islanders (13-21-6), who entered the night having won eight of their last 11.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}
It was the first start for Lawson since he was pulled after allowing two goals on three shots in a loss to Edmonton on Thursday.
The Islanders, who have the second lowest point total in the Eastern Conference, completed a five-game road trip with a record of 3-2 but were not pleased with their latest effort.
"This is the National Hockey League. You have to be ready to play," said New York coach Jack Capuano.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}
"We talked about trying to take the crowd out of it, play a simple road game, eliminate our turnovers, get pucks deep, establish our forecheck -- and we did none of that."
(Reporting by Jahmal Corner in LA; Editing by Alastair Himmer)