Anton Frondell battles with New York Islanders players during the Chicago Blackhawks’ 4-3 win over the New York Islanders in his NHL debut. (Photo courtesy of Bruce Bennett / Getty Images)

The Chicago Blackhawks (27-31-13) defeated the New York Islanders (40-27-5) at the UBS Arena by the score of 4-3 behind a goal and two assists by Nick Lardis. Anton Frondell generated an assist in his NHL debut and Arvid Soderblom made 44 saves in the victory. Chicago was outshot 47-24 by New York.

First period

The Islanders got on the board at the 0:49 mark of the opening period when Anders Lee tipped in Matthew Schaefer’s shot from the point as he made his way to the front of the net untouched. Bo Horvat also assisted on the early tally.

Anders Lee – New York Islanders (16) pic.twitter.com/T4sYEwEbX1

— NHL Goal Videos (@NHLGoalVideos) March 25, 2026

Chicago would then fire off three straight goals to take a 3-1 lead into the first intermission. Lardis scored his seventh of the season assisted by Frank Nazar and Tyler Bertuzzi. Lardis’ snap shot beat starting goaltender David Rittich, who would be replaced by Ilya Sorokin after the period.

Nick Lardis – Chicago Blackhawks (7) pic.twitter.com/9mOC1S0WeU

— NHL Goal Videos (@NHLGoalVideos) March 25, 2026

The Blackhawks would take the 2-1 lead after forward Ilya Mikheyev fired a shot behind Rittich, which gave former No. 3 overall draft pick Frondell his first NHL point in his first NHL game.

Nick Lardis – Chicago Blackhawks (7) pic.twitter.com/9mOC1S0WeU

— NHL Goal Videos (@NHLGoalVideos) March 25, 2026

Bertuzzi scored at the 19:31 mark to get the Blackhawks’ the aforementioned 3-1 lead. The goal, Bertuzzi’s 29th of the season, was assisted by Alex Vlasic and Lardis.

Tyler Bertuzzi – Chicago Blackhawks (29) pic.twitter.com/4DRWr0X8dq

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Second period

Chicago would score the only goal of the middle frame when Nazar fired home his 12th of the season, notching Lardis’ second assist of the game.

Frank Nazar – Chicago Blackhawks (12) pic.twitter.com/YNY5CntEWw

— NHL Goal Videos (@NHLGoalVideos) March 25, 2026

Third period

The Islanders would cut the lead to 4-2 when Simon Holmstrom beat Soderblom for this 19th goal of the season. The goal was assisted by Scott Mayfield.

Chicago would continue to weather the storm of pressure from the home team until the 16:37 mark of the period when Callum Ritchie scored to make the score 4-3. The goal, Ritchie’s 10th of the season, was assisted by Carson Soucy and Mathew Barzal.

Chicago would be outshot 23-5 in the final period but the young team would hang onto the 4-3 victory.

The Blackhawks are back in action on Thursday for a 6 p.m. CDT puck drop against the Philadelphia Flyers at the XFinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia.

Analysis

Soderblom was excellent in the victory, stopping 44 of the 47 shots faced. Chicago was also outshot 35-12 in the final two periods of action and the 26-year-old goaltender stood on his head to earn the victory.

Chicago fans were excited to see Frondell in action after selecting the 18-year-old Swedish forward third overall in the 2025 NHL Draft. Frondell played 15:43 and earned his first NHL point. The forward help that Bedard surely needs has arrived early and Blackhawk fans should be excited about this one-two punch moving forward.

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