The Chicago Blackhawks defeated the Islanders 4-3 in Anton Frondell's NHL debut, marking a significant victory for the team. The win, which dealt a blow to the Islanders' playoff hopes in the process, was Frondel's first NHL point with a savvy assist in the second period. The No. 3 pick in last year's draft, who attempted five shots in 15 minutes, also impressed with his defensive play. Fellow Hawks rookie forward Nick Lardis also performed well, earning his first career multi-point game with one goal and two assists. Despite a strong third period, the Islanders had a strong push, led by rookie defenseman Matthew Schaefer. The Hawks' defensive structure has been criticized for allowing for some major leaks lately.