NEW YORK _ The Islanders could not complete a comeback against one of the worst teams in the NHL, two days after narrowly losing to one of the league's best teams.
The Blackhawks, eliminated from playoff contention on Tuesday, pushed the Islanders to the brink of that same elimination with a 3-1 win on Saturday night at Barclays Center.
The Islanders (31-34-10) fell to 1-3-0 on this five-game homestand after their three-goal, third period was not enough in Thursday's 7-6 loss to the Eastern Conference-leading Lightning.
Anton Forsberg, 25, made 31 saves for the Blackhawks (31-36-9) but John Tavares' backhander at the crease at 17:18 of the third period denied Forsberg his first career shutout and cut the Islanders' deficit to 2-1. Brent Seabrook's empty-net goal at 18:46 clinched it for the Blackhawks.
Jaroslav Halak stopped 22 shots for the Islanders.
The Blackhawks took a 2-0 lead through two periods as the Islanders could not sustain their early first-period momentum, fueled by a strong forecheck.
Patrick Kane's power-play goal, a centering feed from the right circle that deflected in off defenseman Adam Pelech's stick, made it 1-0 at 2:36 of the second period. Brandon Saad followed by poking the puck in at the right post after Halak lost the puck coming off the end boards and defenseman Nick Leddy inexplicably stopped skating as he defended Saad.
