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.
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.
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.
"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)
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