Toews scores in OT to lift Blackhawks past Islanders 3-2

With the Blackhawks awarded an extra skater after a slashing penalty on the Islanders’ Nick Leddy during the 3-on-3 overtime, Kane sent the puck toward the middle of the net from the right side. Kane, the Blackhawks star being investigated for sexual assault near his home in Buffalo, had a great backhanded chance, but was thwarted by Greiss. Kane said he is expecting to deal with jeers and chants throughout the season.

Anisimov scored an impressive backhand goal with the Hawks on the penalty kill in the first period. After spending their first 42 seasons in the National Hockey League in Uniondale, the Islanders begin their first campaign in Brooklyn at the Barclays Center, home of the NBA’s Nets.

ABOUT THE ISLANDERS (2014-15: 47-28-7, 3RD IN METROPOLITAN): The team waited an unusually long time before upgrading its roster in the offseason, signing veteran right wing Steve Bernier on September 17 and defenseman Marek Zidlicky a day later.

Greiss, the only choice to start in goal with Jaroslav Halak still recovering from an upper-body injury, had a sharp game, making 32 saves.

The Chicago Blackhawks were in a tough spot in their season opener as they drew the New York Rangers as their opponent and they had to endure an exciting yet time consuming and perhaps energy draining banner ceremony that always seems to favour the road team.

“I didn’t even hear anything”, Kane said.

Anisimov put in a shorthanded goal just over halfway into the first period of the game, simultaneously grabbing the first goal of his Blackhawks career. Through a few nice passes from Johnny Boychuk and Casey Cizikas, Tavares was able to get the puck and get one by Crawford with 14:38 left in the second period.

The Blackhawks went ahead late in the second.

“It’s never fun losing, of course, but we worked hard and we got on the board”, Frans Nielsen said.

The Islanders received a rousing ovation when they skated onto the ice, gathered in a circle around the team logo on center ice and raised their sticks.

The Islanders then had a video tribute to honor Al Arbour, their former coach who died in August at the age of 82. Arbour was 740-537-223 in 19 seasons with the Isles and led them to four consecutive Stanley Cup titles from 1980-83.

Before the game, there was a small ceremony on the ice, with Islanders legends Bryan Trottier, Mike Bossy, Bobby Nystrom and Billy Smith all in attendance.