Lots of last times

Isles scored 7 : November 16, 2005 in Atlanta (W 7-3). They haven't scored more than seven since scoring 9 against Chicago in 2003.

Isles scored 4 in a period: December 19, 2005 at Toronto (4-4 first period -- including Islander goals for Eric Godard and Rob Collins) Isles also allowed four goals in second period and lost 9-6, beginning 2-8 swoon that cost Stirling his job.

An Islander scored 4: March 25, 2003 in Chicago (Yashin) An Islander scored at least 4 against the Rangers -- Bryan Trottier 12/23/78 [5 goals] An Islander scored 4 at MSG -- never An Islander recorded a hat trick against the Rangers -- Alexei Yashin 1/30/02 at MSG Viktor Kozlov recorded a hat trick -- 1/6/00 for Florida against Anaheim --only previous career hat trick

The Islanders allowed a hat trick...and won. October 20, 2005 vs NY Rangers (Jagr) Isles won 5-4.

and why not... A Ranger recorded a hat trick against the Isles: Martin Straka 3/29/06 on Long Island A Ranger recorded a hat trick against the Isles at MSG: Adam Graves February 2, 1994

The Isles earned 15 points in a stretch of 10 road games --Nov 8 to Dec 8, 2005 [also 7-2-1] (The Isles haven't earned more than 15 points in a ten road game stretch since 1990.)

The Isles scored 7 at MSG -- tied club record: 1-Feb-78 @ New York 7 6 W [Isles hold on after Chico gets third man in for going after Espo in fight with Persson with 4 minutes to play; Smitty allows last two but Isles hand Rangers their sixth straight loss] 22-Nov-81 @ New York 7 2 W [Isles complete sweep of home and home] 29-Mar-82 @ New York 7 3 W [Night Michael Jordan beat Georgetown -- I watched the end with Craig Patrick] 3-Dec-06 @ New York 7 4 W [Viktor Kozlov ... and 31 blocked shots.]

Islanders held sole possession of first place this late in the season -- the night of December 14, 2001

Atlantic Division W-L-T-OL Pts NY Islanders 16-8-5-2 39 NY Rangers 17-13-2-2 38 Philadelphia 14-9-5-1 34 Pittsburgh 13-13-4-2 32 New Jersey 13-12-3-2 31

[the Rangers won the next night and the Isles lost -- the Isles would get even again on December 21, 2001 --the last time that they had at least a share of first place this late in the season.]

The Isles will hold first place for at least 72 hours-- Isles/Rangers/Devils are all idle on Monday night; the Isles can extend their lead on Tuesday vs Ottawa -- the Devils next play on Wednesday (Montreal) and the Rangers play Pittsburgh on Thursday.