Stat Trick

1. The Islanders clinched the season season against the Rangers,
9 points to 2, with tonight's shootout loss, as they improve to
12-2-6 in their last 20 games. It's the first time since 1982
that the Isles have been beaten only twice in a 20-game span.
The shootout loss does end the Isles' five-game MSG winning
streak.

2. Rick DiPietro established a new club record by making 56
saves, on 57 Rangers shots. [Felix Potvin and Billy Smith shared
the club record, at 55.] The club record for shots allowed
remains 60, set by the Flyers in Nov, 1972. It wasn't the most
save DiPietro has ever made in a game -- he made 77 saves in a
4ot loss to St. Lawrence in the 2000 National Playoffs. (At the
time it was the longest game in college hockey history).
DiPietro improved his season save percentage from .915 to .917
with his effort tonight, cementing his place in the top 10.

3. The Rangers equalled the 57 shots that they took against the
Islanders on Veterans Day, (11-11) 1973. The Rangers beat the
Islanders 5-2 that night. Billy Smith made 46 saves and allowed
all five goals; Gerry Desjardins made six late saves on as many
shots. Rod Gilbert became the Rangers' all-time leading goal
scorer that night as Al Arbour coached the Isles at MSG for the
first time.

By the way....

If the Isles win on Thursday, they'll equal last season's total
of 78 points.