Stat Trick: Isles 4, Leafs 3 (OT)

Not a lot of time this morning but here goes:

1. Wade Dubielewicz's second win comes in his third relief outing of the season. He is 2-0 in relief and 0-2 as a starter this season. He will likely get his first chance for a win as a starter (since Easter Epic II) tonight in Ottawa. (The Sens were the last team to beat the Isles, and Dubie, last season).

2. Before leaving injured, DiPietro earned his third assist on the season, tying former Islanders Chris Osgood and Roberto Luongo for the league lead in that department.

3. Dubie has never allowed a goal in extra time in six NHL appearances. He now has two OT wins, a tie, and three shootout wins to his resume. His other OT win was also in relief -- Garth Snow was injured in the final seconds of regulation on January 4, 2006 and Mark Parrish scored in OT Five of Dubie's nine NHL wins have come in extra time.

and a few more:

4. It's the first time since December 30-31, 2002 that the Isles have won consecutive games, both in OT (Hamrlik vs Florida and Blake vs Buffalo, prompting Howie to exclaim "Happy New Year").

5. It's also the first time since November 7-10, 1987 that the Isles have won consecutive games, both at home, both in OT (LaFontaine vs Washington, Brad Lauer vs. Detroit).

6. Comrie's goal earned Richard Park his third assist -- a career high for Park for one game

7. Comrie's goal came at 4:50 at overtime. The Isles have now won three games this sesaon in the final thirty seconds of OT. (Guerin-NJ 10/20, Sillinger-TB, 12/8)

and finally...

8. With the win, the Isles tie Toronto and Pittsburgh in the standings, and pass Florida, Atlanta and Philadelphia. Hold on folks. It's going to be a wild ride.

Forever1940 is the nom de plume of FSN statistician Eric Hornick. Eric, who has worked the Stanley Cup Finals four times, celebrated his 25th anniversary as the statistician on Islander home telecasts on January 21, 2007. Often referred to on-air as an actuary, he is one of 3,044 Fellows of the Casualty Actuarial Society and is the President of the Casualty Actuaries of Greater NY. You can find him in the "Best Seat in the House", to the left of Howie and Billy, at most Islander home games. For more on the actuarial profession, visit www.beanactuary.org