Stat Trick: Isles 3, Pittsburgh 2 (shootout)

President's Day has become a very successful home date for the Isles -- with wins each of the last three years, all by one goal, the Isles are 5-2-2 in their 9 home President's Day matchups... on to the trick.

1.  The Isles spoiled Dan Bylsma's debut with their shootout victory.  Bylsma is only 38 years old -- he was born in 1970 -- about 7 weeks before Islander captain Bill Guerin.

2. Chris Campoli and Frans Nielsen had the regulation goals for the Isles.  It was Nielsen's 3rd goal of the year and his first since November 6th. 

3. Evegeny Malkin and Ryan Whitney had the responses for Pittsburgh.  Malkin now has 25 goals and 82 points, including five goals and eight points against the Isles.

a few more...

4.  Jeff Tambellini had the shootout winner -- the 2nd shootout goal of his career.  He has only 6 goals during 118 actual NHL games.  Tambellini had two shots and five hits in the game.

5.  Joey MacDonald had 35 saves (and then stopped Malkin and Crosby in the shootout) to record his first win since New Year's Eve.  He is 2-14-2 in his last 18 decisions.

6.  Mark Streit was 'eased' back into the lineup by playing 23:41.

7.  The Penguins dominated in face-offs, winning 41 of 62, but lost to the Isles for the first time in 5 games. (Pittsburgh is 4-0-1 in those 5; the Isles are 1-3-1). 

8.  Sean Bergenheim had two assists -- his first 2 assist game since March of 2006.

9. Kyle Okposo had 4 shots, 2 hits, and three takeaways.  He also made a great defensive play on Sidney Crosby late in overtime.

10. Up next: two struggling teams collide as the Isles visit Madison Square Garden for the final time this season on Wednesday.  The Isles are actually the hotter of the two teams (1-4-1 in 6; 5-4-2 in 11) as the Rangers have won only once in 9 (1-6-2).  The Blueshirts lead the season series 3 games to 1 (6 points to 2) with the teams splitting one-goal games at MSG.

 Forever1940 is the nom de plume of Eric Hornick, statistician on Islander home telecasts since 1982.