Stat Trick: Carolina 3, Isles 1

Justin Peters made 34 saves to record a victory in his National Hockey League debut, as the Hurricanes defeated the Isles 3-1, handing New York a season-worst seventh straight loss.  On to the Trick...

1. Jussi Jokinen scored the only goal of the first period, off a bad rebound allowed by Rick DiPietro.  It was the 20th goal of the season for Jokinen, extending his point streak to six straight games. It's the first time in his five year career that he's reached twenty goals.

2. The Isles tied the game midway through the second period on a shorthanded goal by Frans Nielsen.  It was the second career shorthanded goal for Nielsen, who scored shorthanded in Detroit last March.  It was also the Isles' fifth shorthanded goal, but their first since December 26th. 

3. Patrick Dwyer scored the winning goal midway late in the second period; Joni Pitkanen added an empty net for the final margin.

... a few more...

4.  Di Pietro finished with 22 saves, as he dropped to 2-5-0 on the season.  He's lost four straight starts.  Since winning six straight starts in February, 2008, DiPietro is 4-15-0 in his last 19 decisions.

5.  The Isles failed on all five power plays, including a 26 second 5-on-3.  The Isles have gone five straight games without a power play goal for the first time since last February/March.

6.  The Isles have lost seven straight for the first time since losing seven straight in regulation and an eighth in overtime last January 2nd-19th.

7.  The Isles have scored only ten goals in their last eight games (1-7-0).  It's the first time since November, 2000 that they have scored as few as ten goals in an eight game stretch; they haven't scored fewer goals in an eight game stretch since scoring only nine goals in an eight game stretch in February 1973.  The club record for fewest goals in an eight-game stretch is seven, set in the eight games prior to their historical 9-7 win in Boston in January 1973.

8. In addition to their 35 shots on goal, the Isles had 23 shots blocked by Carolina.  Eight of the blocks were by Tim Gleason.

9.  Nielsen had six shots on goal, and won 12 of 19 face-offs.  He was "even" for the game, and leads tthe team with a +12 rating. His eight goals on the season are one shy of last year's total.

10. The Hurricanes earn a split of the season, two games each, and win the series on points, six points to four, as both Islander wins were in extra time.  Carolina is 6-0-2 against the Islanders in the last two seasons.

Up next: The Islanders entertain Nashville on Tuesday.  The Preds have beaten the Isles five straight times (0-4-1) dating back to an Adrian Aucoin overtime winner in October 2002.  With the Islanders' win over Detroit last month, the Isles have beaten every other team at the Coliseum since their last win over the Predators.
 Forever1940 is the nom de plume of Eric Hornick, statistician on Islander home telecasts since 1982. Visit my blog: forever1940.blogspot.com and follow me on Twitter @ehornick