"The Skinny"
By Eric Hornick
Game 46
Carolina 4, Isles 3 (SO)
The Islanders are headed back to the playoffs for the first time since 2007! John Tavares scored with 1:01 to force overtime, and although the Islanders would eventually lose the shootout to Carolina before a crowd of 16,601 at PNC Center, the Isles clinched a playoff spot a few minutes later when Washington beat Winnipeg. Tavares' goal allowed the Islanders to extend their point streak to 11 straight games (8-0-3); matching their longest point streak since the 1981-82 Islanders won 15 straight games. The Islanders are also 11-1-3 in their last 15 and, coupled with the Rangers' loss to Florida, remain sixth in the East, two points ahead of both Ottawa and the Rangers.
The Scoring:
1st Period
03:57 CAR A. Semin (13) Wrist - ASST: E. Staal (32) AND J. McBain (6) 1 - 0 CAR
06:04 NYI B. Boyes (10) Deflected - ASST: M. Streit (21) AND M. Moulson (28) 1 - 1 TIE
16:20 CAR J. Staal (10) Tip-In - ASST: J. Harrison (7) AND J. Tlusty (14) 2 - 1 CAR
2nd Period
07:34 NYI J. Bailey (11) Wrist - ASST: K. Okposo (19) AND F. Nielsen (23) 2 - 2 TIE
17:45 CAR P. Dwyer (8) Snap - ASST: J. Staal (20) AND T. Ruutu (5) 3 - 2 CAR
3rd Period
18:59 NYI J. Tavares (27) Tip-In - ASST: M. Moulson (29) AND K. Okposo (20) 3 - 3 TIE
OT Period
NONE
The Shootout:
Frans Nielsen (NG), Riley Nash (G), Brad Boyes (NG), Jeff Skinner (G)
The Skinny:
The Isles are 11-1-3 in the last 15 and remain eight games over NHL-.500 for the first time since the end of the 2006-07 season (40-30-12)… The Isles have outscored their opponents 16-6 in the third period over the last 15 games… The Isles (excluding shootouts) have now scored 133 goals and allowed 133… Frans Nielsen's assist gives him 196 career points, passing Butch Goring for 39th place in Isles history… Jiri Tlusty extended his point streak to six games (4-4-8); Tlusty had six points in the three games against the Isles this season…Both Kyle Okposo and Frans Nielsen extended point streaks to four games… John Tavares now has 27 goals, which is third in the NHL. Only Alex Ovechkin (31) and Steven Stamkos (28) have more. Twelve of Tavares' goals have come in third period and eight of his goals have tied the game.
First Time in a Long Time
The Isles have 25 points (11-1-3) in the last 15 games for the first time since they had 28 points when they won 14 of 15 games in the 1989-90 season.
Road Warriors
The Isles have the second-best road record in the East, behind only Pittsburgh. They have guaranteed themselves a .500+ record on the road for the first time since 2006-07, and have their second best record ever thru 22 road games:
Most points in first 22 road games (all time):
· 32 in 1976-77 (14-4-4)
· 31 in 2012-13 (14-5-3)
· 29 in 1980-81 (13-6-3)
· 27 in 1978-79 (11-6-5)
· 26 in 1983-84 (12-8-2)
The club record through 24 road games, which is all the Isles will play this regular season, is 34 points in 1976-77. The Isles need three points in the final two games to match that.
The Standings
· 1 Pittsburgh (Atlantic Champion) 46 games 35-11-0 70 points (32 ROW) Next game: Thursday at New Jersey
· 2 Boston (Northeast Leader) 45 games 27-13-5 59 points (23 ROW) Next game: Thursday vs. Tampa Bay
· 3 Washington (Southeast Champion) 46 games 26-18-2 54 points (22 ROW) Next game: Thursday vs. Ottawa
· 4 Montreal 46 games 27-14-5 59 points (24 ROW) Next game: Thursday at Winnipeg
· 5.Toronto 45 games 25-15-5 55 points (24 ROW) Next game: Wednesday at Tampa Bay
· 6 NY Islanders 46 games 24-16-6 54 points (20 ROW) Next game: Thursday at Philadelphia
· 7 Ottawa 45 games 23-16-6 52 points (19 ROW) Next game: Thursday at Washington
· 8 NY Rangers 46 games 24-18-4 52 points (20 ROW) Next game: Tuesday at Florida
· 9 Winnipeg 47 games 24-20-3 51 points (22 ROW) Final game: Thursday vs. Montreal
Pittsburgh, Boston, Washington, Montreal, Toronto and the Islanders have clinched playoff berths.
The Shots:
Isles 11-14-11-3=39
Hurricanes 10-10-7-5=32
Home and Road
The Islanders are 24-16-6 overall, 10-11-3 at home and 14-5-3 on the road. Their 54 points in 46 games matches their highest total since they had 62 points in 46 games in 1983-84.
The Isles have earned 31 of a possible 44 road points (.705). Their all-time road point percentage is .663, set in 1976-77 and matched in 1980-81. The Isles need to earn 1 point in their final two road games to set a new franchise record for point percentage on the road.
The Isles ended their home season with at least a 6-game point streak (5-0-1) for the first time since going unbeaten in the final 23 home games of the 1981-82 season.
The Isles have points in 11 straight (8-0-3) and are 11-1-3 in their last 15 games. It's their longest point streak since they won 15 straight games in 1981-82.
The Isles have a point in six straight road games for the first time since going 5-0-1 from October 11- November 18, 2006, matching their longest point streak on the road in the Post-Cup era. The last time the Isles had a longer point streak on the road was from January 13-February 3, 1983(5-0-2).
The Hurricanes are 19-24-3 overall, 9-14-0 at home and 10-10-3 on the road.
In the Nets
Evgeni Nabokov made 29 saves. He is 23-11-5 on the season. Nabokov is now 2nd in the league in victories (1 behind San Jose's Antti Niemi).
Dan Ellis made 36 saves for Carolina; he is 6-8-1 on the season.
Power Plays
The Islanders were 0-2 while the Hurricanes were 0-0. The Islanders did not take a penalty in the game; it's the second time this season (2/28 vs Toronto) that the Isles were penalty-free.
The Isles are 15-3-1 when they score at least one power play goal and 9-13-5 when they do not.
In (Almost) Every Game
The Isles have been tied or ahead at some point in the third period in 40 of 46 games this season (24-10-6).
Second to One
Jack Capuano is now 2nd on the all-time Islander list in both games coached (193) and wins (84).
Most wins by Islander coaches:
1. Al Arbour 740
2. Jack Capuano 84
3. Terry Simpson 81
4. Peter Laviolette 77
5. Ted Nolan 74
Most games coached (Islanders):
1. Al Arbour 1,500
2. Jack Capuano 193
3. Mike Milbury 191
4. Terry Simpson 187
5. Scott Gordon 181
They Said It
Frans Nielsen: "I've never felt better to lose a game. Garth Snow has been patient with us, even missing the playoffs. He believed we had the core in here to take us to the postseason. He went out and found some good pieces this summer, like (Lubomir) Visnovsky and those kind of guys to build onto it, so we've got it now. It's fun."
John Tavares, in 2009, the night he was drafted: "There's a great tradition there. I'm very thankful to be going there and I appreciate the opportunity to be a part of Long Island. It's going to be a great future for all of us." A future that now includes the playoffs.
They Tweeted It
@espnSteveLevy congrats to the islanders and their long suffering fans...enjoy the stanley cup playoffs from the good seats...soft spot in my heart for LI
@mattymarts17 Started from the bottom, now we're here #Isles #Playoffs
The Coach
"The guys battled hard all year. We didn't start off great this season. They showed a lot of will and sacrifice and they deserve it. Most importantly, our fans back home, they stuck with us. They haven't seen playoff hockey in a while. They're very passionate, so that's great."
As Tavares Goes…
The Isles are 1-0-0 when Tavares has four points, 2-0-1 when he has three points, 7-2-0 when he has two points, 10-4-1 when he has one point, and 4-10-4 when Tavares is pointless.
What a Pair!
John Tavares and Matt Moulson have combined for 42 goals this season. Moulson has assisted on 20 Tavares goals this season after assisting on 12 of his 31 goals last season. Tavares has earned an assist on 10 Moulson goals this season. In five of the last six games that Moulson has scored a goal, Tavares has scored also.
Head of the Class
John Tavares has 248 career points; he is 59 points ahead of Matt Duchene for most among 2009 draft picks. No other player in that draft is anywhere close. Tavares also has more goals and more assists than any other player in that draft.
118 NHL Goals
Moulson has 118 career goals (112 as an Islander). While 262 players were selected before the Penguins chose Moulson in the 2003 entry draft, only 16 have more goals.
Leading Ice Men
Travis Hamonic played 25:33 to lead the Isles. Justin Faulk led Carolina with 23:15.
In the Circle
The Islanders won 35 of 54 draws. Frans Nielsen won 9 of 10 to lead the Isles. John Tavares won 15 of 24; he has won 88 of 140 over the last eight games.
Heavy Hitters
The Islanders were out-hit 34-22. Matt Martin had five hits; he has an NHL-leading 223 hits. There were no fights, leaving the season total at 17 fighting majors.
Giving Up the Body
The Isles were credited with 14 blocked shots. Brian Strait led the Islanders with five blocks.
All–time Winners
The Islanders remain 10 games over all-time NHL .500 (1371-1361-438 in 3,170 games). The Isles are assured of finishing the season above all-time NHL .500, as they have been at the end of every season since 1977-78. It's the first time since March 22, 2011 that the Isles are 10 games over all-time NHL .500.
April Wins Bring May Playoff Games
The Isles were 4-2-1 in January and 4-9-1 in February, and 8-5-1 in March. They are 8-0-3 in April.
Ironmen
John Tavares is the reigning Islanders' ironman. Tavares has now played in 205 consecutive games.
Three other Islanders have streaks of at least 100 games. Frans Nielsen and Mark Streit have each played in 128 consecutive games while Kyle Okposo has played in 111 consecutive games.
Four other Islanders have played every game this season: Travis Hamonic (68 consecutive games), Matt Martin (59), Andrew Mac Donald & Brad Boyes (46).
Longest Consecutive Game Streaks, Post Cup Era
· Matt Moulson 10/3/2009- 4/4/2013 284
· Richard Park 10/5/2006 – 2/18/2009 221
· Bryan McCabe 10/7/1995-2/4/1998 220
· Bryan Trottier 3/7/1981- 1/12/1984 219
· Mariusz Czerkawski 12/23/1999 – 4/14/2002 215
· John Tavares 10/16/10 – CURRENT 205
Century Club
Mark Streit now has the sixth longest consecutive game streak of any defenseman in Islander history:
1. Denis Potvin 11/29/1975-1/17/1979 262
2. Bryan McCabe 10/7/1995-2/4/1998 220
3. Gerry Hart 3/1/1975-11/22/1977 198
4. Janne Niinimaa 3/13/2004-1/7/2006 136
5. Ken Morrow 3/1/1980-12/29/1981 134
6. Mark Streit 10/8/2011-CURRENT 128
7. Travis Hamonic 11/24/2010 – 2/4/2012 113
8. Jean Potvin 10/23/1975-1/2/1977 110
9. Kenny Jonsson 12/26/1996-2/4/1998 104
Hamonic, McCabe and Morrow's streaks came at the start of their NHL careers. Both Niinimaa's streak and McCabe's streak encompassed their entire Islander careers.
Missing Men
Matt Carkner, Eric Boulton, Radek Martinek, Anders Lee, Marty Reasoner, Joe Finley and David Ullstrom were scratched.
Scoring
The Isles have scored 96 goals in their 24 wins (4.00 per game) and 37 goals in their other 22 games (0-16-6; 1.68 per game). In their 16 regulation losses, the Isles have scored 24 goals (1.50 per game).
Career Wins, Active Goalies
Career Wins
18. Gump Worsley 335
20. Nikolai Khabibulin 331
Career Shutouts, Active Goalies
Career Shutouts
18 Clint Benedict 57
19 Evgeni Nabokov 55
20 Bernie Parent 54
20 Ed Giacomin 54
Career Goals as an Islander
| 21 | Ray Ferraro | 116 | |
| 22 | Matt Moulson | 112 | |
| 23 | John Tavares | 111 | |
| 24 | Benoit Hogue | 105 | |
| 24 | Ed Westfall | 105 | |
| | | | |
| Career Assists as an Islander | |||
| 26 | Steve Thomas | 140 | |
| 27 | Mark Streit | 139 | |
| 28 | Greg Gilbert | 138 | |
| 29 | John Tavares | 137 | |
| 30 | Frans Nielsen | 136 | |
| 31 | Jason Blake | 131 | |
Career Games as an Islander (skaters)
| 25 | Gerry Hart | 476 |
| 26 | Mariusz Czerkawski | 470 |
| 27 | Radek Martinek | 466 |
| 28 | Trent Hunter | 459 |
| 39 | Randy Wood | 381 |
| 40 | Frans Nielsen | 365 |
| 41 | Dave Scatchard | 347 |
| 50 | Eric Cairns | 327 |
| 50 | Josh Bailey | 327 |
| 52 | Alan Kerr | 326 |
| 53 | Brad Dalgarno | 321 |
| 54 | Kyle Okposo | 317 |
| 55 | Ray Ferraro | 316 |
| 55 | Steve Webb | 316 |
| 55 | Richard Park | 316 |
| 58 | Gerald Diduck | 314 |
| 59 | Mikko Makela | 307 |
| 60 | Gordon Lane | 304 |
| 61 | Arron Asham | 300 |
| 61 | Roman Hamrlik | 300 |
| 63 | Matt Moulson | 291 |
| 64 | John Tavares | 289 |
| 65 | Gordon Dineen | 287 |
| 66 | Mark Streit | 284 |
| 67 | Jeffrey Norton | 282 |
| | | |
Career Points as an Islander
| 23 | David Volek | 249 |
| 24 | John Tavares | 248 |
| 25 | Ray Ferraro | 238 |
| 35 | Matt Moulson | 214 |
| 36 | Anders Kallur | 211 |
| 37 | Marty McInnis | 198 |
| 38 | Wayne Merrick | 197 |
| 39 | Frans Nielsen | 196 |
| 40 | Robert Goring | 195 |
| 41 | Jeffrey Norton | 188 |
| 42 | Kyle Okposo | 185 |
| 43 | Lorne Henning | 184 |
| 44 | Mark Streit | 179 |
| 45 | Randy Wood | 172 |
Season Series Stats
The Hurricanes win the season series three games to none (and six points to one). Carolina is the only Eastern Conference team that the Islanders did not beat this season.
Happy Anniversary
31 years ago tonight (4-23-82): The Islanders eliminated the Rangers in six games, winning the final game of the series at Madison Square Garden by a 5-3 score. Butch Goring and Bob Bourne each scored twice for the Isles, but it was Dave Langevin's goal with 6:08 to play that proved to be decisive.
Also on this date: (2002) After scoring only one goal in the first two games of the series, the Isles pound the Leafs 6-1 in game 3. Mark Parrish scored twice for the Isles in a penalty-filled game.
All-time, the Isles are 1-0-0 in regular season play and 2-3 in the Stanley Cup Playoffs on this date.
On The Farm
Bridgeport finished their season with a 32-32-7-5 record.
Up Next
THURSDAY, APRIL 25th ISLANDERS AT PHILADELPHIA (7:00PM)
[MSG+2 (pre-game show at 6:30), WRHU (88.7FM]
[MSG+2 (pre-game show at 6:30), WRHU (88.7FM]
The Isles will be playing for playoff position as they visit the Flyers in Philly's home finale.
After dropping the first game of the season series 7-0 to Philadelphia the Isles have responded with consecutive wins and are 3-1-0 in their last four trips to Philly.
Eric Hornick has been the statistician on Islander home game telecasts since 1982. Information contained in "The Skinny" has been gathered from various sources. Follow Eric @ehornick on Twitter.
Forever1940 is the nom de plume of Eric Hornick, statistician on Islander home telecasts since January 21, 1982. Visit my blog: NYISkinny.com and follow me on Twitter @ehornick
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