"The Skinny"
By Eric Hornick
Game 41
Isles 2, Boston 1
Josh Bailey scored twice, and narrowly missed becoming the first Islander to ever record a hat trick in Boston, and Evgeni Nabokov made 30 saves as the Islanders extended their recent hot streak to 8-1-1 by defeating the Boston Bruins 2-1 before the 148th consecutive sellout of 17,565 at the TD Bank Garden. The Islanders remain in 7th place in the East, tied in points with sixth place Ottawa and two points ahead of the eighth place Rangers and 9th place Jets.
The Scoring:
1st Period
19:39 NYI J. Bailey (8) Slap - ASST: M. Streit (17) AND K. Okposo (14) 1 - 0 NYI
2nd Period
03:41 BOS PPG - T. Seguin (14) Slap - ASST: G. Campbell (8) AND J. Jagr (17) 1 - 1 TIE
13:12 NYI J. Bailey (9) Wrist - ASST: F. Nielsen (20) AND M. Streit (18) 2 - 1 NYI
3rd Period
NONE
The Skinny:
The Isles are 8-1-1 in the last 10 and are 5 games over NHL-.500 for the first time since February 21, 2008…The Isles are 14-2-1 when they lead after two periods while the Bruins are 3-5-2 when they trail after 2… The Isles have outscored their opponents 13-4 in the third period over the last ten games… Josh Bailey matches his career high with his fifth two-goal game; Bailey, who scored the opening goal for a fourth time this season, is 4-3-7 in the last six games… Bailey's linemates, Kyle Okposo (1-5-6 in last 10) and Frans Nielsen (1-10-11 in last 14) each added an assist while Islander captain Mark Streit (0-7-7 in the last eight) added two. Streit now has 136 assists as an Islander, tying John Tavares for the club lead among current players…The Isles won for only the 2nd season time this season when John Tavares was pointless (the other was on March 3rd vs. Ottawa in a game that Tavares won for the Isles in a shootout). The last time the Isles won a game in regulation without Tavares recording a point was on March 29, 2012 vs. Pittsburgh…The Isles have now beaten every Eastern Conference team except Carolina, who they will face again on April 23rd.
First Time in a Long Time
The Isles have 17 points (8-1-1) in the last 10 games for the first time since they had 18 points in a ten-game stretch early in the 2001-02 season.
First Time in a Long Time II
The Isles have allowed two goals or fewer in seven straight games. It's the first time since an 8-game stretch from 1/17/2004 to 1/31/2004 that the Isles have allowed two or fewer in seven straight games.
First Time in a Long Time III
Frans Nielsen now has 20 assists in five consecutive seasons. He is the first Islander since Kenny Jonsson (1998-2004) to have at least five seasons of at least 20 assists and the first since Patrick Flatley (1989-90 to 1994-95) to have at least five consecutive 20 assist seasons.
First Time in a Ridiculously Long Time
The Isles are 12-5-2 on the road; they were last seven games over .500 on the road when the still-Stanley Cup Champion Islanders finished the 1983-84 season with a 22-15-3 road record.
The Standings:
· 3 Washington (SE Leader) 41 games 22-17-2 46 points (19 ROW) Next game: Saturday vs. Tampa Bay
· 5. Toronto 40 games 22-13-5 49 points (22 ROW) Next game: Saturday vs. Montreal
· 6 Ottawa 40 games 20-14-6 46 points (16 ROW) Next game: Friday at New Jersey
· 7 NY Islanders 41 games 21-16-4 46 points (18 ROW) Next game: Saturday vs. Rangers
· 8 NY Rangers 40 games 20-16-4 44 points (16 ROW) Next game: Saturday at Isles
· 9 Winnipeg 42 games 21-19-2 44 points (20 ROW) Next game: Tuesday vs. Tampa Bay
· 10 New Jersey 40 games 15-15-10 40 points (13 ROW) Next game: Friday vs. Ottawa
Isn't it Magic?
The Islanders' magic number for clinching a playoff spot is 11. Of the teams currently not in a playoff spot, New Jersey and Winnipeg can reach the highest total (56 points).
The Shots:
Isles 9-19-8=36
Bruins 16-8-7=31
It's only the second time in the last 13 games that the Isles have allowed more than 27 shots.
Home and Road
The Islanders are 21-16-4 overall, 9-11-2 at home and 12-5-2 on the road. Their 46 points in 41 games is their highest total since they also had 49 points in 41 games in 2001-02. The Isles are five games over NHL-.500 for the first time since February 21, 2008 when they were 30-25-7.
The Isles have points in six straight (5-0-1) and are 8-1-1 in their last ten games.
The Bruins are 26-10-4 overall, 14-3-2 at home and 12-7-2 on the road.
Road Warriors
The Isles have the third-best road record in the East, behind only Pittsburgh and Montreal. They have guaranteed themselves a .500+ record on the road for the first time since 2006-07.
Most points in first 19 road games (all time):
· 29 in 1976-77 (13-3-3)
· 27 in 1980-81 (12-4-3)
· 26 in 2012-13 (12-5-2)
· 24 in 1983-84 (11-6-2)
· 24 in 1978-79 (10-5-4)
· 22 in 2001-02 (10-7-2)
In the Nets
Evgeni Nabokov made 30 saves and improves to 20-11-4 on the season and lowers his goals against average to 2.54. It was Nabokov's 332nd career win, passing Nikolai Khabibulin for 19th place in NHL history (and third, behind Martin Brodeur and Roberto Luongo among active goalies).
With 20 wins, Nabokov is now tied with Antti Niemi, Marc-Andre Fleury and Niklas Backstrom for the NHL lead. His 20 wins exceed last season's total (19-18-3).
Tuukka Rask made 34 saves for the Bruins but falls to 17-7-4.
Power Plays
The Islanders were 0-1 while the Bruins were 1-1.
The Isles have had either one or two power plays in six straight games (2-8), and have had only one power play in each of their last three games.
The Bruins' goal was the first allowed by the Isles in the last seven games.
The Isles are 13-3-1 when they score at least one power play goal and 7-14-3 when they do not.
In (Almost) Every Game
The Isles have been tied or ahead at some point in the third period in 35 of 41 games this season (21-10-4).
Coach Cappy
Jack Capuano recorded his 81st win, tying Terry Simpson for second place. He also now has the third-highest total in games coached for the Islanders.
Most wins by Islander coaches:
1. Al Arbour 740
2. Jack Capuano 81
3. Terry Simpson 81
4. Peter Laviolette 77
5. Ted Nolan 74
Most games coached (Islanders):
1. Al Arbour 1,500
2. Mike Milbury 191
3. Jack Capuano 188
4. Terry Simpson 187
5. Scott Gordon 181
They Said It
Travis Hamonic: "I'd play on one leg if I had to. Take a lot more than that to keep me out."
They Tweeted It
@MattyMarts17 "Believe. #isles"
The Coach
"They're believing in one another, they're believing in the system, and they're playing hard. At this time of year, I think teams that work extremely hard and win their battles -- elevate their battle level and win their battles -- have a good chance to win the game, and that's what we're doing."
As Tavares Goes…
The Isles are 1-0-0 when Tavares has four points, 1-0-1 when he has three points, 7-2-0 when he has two points, 10-4-0 when he has one point, and 2-10-3 when Tavares is pointless.
What a Pair!
John Tavares and Matt Moulson have combined for 37 goals this season. Moulson has assisted on 18 Tavares goals this season after assisting on 12 of his 31 goals last season. Tavares has earned an assist on 9 Moulson goals this season.
John Tavares has scored a goal in each of the last four games in which Matt Moulson has scored a goal.
Head of the Class
John Tavares has 244 career points; he is 58 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.
116 NHL Goals
Moulson has 116 career goals (110 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
Andrew MacDonald played 26:18 to lead the Isles; special mention to his defense-mate Travis Hamonic, who played 24:37, despite missing over five minutes late in the first period following an injury. Zdeno Chara led the Bruins with 23:06.
In the Circle
The Islanders won 19 of 41 draws. John Tavares won 8 of 13 for the Isles; he has won 23 of 36 over the last three games.
Heavy Hitters
The Islanders were out-hit 19-14. Matt Martin led the Isles with 5 hits; he has an NHL-leading 204 hits. There were no fights, leaving the season total at 15.
Giving Up the Body
The Isles were credited with 17 blocked shots. Travis Hamonic had five shots while Andrew MacDonald had four. MacDonald now leads the NHL with 110 blocks.
All–time Winners
The Islanders improve to 7 games over all-time NHL .500 (1368-1361-436 in 3,165 games). The Isles have been one game below .500 twice last season and four times this season. Prior to that, they had not been below NHL .500 since they were 177-178-83 prior to their victory on January 16, 1978.
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 5-0-1 in April.
Ironmen
John Tavares is the reigning Islanders' ironman. Tavares has now played in 200 consecutive games.
Three other Islanders have streaks of at least 100 games. Frans Nielsen and Mark Streit have each played in 123 consecutive games while Kyle Okposo has played in 106 consecutive games.
Four other Islanders have played every game this season: Travis Hamonic (63 consecutive games), Matt Martin (54), Andrew Mac Donald & Brad Boyes (41).
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 200
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 123
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
Anders Lee, Radek Martinek, Marty Reasoner and Eric Boulton were scratched. Joe Finley and Brian Strait are on injured reserve.
Scoring
The Isles have scored 82 goals in their 21 wins (3.91 per game) and 34 goals in their other 20 games (0-16-4; 1.70 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 | 110 | |
| 23 | John Tavares | 108 | |
| 24 | Benoit Hogue | 105 | |
| 24 | Ed Westfall | 105 | |
| | | | |
| Career Assists as an Islander | |||
| 26 | Steve Thomas | 140 | |
| 27 | Greg Gilbert | 138 | |
| 28 | John Tavares | 136 | |
| 28 | Mark Streit | 136 | |
| 30 | Frans Nielsen | 133 | |
| 31 | Jason Blake | 131 | |
Career Games as an Islander (skaters)
| 25 | Gerry Hart | 476 |
| 26 | Mariusz Czerkawski | 470 |
| 27 | Radek Martinek | 465 |
| 28 | Trent Hunter | 459 |
| 39 | Randy Wood | 381 |
| 40 | Frans Nielsen | 360 |
| 41 | Dave Scatchard | 347 |
| 50 | Eric Cairns | 327 |
| 51 | Alan Kerr | 326 |
| 52 | Josh Bailey | 322 |
| 53 | Brad Dalgarno | 321 |
| 54 | Ray Ferraro | 316 |
| 54 | Steve Webb | 316 |
| 54 | Richard Park | 316 |
| 57 | Gerald Diduck | 314 |
| 58 | Kyle Okposo | 312 |
| 59 | Mikko Makela | 307 |
| 60 | Gordon Lane | 304 |
| 61 | Arron Asham | 300 |
| 61 | Roman Hamrlik | 300 |
| 63 | Gordon Dineen | 287 |
| 64 | Matt Moulson | 286 |
| 65 | John Tavares | 284 |
| 66 | Jeffrey Norton | 282 |
| 67 | Mark Streit | 279 |
| 68 | Steve Thomas | 275 |
| | | |
Career Points as an Islander
| 23 | David Volek | 249 |
| 24 | John Tavares | 244 |
| 25 | Ray Ferraro | 238 |
| 35 | Anders Kallur | 211 |
| 36 | Matt Moulson | 209 |
| 37 | Marty McInnis | 198 |
| 38 | Wayne Merrick | 197 |
| 39 | Robert Goring | 195 |
| 40 | Frans Nielsen | 191 |
| 41 | Jeffrey Norton | 188 |
| 42 | Lorne Henning | 184 |
| 43 | Kyle Okposo | 179 |
| 44 | Mark Streit | 175 |
| 45 | Randy Wood | 172 |
Season Series Stats
The Bruins wins the season series two games to one (the Bruins earned four points to the Isles' two).
It's only the Isles 3rd win in the last twelve games against Boston; all twelve games have been decided in regulation time.
Happy Anniversary
38 years ago tonight (4-11-75): Two words: Jean-Paul Parise. At 11 seconds of overtime in the third and deciding game of the first playoff series in Islander history, Parise converted a pass from Jude Drouin for the winning goal as the Isles defeated the Rangers 4-3. Clark Gillies' first period goal and a pair of middle period tallies from Denis Potvin had built a 3-0 lead for the Isles after two periods, but the Rangers got a pair of goals from Bill Fairbairn and a game-tying goal from Steve Vickers to set the stage for Morrow's heroics.
Also on this date: Arguably the most important game in Islander history (1980). Ken Morrow scores at 6:55 of overtime to give the Islanders a come-from-behind 4-3 win over the Los Angeles Kings and a 2-1 lead in the best of five series. (The Isles would complete the series the following night with a 6-0 win enroute to their first Stanley Cup.)
All-time, the Isles are 4-2-2 in regular season play and 4-5 in the Stanley Cup Playoffs on this date.
On The Farm
Bridgeport is 30-30-6-5 on the season and finds themselves four points out of a playoff spot with five to play. Bridgeport's only game this weekend is in Syracuse on Friday.
Up Next
SATURSDAY, APRIL 13th RANGERS AT ISLANDERS (7:00PM)
[MSG+ (pre-game show at 6:30), WRHU (88.7FM]
[MSG+ (pre-game show at 6:30), WRHU (88.7FM]
The Islanders and Rangers meet for the final time in the regular season on Saturday. The Coliseum is completely sold out and this is the toughest ticket for an Islander game in many a year.
The Rangers lead the season series two games to one (and five points to three) so the Isles will need a regulation win to completely split the season series, which is the second tie-breaker (after Regulation/Overtime Wins).
The Isles will bring a four-game home winning streak into the contest; they are also 3-1-1 in their last five Coliseum tilts against the Rangers.
This will be the 22nd regular season April meeting between the teams; the Isles have dominated these late-season matchups historically, going 16-4-1 (7-2-1 at the Coliseum).
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
The higher the stakes, the better a read. It's so damn nice to read Skinny stats that reflect a season of significance. Thanks, EH. Cannot WAIT to watch them try to push that April NYR record to 17-4-1.
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