"The Skinny"
By Eric Hornick
Game 40
Isles 4, Philadelphia 1
Michael Grabner scored the game-winning goal late in the second period and the crowd of 13,888 at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum left chanting "We Want Playoffs" as the Islanders added two late third period goals and defeated the Philadelphia Flyers 4-1. The Isles are 7-1-1 in their last nine games and move into 7th place in the East, tied in points with sixth place Ottawa and two points ahead of the eighth place Rangers.
The Scoring:
1st Period
06:28 PHI J. Voracek (17) Backhand - ASST: C. Giroux (27) AND K. Timonen (21) 1 - 0 PHI
15:36 NYI M. Moulson (13) Snap - ASST: B. Boyes (22) AND J. Tavares (18) 1 - 1 TIE
2nd Period
17:42 NYI M. Grabner (13) Snap - ASST: C. McDonald (8) AND K. Aucoin (6) 2 - 1 NYI
3rd Period
18:23 NYI J. Tavares (24) Wrist - ASST: M. Moulson (26) AND B. Boyes (23) 3 - 1 NYI
18:51 NYI EN - C. Cizikas (6) Snap - ASST: M. Martin (6) AND C. McDonald (9) 4 - 1 NYI
The Skinny:
The Isles are 7-1-1 in the last 9, have won 4 straight at home, and are 4 games over NHL-.500 for the first time since February 28, 2008…The Isles are 13-2-1 when they lead after two periods while the Flyers are 2-13-0 when they trail after 2… The Isles have outscored their opponents 13-4 in the third period over the last nine games…There have been 16 empty-net goals in the first 40 Isles games this season (8 for and 8 against)…Colin MacDonald had two assists; he also has a two-goal game vs. Philadelphia this season…John Tavares has matched his rookie season total of 24 goals; his 24 goals in 40 games places him third in the NHL, and on a pace for 49 goals over an 82-game season
First Time in a Long Time
The Isles have 15 points (7-1-1) in the last nine games for the first time since a similar stretch in 2009-10. The last time the Isles had more than 15 points in a nine-game stretch was early in the 2001-02 season.
First Time in a Long Time II
The Isles have allowed two goals or fewer in six straight games. It's the first time since an 8-game stretch from 1/17 to 1/31/2004 that the Isles have allowed two or fewer in six straight games.
The Standings:
· 3 Washington (SE Leader) 40 games 21-17-2 44 points (18 ROW) Next game: Thursday vs. Carolina
· 5. Toronto 39 games 22-13-4 48 points (22 ROW) Next game: Wednesday at NY Rangers
· 6 Ottawa 39 games 19-14-6 44 points (15 ROW) Next game: Thursday at Philadelphia
· 7 NY Islanders 40 games 20-16-4 44 points (17 ROW) Next game: Thursday at Boston
· 8 NY Rangers 39 games 19-16-4 42 points (16 ROW) Next game: Wednesday vs. Toronto
· 9 Winnipeg 41 games 20-19-2 42 points (19 ROW) Next game: Thursday vs. Florida
· 10 New Jersey 39 games 15-14-10 40 points (13 ROW) Next game: Wednesday vs. Boston
Isn't it Magic?
The Islanders' magic number for clinching a playoff spot is 15. Of the teams currently not in a playoff spot, New Jersey can reach the highest total (58 points).
The Shots:
Isles 8-13-11=32
Flyers 5-14-8=27
The Isles have allowed 27 shots or less in six straight games and in 11 of their last 12 games.
Home and Road
The Islanders are 20-16-4 overall, 9-11-2 at home and 11-5-2 on the road. Their 44 points in 40 games is their highest total since they also had 44 points in 40 games in 2007-08. The Isles are four games over NHL-.500 for the first time since February 28, 2008 when they were 31-27-7.
The Isles have points in five straight (4-0-1) and are 7-1-1 in their last nine games. They have won four straight at home for the first time since a six-game winning streak from December 29, 2009 - January 21, 2010.
The Flyers are 17-19-3 overall, 12-5-2 at home and 5-14-1 on the road. The Flyers have lost two straight after winning their previous four games.
In the Nets
Evgeni Nabokov made 26 saves and improves to 19-11-4 on the season and lowers his goals against average to 2.59. It was Nabokov's 331st career win, tying Nikolai Khabibulin for 19th place in NHL history (and third, behind Martin Brodeur and Roberto Luongo among active goalies).
With 19 wins, Nabokov is now one behind Marc-Andre Fleury and Niklas Backstrom for the NHL lead (20). His 19 wins match last season's total (19-18-3).
Steve Mason made 28 saves in his first start for the Flyers but falls to 3-7-1 overall.
Power Plays
The Islanders were 0-1 while the Flyers were 0-2. The Isles' power play is 0-11 this season against Philadelphia.
The Isles have had either one or two power plays in five straight games (2-7), and have had only one power play in each of their last three home games.
The Isles have not allowed a power play goal in a season-high six straight games (11-11); they also had a six-game streak late last season.
The Isles are 13-3-1 when they score at least one power play goal and 7-13-3 when they do not.
In (Almost) Every Game
The Isles have been tied or ahead at some point in the third period in 34 of 40 games this season (20-10-4).
Coach Cappy
Jack Capuano is the third winningest coach in Islander history and is just one win behind Terry Simpson for second place. He is also now tied with Simpson for the third-highest total in games coached for the Islanders.
Most wins by Islander coaches:
1. Al Arbour 740
2. Terry Simpson 81
3. Jack Capuano 80
4. Peter Laviolette 77
5. Ted Nolan 74
Most games coached (Islanders):
1. Al Arbour 1,500
2. Mike Milbury 191
3. Jack Capuano 187
4. Terry Simpson 187
5. Scott Gordon 181
They Said It
John Tavares on the Fans: "When we started to generate some momentum throughout the game, and especially in the third period, they got loud. They pushed us and created a great atmosphere. We want to make our building a tough place to play in and they're part of that. They make it difficult as much as we do."
They Tweeted It
@KatieStrangESPN #Isles Game ends with fans chanting "We Want Playoffs!" at NVMC. Final score Isles 4, Flyers 1
The Coach
"They wanted to play meaningful games in the last month…and they are getting that opportunity."
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 1-10-3 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 24:29 to lead the Isles. Claude Giroux led the Flyers with 23:43.
In the Circle
The Islanders won 25 of 51 draws. John Tavares won 7 of 10 for the Isles; he has won 15 of 23 over the last two games.
Heavy Hitters
The Islanders out-hit the Flyers 19-18. Matt Martin led the Isles with 5 hits; he has an NHL-leading 199 hits. Martin also fought Brayden Schenn; it was Martin's seventh fight and the team's 15th fight this season.
Giving Up the Body
The Isles were credited with 12 blocked shots. Andrew MacDonald was one of four players with two blocks. He now leads the NHL with 106 blocks.
All–time Winners
The Islanders improve to 6 games over all-time NHL .500 (1367-1361-436 in 3,164 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 4-0-1 in April.
Ironmen
With Matt Moulson missing Saturday's game, John Tavares is the reigning Islanders' ironman. Tavares has now played in 199 consecutive games.
Three other Islanders have streaks of at least 100 games. Frans Nielsen and Mark Streit have each played in 122 consecutive games while Kyle Okposo has played in 105 consecutive games.
Four other Islanders have played every game this season: Travis Hamonic (62 consecutive games), Matt Martin (53), Andrew Mac Donald & Brad Boyes (40).
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 199
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 122
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 Moulson replaced Anders Lee in the lineup while Matt Carker replaced Radek Martinek. Marty Reasoner and Eric Boulton were also scratched. Joe Finley and Brian Strait are on injured reserve.
Scoring
The Isles have scored 80 goals in their 20 wins (4.00 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
19. Nikolai Khabibulin 331
21. Harry Lumley 330
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 | |||
| 27 | Greg Gilbert | 138 | |
| 28 | John Tavares | 136 | |
| 29 | Mark Streit | 134 | |
| 30 | Frans Nielsen | 132 | |
| 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 | 359 |
| 41 | Dave Scatchard | 347 |
| 50 | Eric Cairns | 327 |
| 51 | Alan Kerr | 326 |
| 52 | Brad Dalgarno | 321 |
| 52 | Josh Bailey | 321 |
| 54 | Ray Ferraro | 316 |
| 54 | Steve Webb | 316 |
| 54 | Richard Park | 316 |
| 57 | Gerald Diduck | 314 |
| 58 | Kyle Okposo | 311 |
| 59 | Mikko Makela | 307 |
| 60 | Gordon Lane | 304 |
| 61 | Arron Asham | 300 |
| 61 | Roman Hamrlik | 300 |
| 63 | Gordon Dineen | 287 |
| 64 | Matt Moulson | 285 |
| 65 | John Tavares | 283 |
| 66 | Jeffrey Norton | 282 |
| 67 | Mark Streit | 278 |
| 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 | 190 |
| 41 | Jeffrey Norton | 188 |
| 42 | Lorne Henning | 184 |
| 43 | Kyle Okposo | 178 |
| 44 | Mark Streit | 173 |
| 45 | Randy Wood | 172 |
Season Series Stats
The Isles lead the season series two games to one (the Isles have earned four points to Philadelphia's three). The final meeting of the season will be on April 25th in Philadelphia.
It's the Isles' first home win over the Flyers since April 1, 2010 (0-6-1).
Happy Anniversary
23 years ago tonight (4-9-90): In the first double-overtime game in Coliseum history, Brent Sutter scored 59 seconds into the second overtime as the Islanders defeated the Rangers 4-3. The victory was the Isles' only win in a five-game series.
Also on this date: The Islanders blank the Senators 3-0 (2003) for Garth Snow's only playoff shutout as an Islander.
All-time, the Isles are 3-4-0 in regular season play and 4-4 in the Stanley Cup Playoffs on this date.
On The Farm
Bridgeport was shutout 3-0 at home by Worcester Tuesday. Bridgeport is 30-30-6-5 on the season; three of their final five games are at home. The Sound Tigers are four points out of a playoff spot with five to play. Bridgeport has only one game in the next seven days, in Syracuse on Friday.
Up Next
THURSDAY, APRIL 11th ISLANDERS AT BOSTON (7:00PM)
[MSG+ (pre-game show at 6:30), WRHU (88.7FM]
[MSG+ (pre-game show at 6:30), WRHU (88.7FM]
Could it be a possible playoff preview when the Isles visit Boston on Thursday? It's the final meeting of the regular season between the Isles and Bruins with the Bruins winning each of the first two.
The Isles will be catching the Bruins on the back-end of a back-to-back set as Boston visits New Jersey on Wednesday.
This is the only game remaining on the Islanders schedule against a team in the Top 6 in the Eastern Conference standings.
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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