"The Skinny"
By Eric Hornick
Game 45
Isles 5, Jets 4 (SO)
John Tavares scored the deciding goal in the shootout as the Islanders extended their point streak to 10 straight games (8-0-2) with a 5-4 shootout win over the Winnipeg Jets 5-4 before a sellout crowd of 15,004 at the MTS Center. The Islanders are also 11-1-2 in their last 14 and, coupled with Toronto's win over Ottawa on Saturday evening, have climbed into sixth place in the East, one point ahead of Ottawa, three points ahead of the 8th place Rangers and four points ahead of 9th place Winnipeg.
The Scoring:
1st Period
04:21 NYI F. Nielsen (6) Wrist - ASST: K. Okposo (17) AND J. Bailey (8) 1 - 0 NYI
10:42 WPG Z. Bogosian (5) Slap - ASST: B. Wheeler (22) AND A. Ladd (27) 1 - 1 TIE
12:14 NYI J. Bailey (10) Wrist - ASST: K. Okposo (18) AND F. Nielsen (22) 2 - 1 NYI
2nd Period
09:47 NYI M. Martin (4) Wrist - ASST: J. Joensuu (2) AND L. Visnovsky (10) 3 - 1 NYI
10:27 WPG K. Wellwood (5) Wrist - ASST: E. Kane (16) AND J. Wright (2) 3 - 2 NYI
13:24 WPG K. Wellwood (6) Wrist - ASST: G. Clitsome (11) 3 - 3 TIE
3rd Period
09:13 NYI M. Grabner (16) Wrist - ASST: C. McDonald (10) AND L. Visnovsky (11) 4 - 3 NYI
17:59 WPG PPG - B. Little (7) Wrist - ASST: A. Ladd (28) AND G. Clitsome (12) 4 - 4 TIE
OT Period
NONE
The Shootout:
Blake Wheeler (NG), Frans Nielsen (NG), Mike Santorelli (NG), Brad Boyes (G), Andrew Ladd (G), John Tavares (G)
The Skinny:
The Isles are 11-1-2 in the last 14 and are 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 15-6 in the third period over the last 14 games… The Isles (excluding shootouts) have now scored 130 goals and allowed 130… The Isles have scored eight first period goals over the last three games…Evgeni Nabokov recorded his 335th career win, passing Gump Worsley for 18th place all-time…Frans Nielsen's two points give him 195 career points, tying Butch Goring for 39th place in Isles history.
First Time in a Long Time
The Isles have 24 points (11-1-2) in the last 14 games for the first time since they had 24 points in the first 14 games of the 200-102 season. They have not had more than 24 points in any 14 game stretch since they won 14 of 15 games in the 1989-90 season, recording 24 points in two overlapping 14-game stretches.
The Standings:
- 3 Washington (SE Leader) 45 games 25-18-2 52 points (22 ROW) Next game: Tuesday vs. Winnipeg
- 5. Toronto 45 games 25-15-5 55 points (25 ROW) Next game: Wednesday at Tampa Bay
- 6 Ottawa 44 games 23-15-6 52 points (19 ROW) Next game: Montreal vs. Pittsburgh
- 7 NY Islanders 45 games 24-16-5 53 points (20 ROW) Next game: Tuesday at Carolina
- 8 NY Rangers 44 games 23-17-4 50 points (19 ROW) Next game: Sunday vs. New Jersey
- 9 Winnipeg 45 games 23-19-3 49 points (21 ROW) Next game: Tuesday at Washington
Isn't it Magic?
The Islanders' magic number for clinching a playoff spot is 3. Of the teams currently not in a playoff spot, Winnipeg can reach the highest total (55 points).
The Shots:
Isles 11-12-6-4=33
Jets 4-9-12-3=28
The Isles have allowed 28 or fewer shots in 15 of the last 17 games.
Home and Road
The Islanders are 24-16-5 overall, 10-11-3 at home and 14-5-2 on the road. Their 53 points in 45 games matches their highest total since they had 60 points in 44 games in 1983-84.
The Isles have earned 30 of a possible 42 road points (.714). Their all-time road point percentage is .663, set in 1976-77 and matched in 1980-81. The Isles need to earn 2 points in their final three 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 ten straight (8-0-2) and are 11-1-2 in their last 14 games. It's their longest point streak since they opened the 2001-02 season with a 9-0-1-1 record.
The Jets are 23-19-3 overall, 13-9-1 at home and 10-12-2 on the road. The loss broke a five-game winning streak for Winnipeg, all at home. It's the first time since the franchise relocated to Winnipeg that they had won five straight games at home.
In the Nets
Evgeni Nabokov made 24 saves to improve to 23-11-5 on the season. Nabokov is tied for the league lead in victories (with San Jose's Antti Niemi).
Ondrej Pavelec made 29 saves for the Jets; he is 20-18-3 on the season.
Power Plays
The Islanders were 0-5 while the Jets were 1-3.
The Isles have had five power plays in consecutive games after going nine games without reaching that total.
The Jets did not allow a power play goal during their six-game homestand.
The Isles are 15-3-1 when they score at least one power play goal and 9-13-4 when they do not.
In (Almost) Every Game
The Isles have been tied or ahead at some point in the third period in 39 of 45 games this season (24-10-5).
Second to One
Jack Capuano is now 2nd on the all-time Islander list in both games coached (192) 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 192
3. Mike Milbury 191
4. Terry Simpson 187
5. Scott Gordon 181
They Said It
Jiggs McDonald during the first period: "(Is it) one of those days where last shot wins." Yes, sir, it is.
They Tweeted It
@StapeNewsday: Visnovsky on his OT save: "I just go down and try to play like Nabby. No problem."
The Coach
"We've just got to make sure that we stay focused, we enjoy this one and we move on to Carolina (where the Islanders play the Hurricanes on Tuesday).
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, 10-4-0 when he has one point, and 4-10-4 when Tavares is pointless.
What a Pair!
John Tavares and Matt Moulson have combined for 41 goals this season. Moulson has assisted on 19 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 247 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.
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 26:10 to lead the Isles. Ron Hainsey led Winnipeg with 27:37.
In the Circle
The Islanders won 35 of 64 draws. Kyle Okposo won 8 of 10 to lead the Isles. John Tavares won 16 of 22; he has won 73 of 116 over the last seven games.
Heavy Hitters
The Islanders were out-hit 43-14.. Matt Martin had two hits; he has an NHL-leading 218 hits. There were no fights, leaving the season total at 17 fighting majors.
Giving Up the Body
The Isles were credited with 16 blocked shots. Travis Hamonic led the Islanders with five blocks. Andrew MacDonald had three, raising his NHL-leading total to 119.
All–time Winners
The Islanders are 10 games over all-time NHL .500 (1371-1361-437 in 3,169 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 8-0-2 in April.
Ironmen
John Tavares is the reigning Islanders' ironman. Tavares has now played in 204 consecutive games.
Three other Islanders have streaks of at least 100 games. Frans Nielsen and Mark Streit have each played in 127 consecutive games while Kyle Okposo has played in 110 consecutive games.
Four other Islanders have played every game this season: Travis Hamonic (67 consecutive games), Matt Martin (58), Andrew Mac Donald & Brad Boyes (45).
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 204
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 127
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
Brian Strait returned to the line-up for the first time since being injured on Presidents Day. Strait replaced Matt Carkner in the lineup; Jesse Joensuu replaced 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 34 goals in their other 21 games (0-16-5; 1.62 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
|
110
| |
24
|
Benoit Hogue
|
105
| |
24
|
Ed Westfall
|
105
| |
Career Assists as an Islander
| |||
26
|
Steve Thomas
|
140
| |
27
|
Mark Streit
|
138
| |
27
|
Greg Gilbert
|
138
| |
29
|
John Tavares
|
137
| |
30
|
Frans Nielsen
|
135
| |
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
|
364
|
41
|
Dave Scatchard
|
347
|
50
|
Eric Cairns
|
327
|
51
|
Alan Kerr
|
326
|
51
|
Josh Bailey
|
326
|
53
|
Brad Dalgarno
|
321
|
54
|
Kyle Okposo
|
316
|
54
|
Ray Ferraro
|
316
|
54
|
Steve Webb
|
316
|
54
|
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
|
290
|
64
|
John Tavares
|
288
|
65
|
Gordon Dineen
|
287
|
66
|
Mark Streit
|
283
|
67
|
Jeffrey Norton
|
282
|
Career Points as an Islander
23
|
David Volek
|
249
|
24
|
John Tavares
|
247
|
25
|
Ray Ferraro
|
238
|
35
|
Matt Moulson
|
212
|
36
|
Anders Kallur
|
211
|
37
|
Marty McInnis
|
198
|
38
|
Wayne Merrick
|
197
|
39
|
Frans Nielsen
|
195
|
39
|
Robert Goring
|
195
|
41
|
Jeffrey Norton
|
188
|
42
|
Lorne Henning
|
184
|
43
|
Kyle Okposo
|
183
|
44
|
Mark Streit
|
178
|
45
|
Randy Wood
|
172
|
Season Series Stats
The Islanders win the season series two games to one (and five points to two). All three games were high-scoring, with the Isles outscoring Winnipeg 13-11.
Happy Anniversary
32 years ago tonight (4-20-81): The Islanders and Oilers met three times in the early 80's; two of the series decided the Stanley Cup (1983 and 1984) but it was in the first series that they played their only overtime game. In game 4 of the series, Ken Morrow is the overtime hero, scoring at 5:41 to give the Isles a 3-1 lead in the series.
Also on this date: (1975) The comeback begins as the Isles beat Pittsburgh 3-1; (1979) Chico Resch stops Mike Walton on a penalty shot, and all the other Hawks shots, too for a 4-0 shutout; (1993) Brian Mullen scores at 14:50 of the second overtime to give the Isles a win in Washington in the 2ns longest game in franchise history.
All-time, the Isles are 1-1-0 in regular season play and 6-3 in the Stanley Cup Playoffs on this date.
On The Farm
Bridgeport is 31-32-7-5. The Sound Tigers were eliminated from playoff consideration with their loss on Friday and were beaten by Providence on Saturday. Their season finale is Sunday vs. Providence.
Up Next
TUESDAY, APRIL 23rd ISLANDERS AT CAROLINA (7:00PM)
[MSG+ (pre-game show at 6:30), WRHU (88.7FM]
[MSG+ (pre-game show at 6:30), WRHU (88.7FM]
The Isles have beaten 13 of their 14 Eastern Conference opponents this season -- they have one more shot at beating them all when they visit Carolina in the middle game of a season-ending five game road trip.
The Isles swept four games from the Canes last season but dropped two decisions at the Coliseum in February. At the time, Carolina was near the top of their division but they have only two wins in their last 19 games heading into their Sunday game at Tampa.
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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