"The Skinny"
By Eric Hornick
Game 42
Rangers 1, Isles 0 (OT)
Dan Girardi scored the game's only goal 3:11 into overtime as the New York Rangers defeated the Islanders 1-0 before a sellout crowd of 16,170 at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum. The Islanders outplayed the Blueshirts for large stretches of the game, but Henrik Lundqvist made 29 saves to record his 44th career shutout (and first in 52 games, dating back to a win over New Jersey on February 27, 2012). The Islanders are 8-1-2 in their last 11 and remain in 7th place in the East, one point behind sixth place Ottawa and one point ahead of the eighth place Rangers.
The Scoring:
1st Period
NONE
2nd Period
NONE
3rd Period
NONE
Overtime
03:11 NYR D. Girardi (2) Wrist - ASST: D. Brassard (16) AND M. Del Zotto (14) 1 - 0 NYR
The Skinny:
The Isles are 8-1-2 in the last 11 and remain 5 games over NHL-.500 for the first time since February 21, 2008… The Isles have outscored their opponents 13-4 in the third period over the last 11 games…Both of Dan Girardi's goals this season have come against the Islanders; he has 5 career goals against the Isles and 26 against the rest of the NHL…Brad Boyes played in his 600th NHL game… The Rangers are 3-0 in games decided by an overtime goal while the Islanders are 2-4… The Rangers have shut-out the Islanders in each of the last four seasons (and five times in the last six seasons), all by Henrik Lundqvist.
First Time in a Long Time
The Isles have 18 points (8-1-2) in the last 11 games for the first time since they had 20 points in a 11-game stretch (9-0-1-1) to open the 2001-02 season.
First Time in a Long Time II
The Isles have allowed two goals or fewer in eight 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. They have not had a longer streak since they went nine straight games allowing two goals or fewer from October 17- November 6, 2001.
1-0 Losses
It's the first time the Islanders have EVER lost a home game in overtime by a 1-0 score and only the sixth time in club history they have lost 1-0 at home:
· 16-Jan-73 Vs Minnesota
· 22-Jan-83 Vs Philadelphia
· 15-Nov-97 Vs Florida
· 2-Mar-08 Vs Florida
· 25-Nov-11 Vs New Jersey
· 13-Apr-13 Vs New York (ot)
It's the second time that the Rangers have beaten the Isles 1-0 (March 17, 2003 at MSG; Brian Leetch had the only goal) and the second time that an Islander-Ranger game reached overtime scoreless (December 9, 1989: Mark Fitzpatrick and John Vanbiesbrouck finished in a scoreless tie).
The Standings:
· 3 Washington (SE Leader) 42 games 23-17-2 48 points (20 ROW) Next game: Tuesday vs. Toronto
· 5. Toronto 41 games 23-13-5 51 points (23 ROW) Next game: Monday vs. New Jersey
· 6 Ottawa 41 games 20-14-6 48 points (17 ROW) Next game: Monday at Boston
· 7 NY Islanders 42 games 21-16-5 47 points (18 ROW) Next game: Tuesday vs. Florida
· 8 NY Rangers 41 games 21-16-4 46 points (17 ROW) Next game: Tuesday at Philadelphia
· 9 Winnipeg 42 games 21-19-2 44 points (20 ROW) Next game: Tuesday vs. Tampa Bay
· 10 New Jersey 41 games 15-16-10 40 points (13 ROW) Next game: Monday at Toronto
· 11 Buffalo 42 games 17-19-6 40 points (12 ROW) Next game: Sunday vs. Tampa Bay
Isn't it Magic?
The Islanders' magic number for clinching a playoff spot is 10. Of the teams currently not in a playoff spot, Winnipeg can reach the highest total (56 points).
The Shots:
Isles 10-12-6-1=29
Rangers 8-7-3-2=20
The Isles have allowed 27 or fewer shots in 12 of the last 14 games. The Rangers have won the last four games at the Coliseum that they were held to 20 shots or less.
Home and Road
The Islanders are 21-16-5 overall, 9-11-3 at home and 12-5-2 on the road. Their 47 points in 42 games is their highest total since they had 49 points in 42 games in 2001-02. The Isles remain five games over NHL-.500 for the first time since February 21, 2008 when they were 30-25-7.
The overtime loss assures the Isles of finishing with a sub-.500 record at home for the third straight season. With a win on Tuesday, the Isles will finish one point below NHL .500 at home for the third straight season. The Isles are 4-0-1 in their last five games at home.
The Isles have points in seven straight (5-0-2) and are 8-1-2 in their last 11 games. It's the first time since March 1- March 12, 2011 that the Isles have earned points in seven straight games (4-0-3) and matches their longest point streak since an eight-game streak January 18 - February 7, 2007 (5-0-3).
The Rangers are 21-16-4 overall, 13-6-2 at home and 8-10-2 on the road.
In the Nets
Evgeni Nabokov made 19 saves. He is 20-11-5 on the season and lowers his goals against average to 2.50.
Henrik Lundqvist made 29 saves for the Rangers and improves to 19-14-3 on the season. Lundqvist is 27-11-5 in his career against the Islanders, including five shutouts.
Power Plays
The Islanders were 0-2 while the Rangers were 0-4.
The Isles have had either one or two power plays in seven straight games (2-10).
The Isles have killed 15 of 16 over the last eight games.
The Isles are 13-3-1 when they score at least one power play goal and 7-14-4 when they do not.
In (Almost) Every Game
The Isles have been tied or ahead at some point in the third period in 36 of 42 games this season (21-10-5).
Coach Cappy
Jack Capuano has 81 career wins, 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 189
4. Terry Simpson 187
5. Scott Gordon 181
They Said It
Evgeni Nabokov: "We played a good game. We should be proud of the way we played. We didn't get the results we wanted, but it's hockey; this stuff happens. A little bounce here, a little bounce there – none of them went our way. We hit the post, but that's a part of the game. I think it was a great game. Some fans want a four-five goal game, but I'd rather have this type of atmosphere."
They Tweeted It
@StapeNewsday Incredible sequence between stoppages -- #Isles hit two posts, one by Cizikas, one by Okposo. Lundqvist keeping it 0-0 end of 2.
The Coach
"It was a great hockey game. I thought the guys deserved better.''
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 2-10-4 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 55 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
Lubomir Visnovsky played 25:50 to lead the Isles. Dan Girardi led the Rangers with 29:13.
In the Circle
The Islanders won 32 of 54 draws. John Tavares won 8 of 11 for the Isles; he has won 31 of 47 over the last four games.
Heavy Hitters
The Islanders out-hit the Rangers 20-19. Matt Martin led the Isles with 8 hits; he has an NHL-leading 212 hits. There were no fights, leaving the season total at 15.
Giving Up the Body
The Isles were credited with 15 blocked shots. Matt Martin had four blocks while Travis Hamonic and Andrew MacDonald each had two. MacDonald now leads the NHL with 112 blocks.
All–time Winners
The Islanders remain 7 games over all-time NHL .500 (1368-1361-437 in 3,166 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.
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 5-0-2 in April.
Ironmen
John Tavares is the reigning Islanders' ironman. Tavares has now played in 201 consecutive games.
Three other Islanders have streaks of at least 100 games. Frans Nielsen and Mark Streit have each played in 124 consecutive games while Kyle Okposo has played in 107 consecutive games.
Four other Islanders have played every game this season: Travis Hamonic (64 consecutive games), Matt Martin (55), Andrew Mac Donald & Brad Boyes (42).
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 201
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 124
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 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 | 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 | 361 |
| 41 | Dave Scatchard | 347 |
| 50 | Eric Cairns | 327 |
| 51 | Alan Kerr | 326 |
| 52 | Josh Bailey | 323 |
| 53 | Brad Dalgarno | 321 |
| 54 | Ray Ferraro | 316 |
| 54 | Steve Webb | 316 |
| 54 | Richard Park | 316 |
| 57 | Gerald Diduck | 314 |
| 58 | Kyle Okposo | 313 |
| 59 | Mikko Makela | 307 |
| 60 | Gordon Lane | 304 |
| 61 | Arron Asham | 300 |
| 61 | Roman Hamrlik | 300 |
| 63 | Gordon Dineen | 287 |
| 63 | Matt Moulson | 287 |
| 65 | John Tavares | 285 |
| 66 | Jeffrey Norton | 282 |
| 67 | Mark Streit | 280 |
| 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 Rangers win the season series three games to one (the Rangers earned seven points to the Isles' four).
This was the 22nd regular season April meeting between the teams; the Isles are now 16-4-2 (7-2-2 at the Coliseum). They are 3-1-2 in the last six games overall against the Rangers.
Happy Anniversary
31 years ago tonight (4-13-82): John Tonelli scored 6:19 into overtime as the Islanders completed a remarkable rally to eliminate the Pittsburgh Penguins, winning the fifth and deciding game by a score of 4-3. Mike McEwen and Tonelli had scored at 14:33 and 17:39 of the third period to force the game into the extra session. The rally was precipitated in part by a move by legendary coach Al Arbour who pulled goaltender Billy Smith. At the time, the rules allowed for a warm-up period for the replacement goalie, which Arbour used to rest his top lines. The rule was changed a couple of years later and Howie Rose frequently notes the "Al Arbour rule" when a replacement goalie has to come in and play without a warm-up.
Also on this date: (1994) The Isles clinch a playoff berth behind a 2-0 Ron Hextall shutout in Tampa Bay; (1984) Anders Kallur scored 7:35 into overtime as the Isles beat the Caps 5-4 to even their series at 1 game each.
All-time, the Isles are 1-1-5 in regular season play and 4-3 in the Stanley Cup Playoffs on this date.
On The Farm
Bridgeport is 31-30-6-5 on the season and finds themselves six points out of a playoff spot with four to play. Bridgeport hosts only Portland on Tuesday.
Up Next
TUESDAY, APRIL 16th FLORIDA 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 will close out the home campaign as they entertain the Florida Panthers. The Isles have won the first two meetings this season and three straight from Florida overall. The last time the Isles had a longer winning streak against Florida was from December 30, 2002 to January 31, 2004.
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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