The Skinny: Buffalo 4, Isles 3 (OT)

"The Skinny"  

 

By Eric Hornick

 

Game 81

Buffalo 4, Isles 3 (OT)

Brian Gionta scored his 2^nd goal of the game at 2:46 of overtime as the Buffalo Sabres defeated the Isles 4-3 before a crowd of 14,811 at Barclays Center.

 

Scott Mayfield and Alan Quine each scored their first NHL goals for the Isles, while Evan Rodrigues did the same for the Sabres.  Quine's goal came in his first NHL game.

 

The point raised the Islander total to an even 100; they are one point behind the 3^rd place Rangers and will pass the Rangers if they beat Philadelphia on Sunday.

 

The Isles are 6-1-1 in their last eight as they remain 19 games over NHL-.500.

The Scoring:

1ST PERIOD

NONE

 

2ND PERIOD

02:03    NYI      Scott Mayfield (1) ASST: Casey Cizikas (21), Steve Bernier (5)   1 - 0 NYI           

05:10    BUF     Matt Moulson (8) ASST: Jack Eichel (32), Sam Reinhart (19)       1 - 1 Tie           

17:57    BUF     Evan Rodrigues (1) ASST: Ryan O'Reilly (39), Nicolas Deslauriers (6) 2 - 1 BUF    

 

3RD PERIOD

02:07    NYI      SHG - Alan Quine (1) ASST: Bracken Kearns (1) 2 - 2 Tie           

05:57    BUF     Brian Gionta (11) ASST: Hudson Fasching (1), Josh Gorges (10) 3 - 2 BUF           

13:34    NYI      John Tavares (33) ASST: Calvin de Haan (12)    3 - 3 Tie           

 

OT PERIOD

02:46    BUF     Brian Gionta (12) ASST: Mark Pysyk (10), Evan Rodrigues (1)    4 - 3 BUF

The Skinny

John Tavares now has goals in four consecutive games (4-5-9); it was his 207^th career goal, passing John Tonelli for 10^th place on the all-time Isles list… Nikolay Kulemin missed his first game in nearly three seasons, ending his consecutive game streak at 230; Kulemin had played all 162 games since joining the Isles for the start of last season…Anders Lee' s consecutive game streak ended at 156 games.  It was the first regular season game he had missed since he was recalled from Bridgeport early last season…Scott Mayfield blocked 8 shots; it was the most blocks by an Islander rookie since the stat has been tracked…The Sabres improved by 27 points from last season (54 to 81)…The Isles finished the season 8-12-4 against Atlantic Division opponents…Former Islander Matt Moulson is now 5-1-6 in 7 games against the Isles… Bracken Kearns wore #38; he's the first Isles to wear that number since Jack Hillen in 2011…Josh Gorges recorded his 100^th career assist.

 

Quine Time

Alan Quine is the first Islander to score in his first NHL game since Anders Lee (4-2-13 vs Winnipeg) and the first NHL player to score shorthanded in his NHL debut since Jordan Eberle (10-7-10 for Edmonton vs. Calgary). Since 1987-88, the only Islander to score shorthanded in any of his first five NHL games was Sean Bergenheim, whose first NHL goal came shorthanded on 10/25/2003 in his 5^th NHL game.

 

Pair of Firsts

Scott Mayfield and Alan Quine are the 353^rd and 354^th players to score a goal for the Isles.  They are NOT the first pair to do so in the same game; while I don't have a complete list, Trent Hunter and Sean Bergenheim did so on October 25, 2003 vs. Pittsburgh.

 

Trio of Firsts

It's the first time since October 15, 2008 that three players have scored their first NHL goal in the same game.  Patric Hornqvist and Ryan Jones scored for Nashville while Fabian Brunnstrom scored his first three career goals for Dallas.

Firsts For and Against

Since 1987-88, Alan Quine is the 10^th Islander to score his first goal in his first NHL game.  The Isles have allowed 9 of these goals in that span.  (Thanks, Hockey-Reference.com)

 

Greiss in Record Territory

 

Player                         Season   SA    SV      SV%    MIN 
Thomas Greiss           2015-16    1188 1100   .926    2267 
Al Montoya               2010-11    585    539     .921    1154 
Wade Dubielewicz    2007-08    627    576     .919    1132 
Jaroslav Halak           2015-16    984    904     .919    2091 
Rick DiPietro             2006-07    1917    1761 .919    3627

 

Comeback Kids

The Isles have earned 20 points (7-21-6) in games that they trailed after 2 periods.

 

The 7 wins:

4-Dec-15          Vs        St. Louis (Trailed 1-0, won 2-1 in a shootout)

14-Jan-16         Vs        New York (Trailed 1-0, won 3-1)

9-Feb-16           @         Columbus (Trailed 2-1, won 3-2 in a shootout)

25-Feb-16         @         Calgary (Trailed 1-0, won 2-1 in overtime)

14-Mar-16         Vs        Florida (Trailed 2-0, won 3-2)

26-Mar-16         @         Carolina (Trailed 3-2, won 4-3 in overtime)

29-Mar-16         Vs        Carolina (Trailed 1-0, won 2-1 in a shootout)

 

Most wins (since 1987-88) by Isles when trailing after 2 periods

10 in 2013-14

7 in 2015-16

 

(Through games on April 9)

Metropolitan Division Standings (Top 5)

xy Washington 56-17-8=120 points / 81 games (52 ROW) Beat St. Louis 5-1

x Pittsburgh     48-26-8=104 points / 82 games (44 ROW) Lost to Philly 3-1

x NY Rangers 46-27-9=101 points / 82 games (43 ROW) Beat Detroit 3-2

x ISLES         45-26-10=100 points / 81 games (40 ROW Lost to Buffalo 4-3 (OT)

x Philadelphia 40-27-14=94 points/ 81 games (37 ROW) Beat Pittsburgh 3-1

 

x Clinched Playoff Spot

y Clinched Division Title, Conference Title and President's Trophy

 

Remaining Schedule:

Washington:  4/10 vs. Anaheim

ISLES: 4/10 vs. Philadelphia

Philadelphia: 4/10 @ ISLES

 

Playoff Possibilities

If the Isles beat Philadelphia (in any fashion) they will finish third in the Metropolitan Division and play Pittsburgh.

If the Isles lose to Philadelphia (in any fashion) they will finish fourth in the Metropolitan Division, be the first wild card, and play Florida.

 

 "Home" Stretch

The Isles are playing six of their final eight games at home this season; it's the first time in franchise history that this has happened.  The Isles are 5-1-1 in this stretch:

 

·        March 29 vs. Hurricanes (Won 2-1 SO)

·        March 31 vs. Blue Jackets (Won 4-3)

·        April 2 vs. Penguins (Lost 5-0)

·        April 4 vs. Lightning (Win 5-2)

·        April 5 @ Capitals (Win 4-3 OT)

·        April 7 @ Rangers (Win 4-1)

·        April 9 vs. Sabres (Lost 4-3 OT)

·        April 10 vs. Flyers

 

Most Points in The Post-Cup Era through 81 games

·        100 in 2015-16

·        100 in 2014-15

 

Home Sweet Home

The Isles are 25-10-5 on home-ice (55 points).  It's the first time since 1983-84 and 1984-85 that the Isles have earned at least 52 points at home in consecutive seasons.

Most Home Points in Post Cup Era

·        57 in 1984-85 (40 home games)

·        55 in 2015-16

·        55 in 2003-04

·        55 in 1985-86 (40 home games)

Road Warriors

The Isles finish their road schedule with a record of 20-16-5. It's the 10^th time in franchise history that the Isles have won 20 road games in a season. 

 

Most Road Points in Post Cup Era

·        47  2014-15

·        47 2001-12

·        45 2015-16

·        44 2013-14

·        44 1993-94 (42 road games)

 

The Isles have recorded an above NHL-.500 road record for the 4^th straight season, matching the club record (1975-76 to 1978-79).

 

The Shots

Isles          6-10-8-0=24

Buffalo      7-7-11-1=26

 

Home and Road

The Islanders are 45-26-10 overall; 25-10-5 at home and 20-16-5 on the road. 

Buffalo finishes 35-36-11 overall; 16-19-6 at home and 19-17-5 on the road.

 

By Division

The Isles are 18-7-4 in Division games and are 27-19-6 in games against other divisions. They are 8-12-4 vs. the Atlantic Division, 9-4-1 vs. the Central Division, and 10-3-1 vs. the Pacific Division. 

 

How The West Was Won

The Isles went 19-7-2 against the Western Conference, including 12-0-2 at home. The Isles have the most wins of any Eastern Conference team against the Western Conference and are guaranteed to finish with the record of an Eastern team vs. the West. 

In the Nets

Christopher Gibson made 22 saves; he is 1-0-1 in his NHL career.

Linus Ullmark made 21 saves to finish his rookie season with an 8-10-2 record, including 2-1-0 against the Isles. It was his first NHL game since January 12^th.

Power Plays

The Islanders were 0-1 on the power play, while Buffalo was 0-2.    

The Isles are 27-5-4 when they score at least one power play goal and 18-21-6 when they do not.  The Isles are 13-12-3 when they allow at least one power play goal and 32-14-7 when they do not. 

Three is (Usually) a Magic Number

The Isles are 37-4-2 when they score at least three goals (including shootout winners) and are 8-22-8 when they do not.  The Isles were 40-8-4 when they scored at least three goals (including SO winners) last season.

One Goal Games

The Isles are 21-6-10 in games decided by a single goal including 10-6-0 in regulation. They are 6-5 in games decided in overtime and are 5-5 in shootouts.  The Isles are 6-5 in games in which an empty-net goal turns a 1 goal game into a 2-goal game.

First Goal

The Isles are 29-6-5 when they score first and are 16-20-5 when they allow the opening goal.   

Second to The One

Jack Capuano, the 2^nd winningest coach in Islander history, is 210-174-56 behind the Islander bench.  Among the 9 New York area teams, only the Yankees' Joe Girardi has led his team longer than Capuano. 

Most games coached (Islanders):

1.      Al Arbour 1,500

2.      Jack Capuano 440

3.      Mike Milbury 191

4.      Terry Simpson 187

5.      Scott Gordon 181

 

Most wins by Islander coaches:

1.      Al Arbour 740

2.      Jack Capuano 210

3.      Terry Simpson 81

4.      Peter Laviolette 77

5.      Ted Nolan 74

Capuano is the 86th coach in NHL history to coach at least 400 games. His 210 wins places him 67th all-time, 5 behind Brent Sutter and 9 behind Herb Brooks.

Back-to-Backs

Including tonight, the Isles are 5-5-5 on the front-end and 9-2-3 on the back end of back-to-backs this season. This back-to-back set concludes against Philadelphia on Sunday.

 

Tired vs. Rested

·        The Isles are 3-1-0 when both teams played the night before.

·        The Isles are 6-3-0 when they are rested and their opponents are not.

·        The Isles are 6-1-3 when their opponents are rested and the Isles are not.

Ice-time Leaders

Isles: Ryan Pulock (22:19); Buffalo: Rasmus Ruotsalainen (23:34)

Isles record by ice-time leaders: Travis Hamonic (24-6-6), Johnny Boychuk (5-3-0), Calvin deHaan (3-3-1), Nick Leddy (11-11-2), John Tavares (0-2-0), Tied (0-1-0)

Ryan Strome led the forwards with 18:20 of ice time. Isles record by Forward ice-time leaders: John Tavares (28-18-8), Ryan Strome (2-0-1), Kyle Okposo (3-3-1), Brock Nelson (1-0-0), Frans Nielsen (8-2-0), Josh Bailey (2-0-0), Tied (1-2-0). 

Face-offs

Isles 30, Buffalo 23 (57%)

John Tavares won 8 of 12 for the Isles; Ryan O'Reilly won 13 of 25. 

The Isles won at least 50% of the draws in each period, including the only faceoff in overtime.

The Isles won 28 of 44 draws at even strength, 0 of 5 on the power play and 2 of 4 on the penalty kill.

Heavy Hitters

Isles 20, Buffalo 18.  Eric Boulton led the Isles with four hits.

 

Most Hits in a Season (since 2005-06):

1          Matt Martin       2014-2015        NYI      382

2          Matt Martin       2011-2012        NYI      374

3          Matt Martin      2015-2016        NYI      365

4          Matt Martin       2013-2014        NYI      359

5          Cal Clutterbuck 2008-2009        MIN      356

6          Cal Clutterbuck 2014-2015        NYI      343

7          Cal Clutterbuck 2010-2011        MIN      336

8          Cal Clutterbuck 2009-2010        MIN      318

 

Fights

There were no fights. Season total – 23 (Martin-11, Lee-3, Bernier, Boychuk, Cizikas, Hamonic, Leddy, Mayfield, Okposo, Pulock, Strait). 

Blocked Shots

The Isles were credited with 17 blocked shots, including eight (all in the first two periods) from Scott Mayfield.

Most Blocked Shots by an Islander (since 2005-2006)

1              Brendan Witt                    2006-2007    207

2              Sean Hill                          2006-2007    202

3              Calvin de Haan                2015-2016    198

3              Andrew Mac Donald          2013-2014    198

5              Andrew Mac Donald          2011-2012    185

 

For the Corsi Crowd

All situations:  Isles 49, Buffalo 55.

5-on-5: Isles 42, Buffalo 46

The Corsi stat measures shots attempted, both for and against (including blocks). 

Ryan Pulock and Calvin deHaan led the Isles with a +9 5-on-5 Corsi rating; Pulock also led the squad with a 66% Corsi For percentage. Mark Pysyk led Buffalo with a +10 5-on-5 Corsi rating.

Ironmen

Two Islanders have played every game this season:

·       Nick Leddy – 91 (all for Isles)

·       Frans Nielsen – 81 (all for Isles)

Missing Men

Adam Quine, Bracken Kearns and Adam Pelech were recalled from Bridgeport, replacing Anders Lee, Nikolay Kulemin and Thomas Hickey.  Scott Mayfield replaced Marek Zidlicky in the lineup. Other injured players: Jaroslav Halak, Mikhail Grabovski, Travis Hamonic., JF Berube, Cal Clutterbuck, Brian Strait and Matt Martin. 

Missing a Piece (or two)

The Isles are 16-16-3 over the last two seasons in games in which they are missing Johnny Boychuk, Travis Hamonic or Nick Leddy, including 8-6-2 this season.  They are 5-4-1, including 2-1-1 this season, when two of the three miss a game.

All-time Islander Leader Boards:

Games Played (skaters)

1.      Bryan Trottier 1123 *** 2. Denis Potvin 1060 *** 3. Bob Nystrom 900

….

11. Stefan Persson 622 *** 12. Frans Nielsen 606 *** 13. Kenny Jonsson 597 *** 14. Garry Howatt 596 *** 15. John Tonelli 594*** 16. Josh Bailey 556 *** 17. Ken Morrow 550 *** 18. Duane Sutter 547 *** 19. Lorne Henning 543 ***20. Claude Lapointe 535 *** 21. Tomas Jonsson 532 *** 22. Pat LaFontaine 530 *** 23. Kyle Okposo 528*** 24. Dave Lewis 514 *** 25. Mick Vukota and John Tavares 510

Goals

1.      Mike Bossy 573 *** 2. Bryan Trottier 500 *** 3. Denis Potvin 310

….

9. Derek King 211 *** 10. John Tavares 207 *** 11. John Tonelli 206

…

16. Mariusz Czerkawski 145 *** 17. Kyle Okposo 139 *** 18. Jason Blake 127 *** 19. Duane Sutter 121 *** 20. Alexei Yashin and Frans Nielsen 119

Assists

1.      Bryan Trottier 853 *** 2. Denis Potvin 742 *** 3. Mike Bossy 553 ***

…

11. Pat LaFontaine 279 *** 12. Bob Nystrom 278 *** 13. John Tavares 264*** 14. Billy Harris 259 *** 15. Tomas Jonsson 249***16. Frans Nielsen 230 *** 17. Kyle Okposo 229

…

25. Ziggy Palffy 163 *** 26. Josh Bailey 157

Points

1.      Bryan Trottier 1353 *** 2. Mike Bossy 1126 *** 3. Denis Potvin 1052

…

10. Derek King 499 *** 11. Pat Flatley 488 *** 12. John Tavares 471***13. Billy Harris 443 ***14. Stefan Persson 369 *** 15. Kyle Okposo 368 *** 16. Frans Nielsen 348

…

24 Jason Blake & Steve Thomas 258 *** 26. Josh Bailey 250

Season Series Stats

The Sabres win the season series two games to one (and four points to three). 

All three games were won by the road team, and all three games were decided by a single goal.

 

On The Farm

Bridgeport's magic number to clinch a playoff spot is 4 after a 6-4 win in Lehigh Valley on Saturday raised their record to 39-26-4-3.

Bridgeport concludes a 3-game in 3-day weekend on Sunday as they host Lehigh Valley at 5pm.

 

Up Next

SUNDAY, APRIL 10^th –PHILADELPHIA AT ISLANDERS 7:00PM

[MSG+ (Isles Pre-game at 6:30), 91.5 WNYE-FM, 88.7 WRHU-FM, 103.9 WRCN]

 

The Isles and Flyers conclude the regular season with a make-up of their January 23^rd snow out.

 

The Flyers clinched a playoff berth on Saturday; they'll begin a series against Washington this week. It's the 5^th meeting of the teams this season; each team has a win and a loss in both New York and Philadelphia, with the Isles win in Philly coming in a shootout.

 

The game will also be seen on NBCSN outside the New York area, and on SportsNet in Canada.

 

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 & on his blog http://www.nyiskinny.com./

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