The Skinny: Philadelphia 5, Isles 2

"The Skinny"  

By Eric Hornick

 

Game 82

Philadelphia 5, Isles 2

Michael Raffl scored a goal and added two assists to break a 2-2 tie as the Philadelphia Flyers defeated the Isles 5-2 before a crowd of 14,244 at Barclays Center.

 

The Isles did not dress John Tavares, Kyle Okposo, Frans Nielsen, Nick Leddy and Johnny Boychuk and with the loss, they finished in 4^th place in the Metropolitan Division, one point behind the Rangers.

 

The Isles finish the season with an even 100 points and will face the Florida Panthers in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, beginning Thursday night in Sunrise, Florida.

 

The Isles finish the season 6-2-1 in their last nine games.

The Scoring:

1ST PERIOD

05:58    NYI Nikolay Kulemin (9) ASST: Calvin de Haan (13), Ryan Pulock (1)      1 - 0 NYI           

09:19    NYI Matt Martin (10) ASST: Ryan Pulock (2), Calvin de Haan (14)           2 - 0 NYI           

11:15    PHI PPG - Shayne Gostisbehere (17) ASST: Jakub Voracek (44), Brayden Schenn (32)2 - 1 NYI    

19:52    PHI PPG - Evgeny Medvedev (4) ASST: Matt Read (15), Nick Cousins (4)           2 - 2 Tie      

 

2ND PERIOD

06:38    PHI Michael Raffl (13) ASST: Scott Laughton (14), Brayden Schenn (33) 3 - 2 PHI           

 

3RD PERIOD

05:50    PHI Scott Laughton (7) ASST: Michael Raffl (17) 4 - 2 PHI          

11:10    PHI PPG - R.J. Umberger (2) ASST: Michael Raffl (18), Evgeny Medvedev (9) 5 - 2 PHI

 

The Skinny

Nick Leddy and Frans Nielsen missed their first game of the season; no Islander played in all 82 games this season…Ross Johnston made his NHL debut, becoming the 599^th player to appear in both an ECHL and an NHL game…It's the first time since November 1^st vs. Buffalo that the Isles suffered a regulation loss on the back-end of back-to-backs, ending a franchise record 11-game point streak in that situation (8-0-3); the previous record of 10 was accomplished twice, both in the 1970s…Ryan Pulock recorded his first two NHL assists…Matt Martin established a new career high with his 10^th goal of the season…Shayne Gostisbehere became only the third rookie defenseman in the last 30 years to score at least 17 goals… Despite allowing three power play goals, the Isles finished the regular season with an 84.5% penalty kill, the highest since 2003-04 (85.5%)…Eric Boulton, Marek Zidlicky and Steve Bernier all wore "A"'s for the game; Boulton played a career high 15:44.

Finales

The Isles are 22-14-7 all-time in season finales and are 23-13-7 all-time in home finales. 

Greiss Sets Record

Thomas Greiss played the first period and exited the game with a franchise record .925 save percentage.

 

Player                         Season   SA    SV      SV%    MIN 
Thomas Greiss           2015-16    1197 1107   .925    2287 
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

 

Career Years (excluding rookies, and others with limited prior NHL experience)

A number of Isles had career years in 2015-16:

·        Johnny Boychuk matched his career highs in goals (9)  

·        Casey Cizikas established new career highs in assists (21) and points (29)

·        Calvin deHaan established a career high in assists (14) and matched a career high in points (16)

·        Thomas Greiss established new career highs in games (41), minutes (2287) and wins (23).

·        Travis Hamonic matched a career high in goals (5)

·        Thomas Hickey established a new career high in goals (6)

·        Nick Leddy established new career highs in assists (35) and points (40)

·        Anders Lee established a new career high in assists (21))

·        Matt Martin established career highs in goals (10) and points (19) and matched a career high in assists (9)

·        Brock Nelson established a new career high in goals (26)

·        Kyle Okposo matched a career high in assists (42)

 

Leaders:

·        Games: Frans Nielsen, Brock Nelson, Nikolay Kulemin, Nick Leddy, Josh Bailey with 81

·        Goals: John Tavares with 33

·        Assists: Kyle Okposo with 42

·        Points: John Tavares with 70

·        Plus/Minus: Johnny Boychuk with +17

·        Pen Mins: Matt Martin with 119

·        PP Goals: Anders Lee with 8

·        SH Goals: Frans Nielsen and Cal Clutterbuck with 2

·        GW Goals: John Tavares and Cal Clutterbuck with 5

·        OT Goals: Kyle Okposo with 2

·        Shots: John Tavares with 250

·        Shooting Percentage: Cal Clutterbuck with 18.8%

·        Average ice-time: Travis Hamonic with 23:49

·        Face-off Percentages (minimum 300): John Tavares with 54.1%

 

Most Goals by an Islander in the 2000's

·        Jason Blake -40 (2006-07)

·        John Tavares-38 (2014-15)

·        Matt Moulson-36 (2011-12)

·        Miroslav Satan -35 (2005-06)

·        Mariusz Czerkawski-35 (1999-2000)

·        Michael Grabner-34 (2010-11)

·        John Tavares-33 (2015-16)

Comeback Kids

The Isles earned 20 points (7-22-6) 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

 

Final Metropolitan Division Standings (Top 5)

xy Washington 56-18-8=120 points (52 ROW) Lost to Anaheim 2-0

x Pittsburgh     48-26-8=104 points (44 ROW) Idle

x NY Rangers 46-27-9=101 points (43 ROW) Idle

x ISLES         45-27-10=100 points (40 ROW Lost to Philadelphia 5-2

x Philadelphia 41-27-14=96 points (38 ROW) Beat ISLES 5-2

x Clinched Playoff Spot

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

 

 "Home" Stretch

The Isles played six of their final eight games at home this season; it's the first time in franchise history that this has happened.  The Isles went 5-2-1 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 (Lost 5-2)

 

Most Points in The Post-Cup Era

·        101 in 2014-15

·        100 in 2015-16

 

Home Sweet Home

The Isles are 25-11-5 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             7-4-6=17

Philadelphia 9-9-9=27

 

Home and Road

The Islanders are 45-27-10 overall; 25-11-5 at home and 20-16-5 on the road. 

Philadelphia finishes 41-27-14 overall; 23-10-8 at home and 18-17-6 on the road.

 

By Division

The Isles are 18-8-4 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

Thomas Greiss stopped 7 of 9 shots in the first period, as he finished the season with a 23-11-4 record. Christopher Gibson stooped 15 of 18 shots but is charged with his first loss; he is 1-1-1 in his NHL career.

Michal Neuvirth made 15 saves as he improved to 9-4-3 on the season.  Neuvirth is 6-2-1 in his career against the Isles.

Power Plays

The Islanders were 0-4 on the power play, while Philadelphia was 3-4.    The three power play goals against matched a season high (11/20 in Montreal).

The Isles are 27-5-4 when they score at least one power play goal and 18-22-6 when they do not.  The Isles are 13-13-3 when they allow at least one power play goal and 32-14-7 when they do not. 

Three is a Magic Number

The Isles are 37-4-2 when they score at least three goals (including shootout winners) and are 8-23-8 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 29-7-5 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 210-175-56 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 441

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 9-3-3 on the back end of back-to-backs this season.  

 

Tired vs. Rested

·        The Isles are 3-2-0 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: Scott Mayfield (23:15); Philadelphia: Shayne Gostisbehere (21:26)

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), Ryan Pulock (0-0-1), Scott Mayfield (0-1-0) Tied (0-1-0)

Shane Prince led the forwards with 19:30 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), Shane Prince (0-1-0), Tied (1-2-0). 

Face-offs

Isles 27, Philadelphia 20 (57%)

Alan Quine won 9 of 13 for the Isles; Nick Cousins won 7 of 12 for Philadelphia. 

The Isles won 16 of 32 draws over the first two periods, and then won 11 of 15 in the third period.

The Isles won 19 of 34 draws at even strength, 3 of 6 on the power play and 5 of 7 on the penalty kill.

Heavy Hitters

Isles 17, Buffalo 6.  Ross Johnston led the Isles with six 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 11 blocked shots, including three by Alan Quine.

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 33, Philadelphia 47.

5-on-5: Isles 27, Philadelphia 33

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

Matt Martin led the Isles with a +4 5-on-5 Corsi rating and a 61% Corsi For percentage. Nick Cousins led Philadelphia with a +8 5-on-5 Corsi rating.

Ironmen

While 5 Islanders played the first 79 games, none played all 82.  Josh Bailey ends the season with the longest current streak having played the last 67 games.

 

Missing Men

Nick Leddy

Travis Hamonic

Kyle Okposo

Anders Lee

Brian Strait

Frans Nielsen

Casey Cizikas

Johnny Boychuk

Mikhail Grabovski

John Tavares

Jean-Francois Berube

Jaroslav Halak

Missing a Piece (or two)

The Isles are 16-17-3 over the last two seasons in games in which they are missing Johnny Boychuk, Travis Hamonic or Nick Leddy, including 8-7-2 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 557 *** 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 529*** 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 and Kyle Okposo 230

…

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 and Kyle Okposo 369 *** 16. Frans Nielsen 349

…

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

Season Series Stats

The Flyers win the season series three games to two (and seven points to four). 

After the Isles won the first two games, Philadelphia won the last three games by a 13-3 combined score.

 

On The Farm

Bridgeport's magic number to clinch a playoff spot is 2 despite a 4-1 loss to Lehigh Valley on Sunday lowered their record to 39-27-4-3.

 

Bridgeport, who will get back Alan Quine, Bracken Kearns and Ross Johnston for practice this week, will conclude their regular season with a 3-game in 3-day weekend beginning Friday in Portland.

Up Next

THE PLAYOFFS

ISLANDERS VS PANTHERS

GAME 1: THURSDAY, APRIL 14^th – ISLANDERS AT FLORIDA 8:00PM

[MSG+ (Isles Pre-game at 7:30), 91.5 WNYE-FM, 88.7 WRHU-FM, 103.9 WRCN]

 

GAME 2: FRIDAY, APRIL 15^th – ISLANDERS AT FLORIDA 7:30PM

[MSG+ (Isles Pre-game at 7:00), 91.5 WNYE-FM, 88.7 WRHU-FM, 103.9 WRCN]

 

GAME 3: SUNDAY, APRIL 17^th – FLORIDA AT ISLANDERS  8:00PM

[MSG+ (Isles Pre-game at 7:30), 91.5 WNYE-FM, 88.7 WRHU-FM, 103.9 WRCN]

 

GAME 4: WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20^th – FLORIDA AT ISLANDERS  8:00PM

[MSG+ (Isles Pre-game at 7:30), 91.5 WNYE-FM, 88.7 WRHU-FM, 103.9 WRCN]

 

GAME 5: IF NECESSARY: FRIDAY, APRIL 22ND – AT FLORIDA Time TBD

GAME 6: IF NECESSARY: SUNDAY, APRIL 24TH – AT ISLANDERS Time TBD

GAME 7: IF NECESSARY: TUESDAY, APRIL 26^TH – AT FLORIDA Time TBD

 

Neither the Isles nor the Florida Panthers have won a playoff series in two decades, but that will change over the next two weeks as the teams meet in the playoffs for the first time.

 

The Isles last won a playoff series in 1993, when they defeated the Pittsburgh Penguins in the Patrick Division Final. Among the Penguins on that team: Jaromir Jagr.   Florida has won three playoff series in their history, all in 1996, when they advanced to the Stanley Cup Final before losing to Colorado.

 

All playoff games are also broadcast nationally in both the United States and Canada; however, in the NY-area, the only place to get Games 1-5 and 7 (and possibly game 6 as well) will be on MSG+ (Check listings for specific channels).

 

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