"The Skinny"
By Eric Hornick
Game 55
Toronto 7, Isles 1
Auston Matthews scored two goals to lead a balanced Leafs attack as Toronto handed the Isles their most one-sided loss of the season, defeating the Islanders 7-1 before a sellout crowd of 18.956 at Air Canada Centre.
Jason Chimera converted his 2nd career penalty shot for the only Islander goal.
The Islanders fall to 8-3-2 under Interim Coach Doug Weight. It's only the third Leaf win in their last nine games (3-4-2).
With the loss the Isles fell three points behind the Leafs for the 2nd wild card spot. Each team has 27 games to play.
The Scoring:
1ST PERIOD
11:36 Toronto Josh Leivo (1) 0-1
19:28 Toronto Nazem Kadri (21) ASST: Nikita Zaitsev (24), William Nylander (23) 0-2
2ND PERIOD
09:26 Toronto William Nylander (15) ASST: Nazem Kadri (21), Roman Polak (3) 0-3
16:55 New York Penalty Shot - Jason Chimera (14) 1-3
3RD PERIOD
05:41 Toronto PPG - Auston Matthews (26) ASST: Leo Komarov (9), Josh Leivo (1) 1-4
07:16 Toronto Tyler Bozak (14) ASST: James van Riemsdyk (25), Mitchell Marner (33) 1-5
11:51 Toronto Auston Matthews (27) ASST: Connor Brown (12) 1-6
15:40 Toronto Matt Hunwick (1) ASST: Josh Leivo (2), Ben Smith (2) 1-7
The Skinny:
The Isles have allowed the first goal in four straight games (2-2-0) … Jason Chimera also converted his previous penalty shot attempt (11/26/2011 at Buffalo) and has now scored nine goals in his last 16 games (matching John Tavares for the club lead in that span)… Chimera was the first Islander to attempt a penalty shot this season; shooters are now 11-29(38%); it was the first Isles' penalty shot goal in five attempts vs. Toronto in regular season play – Shawn Bates scored in the playoffs…Matt Hunwick's goal was his 1st in his last 50 games (2/27/16 vs Montreal)…Auston Matthews recorded his 4th multi-goal game (and first since New Year's Day). His 27 goals are the most for a Leafs rookie since Daniel Marois in 1988-89…Since opening the season 6-10-4, Isles are 19-10-6 in their last 35 games…The Leafs scored 7 goals for the first time since December 21, 2015 (at Colorado); it's the first time that they have scored 7 goals at home since December 14, 2013 (vs. Chicago).
Home is Where the Heart Is
The Isles have earned points in their last nine home games (7-0-2). It's the first time that they have earned points in nine straight home games since 2013, when they went 7-0-3 in a 10-game stretch, but over two seasons.
The last time that the Isles had a point streak of nine home games in a single season was in 2003-04, when they earned points in nine straight games (1/17-2/24/04 – 6-0-3).
Only once in the Post-Cup era have the Isles earned points in 10 straight home games in a single season. That happened in the 1989-90 season, when the Isles went 9-0-1 between December 16, 1989 and January 28, 1990.
Most Goals Since November 23rd
1. Max Pacioretty 24
2. Auston Matthews 21
3. Anders Lee/Cam Atkinson/Jeff Carter 20
Best Records since December 20th
1. Capitals 20-3-3 (.827)
2. Wild 19-4-2 (.800)
3. Penguins 15-6-2 (.696)
4. Sharks 15-6-4 (.680)
5. Isles 14-6-4 (.667)
6. Leafs 14-6-4 (.667)
Best Penalty Kill Since December 20th
1. ISLES 87.3%
2. Anaheim 86.9%
3. Ottawa 86.2%
Best Power Play Since January 21st
1. Capitals 35.5%
2. Bruins 32.4%
3. Devils 31.0%
4. Canucks 29.2%
5. Blackhawks 29.2%
6. ISLES 27.0%
Playoff Chase:
| Metropolitan | GP | PTS | ||||
| 1. Washington | 56 | 84 | ||||
| 2. Pittsburgh | 55 | 77 | ||||
| 3. Columbus | 55 | 75 | ||||
| Atlantic | GP | PTS | ||||
| 1. Montréal | 58 | 70 | ||||
| 2. Ottawa | 54 | 64 | ||||
| 3. Boston | 58 | 64 | ||||
| | | | ||||
| Wild Card | GP | PTS | ||||
| 1. NY Rangers | 56 | 75 | ||||
| 2. Toronto | 55 | 63 | ||||
| 3. Philadelphia | 56 | 61 | ||||
| 4. NY Islanders | 54 | 60 | ||||
| 5. Florida | 54 | 58 | ||||
| 6. New Jersey | 56 | 58 | ||||
| 7. Buffalo | 57 | 58 | ||||
| 8. Tampa Bay | 56 | 57 | ||||
| 9. Carolina | 54 | 55 | ||||
| 10. Detroit | 56 | 54 | ||||
Last 24
The Isles are now 14-6-4 in their last 24 games (since December 20th vs. Boston). In those games, the PP is 15-76(19.7%) and the penalty kill is 7-55 (87.3%). The Isles have had 21 more power plays than their opponents over that span, which is the best differential in the NHL; the 55 times short is the fewest in the NHL over that span.
#1 is #1 (aka The Greiss is Right)
Thomas Greiss has started 17 of the last 20 games (9-5-3) and 19 of the last 25 games (11-5-3). He has allowed two goals or less in 13 of his last 19 games.
50-50 to Begin February
The Isles are beginning February with a 10 game stretch that features five home games and five road games, all in a span of 17 days. The Isles are 3-3-1 in this stretch (2-0-1 at home and 1-3-0 on the road).
2/3 at Red Wings (Lost 4-5)
2/4 vs. Hurricanes (Lost 4-5 OT)
2/6 vs. Maple Leafs (Won 6-5 OT)
2/9 at Flyers (Won 3-1)
2/11 at Senators (Lost 3-0)
2/12 vs. Avalanche (Won 5-1)
2/14 at Maple Leafs (Lost 7-1)
2/16 vs. Rangers
2/18 at Devils
2/19 vs. Devils
The Isles play 22 of their final 34 on the road and do not have a homestand longer than two games. Following this 10-game stretch the Isles will play nine straight road games for the first time in franchise history.
The Shots
Isles 12-16-6=34
Toronto 10-11-20=41
The Isles are 13-6-4 when they outshoot their opponents and 2-2-0 when the shots are even but are 10-13-5 when they are outshot.
Home and Road
The Islanders are 25-20-10 overall; 18-8-6 at home and 7-12-4 on the road.
Toronto is 26-18-11 overall; 14-9-4 at home and 12-9-7 on the road.
By Division & Conference
The Isles are 7-6-4 in Division games and 18-14-6 in games versus other divisions (7-9-3 vs. Atlantic, 5-2-1 vs. Central and 6-3-2 vs. Pacific). The Isles are 14-15-7 against the East and 11-5-3 against the West.
In the Nets
Thomas Greiss made 28 saves before being replaced after the Leafs' sixth goal. Greiss is 17-10-3 on the season and 4-2-1 in his career against Toronto. Jean-Francois Berube made 6 saves in relief.
Fredric Andersen made 33 saves for his 100th career win. Anderson is 23-12-10 on the season and 3-1-1 in his career against the Isles.
Power Plays
The Isles went 0-4 on the power play, while Toronto was 1-3.
The Isles are 11-6-6 when they score at least one power play goal and 14-14-4 when they do not. The Isles are 8-10-5 when they allow at least one power play goal and 17-10-5 when they do not.
Three is a Magic Number
The Isles are 24-5-3 when they score at least three goals (including shootout winners) and are 1-15-7 when they do not.
One Goal Games
The Isles are 8-7-10 in games decided by a single goal including 4-7-0 in regulation. They are 3-7 in games decided in overtime and are 1-3 in shootouts. The Isles are 3-1 in games in which an empty-net goal turns a 1 goal game into a 2-goal game (including one game that they allowed a goal after scoring an empty-netter).
First Goal
The Isles are 18-6-6 when they score first and are 7-14-4 when they allow the opening goal.
Back-to-Backs
The Isles are 4-5-1 on the front-end of back-to-backs and 3-3-4 on the back-end. Today's win ended an 0-1-4 stretch in the back-ends.
The Isles will play 16 sets of back-to-backs this season. The next back-to-back set is a home-and-home series with New Jersey on Saturday and Sunday.
Tired vs. Rested
· The Isles are 2-1-3 when both teams played the night before.
· The Isles are 5-3-2 when they are rested and their opponents are not.
· The Isles are 1-2-1 when their opponents are rested and the Isles are not.
· The Isles are 17-14-4 when both teams are rested.
Ice-time Leaders
Isles: Nick Leddy (23:17); Toronto: Jake Gardiner (21:28)
Isles record by ice-time leaders: Travis Hamonic (5-0-0), Nick Leddy (11-15-8), John Tavares (2-1-0), Johnny Boychuk (5-4-1), Dennis Seidenberg (1-0-1), Calvin de Haan (1-0-0)
John Tavares led the Isles forwards with 22:48 of ice-time. Isles record by Forward ice-time leaders: John Tavares (18-12-8), Josh Bailey (4-5-2), Casey Cizikas (1-0-0), Cal Clutterbuck (0-1-0), Brock Nelson (1-2-0), Shane Prince (1-0-0).
Face-offs
Isles 22, Toronto 38 (37%).
No Islander won more than he lost; Tyler Bozak won 10 of 12 for Toronto.
Face-offs by period: 1st period- 6/17; 2nd period 9/20; 3rd period 7/23.
Face-offs by strength: Even strength: 18/48; Power play 3/7; Penalty kill 1/5.
Hit Count
Isles 27, Toronto 19. Andrew Ladd led the Isles with four hits; Roman Polak and Leo Komarov had three for Toronto.
Fights
Ryan Strome fought Connor Carrick in the third period. Season total – 10: (Hamonic 3, Strome 2, Boychuk 1, Chimera 1, deHaan 1, Mayfield 1, Hickey 1).
Blocked Shots
The Isles were credited with 8 blocked shots, including three from Thomas Hickey and Johnny Boychuk.
For the Corsi Crowd
All situations: Isles 56, Toronto 67 (including 26-11 Leafs in the final 17 minutes)
5on-5 Isles 39, Toronto 54
5-on 5 leaders:
Isles: John Tavares +6; John Tavares 63%
Toronto: Connor Carrick +14
Ironmen
Jason Chimera – 161 (9ncluding 106 for the Capitals); Josh Bailey 122
Scratches
Scott Mayfield, Shane Prince (injured), Cal Clutterbuck (injured)
Injured Reserve: Travis Hamonic
Total games lost: 103
All-time Islander Leader Boards:
Games Played (skaters)
1. Bryan Trottier 1123 *** 2. Denis Potvin 1060 *** 3. Bob Nystrom 900
….
10. Billy Harris 623 *** 11. Stefan Persson 622 *** 12. Josh Bailey 612
…
15 Garry Howatt 596 *** 16. John Tonelli 594 *** 17. John Tavares 565
Goals
1. Mike Bossy 573 *** 2. Bryan Trottier 500 *** 3. Denis Potvin 310
…
7. Bob Bourne 238 *** 8. Bob Nystrom 235 **** 9. John Tavares 227
…
25. Ray Ferraro 116 *** 26. Ed Westfall and Benoit Hogue 105 *** 28. Josh Bailey 104
Assists
1. Bryan Trottier 853 *** 2. Denis Potvin 742 *** 3. Mike Bossy 553
…
8. Stefan Persson 317 *** 9. Bob Bourne 304 *** 10. John Tavares 290
…
16. Frans Nielson and Kyle Okposo 230 *** 18. Pierre Turgeon 193 *** 19. Josh Bailey 184
Points
1. Bryan Trottier 1353 *** 2. Mike Bossy 1126 *** 3. Denis Potvin 1052
…
6. Pat LaFontaine 566 *** 7. John Tonelli 544 *** 8. Bob Bourne 542 *** 9. John Tavares 517
…
20. Mariusz Czerkawski 295 *** 21. Duane Sutter 292 *** 22. Alexei Yashin 290 *** 23. Josh Bailey 288
Late Heroes
The Isles have scored three times in the final two minutes of regulation to either tie or win a game:
· 11/25 – SJ Sharks -- Nick Leddy (19:02); tied game, but Isles lost in regulation
· 11/30 – Pit Penguins – Anders Lee (19:33); Game Winning goal
· 2/6 – Tor Maple Leafs – Andrew Ladd (18:31); Isles won in overtime
Fit to Be Tied
The Isles have allowed the final goal of regulation in 10 of their 14 games that have gone to overtime this season, including three in the final minute:
· 10/16 – Ana Ducks – Ryan Getzlaf (19:00); Isles won in OT
· 11/3 – Phi Flyers – Jakob Voracek (19:02/PP); Flyers won in SO
· 11/12 – Fla Panthers – Jonathan Marchessault (19:46); Panthers won in OT
Late Losses
The Isles have been tied in the third period in 12 of their 20 regulation losses (and 22 of their 30 overall losses) but have allowed the lead goal in the final 3 minutes of regulation seven times (including one game they rallied to win):
· 10/18 – SJ Sharks - Joe Pavelski (17:49)
· 10/26 – Mtl Canadiens - Shea Weber (17:03)
· 10/27 – Pit Penguins - Sidney Crosby (17:35)
· 11/23 – LA Kings – Dwight King (17:07)
· 11/25 – SJ Sharks – Patrick Marleau (19:37)
· 2/3 – Det Red Wings – Danny DeKeyser (19:32)
· 2/6 – Tor Maple Leafs – Michael Nylander (17:59) (Isles won game in OT)
Season Series Stats
The teams win the season series two games to one (and four point to three)
The loss stops Islander 4 game point streaks both in Toronto (3-0-1) and overall vs. the Leafs (also 3-0-1). It's the first time since October 11, 2007 that the Leafs have beaten the Isles by more than 3 goals.
On The Farm
The Sound Tigers are flying high, following a 3-win-in-3-day weekend. Bridgeport improved to 30-16-1-1 with the wins; Jaroslav Halak set a club record by extending his winning streak to 10 straight games.
Bracken Kearns leads the Sound Tigers in goals (17) and points (17-22-39). Rookie Devon Toews leads the team with 24 assists. Pulock leads the defense with 10 goals (10-12-22 in only 27 games) and tied for the AHL defense lead with 4 game-winning goals (all in the last 2½ weeks). Halak leads the team in wins (11-1-2).
The Sound Tigers begin another 3-in-3 weekend on Friday in Rochester, before traveling to Albany on Saturday. Bridgeport returns home to host Hershey on Sunday at 3pm.
Up Next
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16th –RANGERS AT ISLANDERS– 7:00PM
[MSG+2 (Isles Game Night begins at 6:30), WNYM 970AM, 88.7 WRHU-FM, 103.9 WRCN]
For the first time in over two months, it will be Islanders-Rangers as the Blue Shirts visit Brooklyn.
It's the third meeting of the teams this season; the Rangers beat the Isles 5-3 on Opening Night in Manhattan before the Isles rebounded for a 4-2 win in December.
The Rangers are a perfect 6-0-0 in February while the Isles will be looking to earn a point for the 10th straight game at home, which would match a team high for the Post-Cup era.
The teams have met three previous times in Brooklyn, and the Isles have emerged victorious all three times, including once in a shootout.
Eric Hornick has been the statistician on Islander home game telecasts since January 21, 1982. Information contained in "The Skinny" has been gathered from various sources. Follow Eric @ehornick on Twitter & on his blog 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
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