The Skinny: Isles 5, Tampa Bay 3

"The Skinny"

By Eric Hornick

Game 19

Isles 5, Tampa Bay 3

Anders Lee scored two goals to help the Isles build a 4-0 lead and Thomas Greiss made 36 saves as the Isles held off a fierce Lightning rally to defeat Tampa Bay 5-3 before a sellout crowd of 19,092 at Amalie Arena in Tampa.

The Isles are 9-3-1 in their last 13 games. They have won three straight games, all with Greiss in goal, and have closed within one point of the Metropolitan Division lead.

The Scoring:

1ST PERIOD

00:51 New York Andrew Ladd (4) ASST: John Tavares (7), Joshua Ho-Sang (5) 1-0

10:25 New York Anders Lee (10) ASST: John Tavares (8), Josh Bailey (17) 2-0

2ND PERIOD

07:09 New York Brock Nelson (6) ASST: Jason Chimera (3), Adam Pelech (6) 3-0

3RD PERIOD

01:05 New York PPG - Anders Lee (11) ASST: Josh Bailey (18), Mathew Barzal (14) 4-0

03:13 Tampa Bay Yanni Gourde (5) ASST: Brayden Point (11), Slater Koekkoek (2) 4-1

03:26 Tampa Bay Ondrej Palat (5) ASST: Brayden Point (12), Andrei Vasilevskiy (1) 4-2

16:24 Tampa Bay Yanni Gourde (6) ASST: Ondrej Palat (7), Dan Girardi (4) 4-3

19:38 New York EN - John Tavares (14) ASST: Casey Cizikas (4), Josh Bailey (19) 5-3

The Skinny: 

The Isles scored the first goal for the third straight game; the Isles are 7-0-0 when they score first, 7-0-0 when they lead after one period, and 9-0-0 when they lead after two periods…Andrew Ladd's goal was the earliest for the Isles this season and the first in the opening minute since Adam Pelech did so vs. Winnipeg last March… The Isles have scored at least five goals nine times in the first 19 games for the first time since the 1984-85 season, when they did so 13 times…Both John Tavares (1-2-3) and Josh Bailey (0-3-3) had three-point games; it was Tavares' 249th NHL goal… Anders Lee recorded his 16th career 2-goal game.  It was his first two-goal game against Jon Cooper, who coached Lee in the USHL… The Isles have scored at least two first period goals in three consecutive games for the first time since February, 2015…Anders Lee now had 12 points in the third period this season, tying Steven Stamkos for the NHL lead… The Isles have scored 71 goals in their first 19 games; it's their highest goal total through 19 games in 30 years (83 in 1987-88)…The Isles had the game's first six shots, but didn't have a shot on goal for the remainder of the first period after Anders Lee's goal…The Lightning have sold out their last 120 home games…Andrei Vasilevskiy suffered his first regulation loss since October 7 (13-0-1)..Yanni Gourde's first goal ended a 64:05 shutout streak for Thomas Greiss, during which the Isles had scored seven times…Brock Nelson scores his first goal in 10 games; Jason Chimera assisted on the tally for his first point since October 9th…The Isles are 11-6-2 this season; they won only 11 of their first 31 games last season (11-14-6)…The Isles allowed three 2nd period goals on Thursday and three 3rd period goals in this game, both wins.  Prior to Thursday, the Isles had gone 0-15-1 in the last 16 games they allowed three goals in a period.

3 For 3 For 12

Josh Bailey recorded his third 3-assist game of the season; Blake Wheeler is the only other NHL player with three 3-assist games this season. It's the fifth time in the last 24 seasons that an Islander has three 3 games with at least 3 assists (Pat LaFontaine -2x, Jeff Norton, John Tavares). Vladimir Malakhov is the last Islander with four 3-assist games in a season (1993-94).

Bailey now has seven career 3-assist games.  Since 1994-95, only John Tavares (9) and Alexei Yashin (7) have as many in an Islander uniform.

S-A-T-U-R-D-A-Y NIGHT

The Isles improve to 6-0-0 on Saturdays; it's the first time since 2006 that they have won six straight on Saturday.

First Time in a Ridiculously Long Time

The Isles have scored at least five goals in three straight games.  It's the first time (excluding shootout tallies) that they have done this since January 30- February 4, 1996.

Moving up the NHL Leader Boards (does not include late games)

• John Tavares (22 points), Josh Bailey (23) and Anders Lee (21) are all now in the top 20 in points

• John Tavares remains 2nd in goals (14)

• Anders Lee is tied-7th in goals (11)

• Josh Bailey is now 5th in assists with 19 and leads the team with 23 points (4-19-23)

• Mathew Barzal is now tied-1st in rookie points:18 (with Arizona's Clayton Keller) and is tied-1st in rookie assists:14 (with NJ's Will Butcher)

Greiss, Greiss, Baby

Thomas Greiss improves to 6-2-2 on the season (6-1-2 in his last 9 games).  Greiss has won three straight and is his 4-0-1 in his last 5 games.

Facing 35

Greiss improves to 4-0-1 this season when facing at least 35 shots.  He is 15-4-7 as an Islander and 25-8-9 in his career when facing 35 or more.

Fastest to 35

Doug Weight is now 35-18-6 as an NHL coach. On November 18 in Tampa Bay, he reached 35 wins faster than any coach in Islander history:

Fewest Games to 35 Wins by an Islander Coach:

59 – Doug Weight

71 – Peter Laviolette 2001-02 (35-25-7-4)

73 – Ted Nolan 2006-07 (35-27-11)

76—Steve Stirling 2003-04 (35-27-10-4)

60 Over (NHL) .500

The Isles are now 1549-1489-481 all-time, making their record 60 games over NHL-.500.  The last time the Isles were 60 games over was on November 28, 1999 when a 2-1 win over Boston raised their record to 958-898-304.  A couple of current NHL players probably remember that game: Zdeno Chara scored the winning goal and Roberto Luongo made 43 saves in his NHL debut.

 

The Shots

Isles            10-14-8=32

Tampa Bay 12-13-14=39

The Isles are 2-2-2 when they outshoot their opponents, 0-1-0 when the shots are even, and 9-3-0 when they are outshot.

Offside Challenges

The Isles have challenged twice and been successful once.

10/10 vs STL Blues – unsuccessful; Isles killed ensuing power play.

10/12 @ Ana Ducks -- successful

The opponents have not challenged an Islander goal due to an offside so far this season.

Busy Stretch

This was the second game of a stretch in which the Isles will play 6 games in 10 days, changing cities between each game and playing two sets of three games in four days, with the four road games being played in two sets of back-to-backs.  The Isles are 2-0-0 in this stretch.

Home and Road

The Islanders are 11-6-2 overall; 6-0-2 at home and 5-6-0 on the road.  

Tampa Bay is 15-3-2 overall; 8-2-1 at home and 7-1-1 on the road.  

By Division & Conference

The Isles are 2-2-0 in Division games and 9-4-2 in games versus other divisions.   The Isles are 4-2-0 against the East and 7-4-2 against the West.

Our House

The Isles are 6-0-2 at home, matching their best home start since 1978-79 (7-0-1).  

The Isles are 4-0-2 vs. the Western Conference at Barclays Center this season and are 25-4-5 all-time at Barclays against the West.

Most Points Through 8 Home Games

15- 1978-79

14- 2017-18

14- 1986-87

14-1984-85

14- 1982-83

14- 1976-77

If the Islanders can beat Philadelphia on Wednesday they will match their best-ever record through 9 home games (7-0-2 in 1978-79 and 8-1-0 in 1984-85).

In the Nets

Thomas Greiss made 36 saves as he improves to 6-2-2 on the season and 4-2-0 in his career against Tampa Bay.

Andrei Vasilevskiy made 27 saves but falls to 14-2-1 on the season and 2-2-0 in his career against the Isles. 

Power Plays

The Isles were 1-2 on the power play; Tampa Bay was 0-1.  

The Isles are 7-1-0 when they score at least one power play goal and 4-5-2 when they do not.  The Isles are 6-3-0 when they allow at least one power play goal and 5-3-2 when they do not.    

Three is a Magic Number

The Isles are 11-2-0 when they score at least three goals (including shootout winners) and are 0-4-2 when they do not.  

One Goal Games

The Isles are 1-3-2 in games decided by a single goal including 0-3 in regulation. They are 0-1 in games decided in overtime and are 1-1 in shootouts.  The Isles are 4-0 in games in which an empty-net goal turns a 1 goal game into a 2-goal game.

First Goal 

The Isles are 7-0-0 when they score first and are 4-6-2 when they allow the opening goal. 

Back-to-Backs

Including tonight, the Isles are 2-2-0 on the front-end of back-to-backs and 2-1-0 on the back-end.  This back-to-back sets concludes Sunday in Carolina; the next back-to-back set is November 24th in Philadelphia and November 25th in Ottawa.

Tired vs. Rested

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

• The Isles are 3-0-0 when they are rested, and their opponents are not. 

• The Isles are 2-0-0 when their opponents are rested, and the Isles are not.

• The Isles are 6-5-2 when both teams are rested. 

Ice-time Leaders

Isles: Nick Leddy (23:17); Tampa Bay: Victor Hedman (24:42)

Isles record by ice-time leaders: Johnny Boychuk (3-1-1), Nick Leddy (5-4-0), John Tavares (1-1-0), Calvin deHaan (2-0-0).

John Tavares led the forwards in ice-time (18:47). Isles record by Forward ice-time leaders: John Tavares (11-5-2), Brock Nelson (0-1-0).

Face-offs

Isles 23, Tampa Bay 31 (43%). 

Casey Cizikas won 11 of 20 for the Isles but his teammates won only 12 of 34; Brayden Point won 13 of 18 for Tampa Bay.

Face-offs by period: 1st period 6/18; 2nd period 6/16; 3rd period 11/20.

Face-offs by strength: Even strength: 21/47; Power play 1/3; Penalty kill 1/4.

Hit Count

Isles 23 (Five players with 3) 

Tampa Bay 24 (Ryan Callahan-5)

Fights

There were no fights. Season total – 2: (Boychuk 1, Mayfield 1).

Blocked Shots

The Isles blocked 17 shots; Calvin deHaan led the way with 4. 

For the Corsi Crowd 

All situations: Isles 56, Tampa Bay 73

5-on-5 Isles 48, Tampa Bay 61

5-on-5 leaders:

Isles: Brock Nelson +5

Tampa Bay: Vladislav Namestnikov +17

Night and Day 

The Isles are 11-6-1 in night games and 0-0-1 in matinees.  The Isles, who went 2-3-1 in matinees last season, will play six matinees this season.

Ironmen

Jason Chimera – 207 (including 106 for the Capitals); Jordan Eberle 170 (including 151 for the Oilers), Josh Bailey 168, Calvin deHaan 104, 

Scratches

(Nikolay Kulemin -IR), (Shane Prince-IR), Scott Mayfield, Dennis Seidenberg, Cal Clutterbuck (sick)

Total games lost: 42

Late Hero

The Isles have scored once in the final minute of regulation to either tie or win a game:

10/9 – STL Blues – Anders Lee (19:00); tied game, but Isles lost in shootout

7-11

The Isles have used 7 defensemen twice this season (10/19 @NYR, 10/21 vs SJ) and are 2-0-0 in those games.  Under Doug Weight, the Isles are 6-0-0 when they dress seven natural defensemen.

All-time Islander Leader Boards:

Games Played (skaters)

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

…

7.  Patrick Flatley 712 *** Brent Sutter 694 *** 9. Josh Bailey 658 *** 10. Derek King 638 *** 11. Billy Harris 623 *** 12. Stefan Persson 622 *** 13. Frans Nielsen and. John Tavares 606

Goals

1. Mike Bossy 573 *** 2. Bryan Trottier 500 *** 3. Denis Potvin 310 *** 4. Clark Gillies 304***

5. Pat LaFontaine and Brent Sutter 287 *** 7. John Tavares 249

…

22.  Mark Parrish, Matt Moulson and Steve Thomas 118 *** 25. Ray Ferraro 116 *** 26. Josh Bailey 110

…

31. Mikko Makela, David Volek and Anders Lee 95

Assists

1. Bryan Trottier 853 *** 2. Denis Potvin 742 *** 3. Mike Bossy 553*** 4. Clark Gillies 359***

5. John Tonelli 338 *** 6. Patrick Flatley 328 *** 7. Brent Sutter 323 *** 8. Stefan Persson 317 *** 9. John Tavares 310

…

15. Tomas Jonsson 249 *** 16. Frans Nielsen and Kyle Okposo 230 ***18. Josh Bailey 219

Points

1. Bryan Trottier 1353 *** 2. Mike Bossy 1126 *** 3. Denis Potvin 1052 *** 4. Clark Gillies 663 ***

5. Brent Sutter 610 *** 6. Pat LaFontaine 566 *** 7. John Tavares 559

…

17. Pierre Turgeon 340 *** 18. Tomas Jonsson 333 *** 19. Ziggy Palffy 331 *** 20. Josh Bailey 329

Games Played (Goalies)

1. Billy Smith 674 *** 2. Rick DiPietro 318 *** 3. Glenn Resch 282

…

6. Glenn Healy 176 *** 7. Roland Melanson 136 *** 8. Jaroslav Halak 133

…

11.  Evgeni Nabokov 123 *** 12. Chris Osgood 103 *** 13. Thomas Greiss 102

Wins (Goalie)

1. Billy Smith 304 *** 2. Glenn Resch 157 *** 3. Rick DiPietro 130***4. Kelly Hrudey 106 *** 5. Rollie Melanson 77 *** 6. Jaroslav Halak 73

…

8.  Tommy Salo 62… 9. Evgeni Nabokov 57…10. Thomas Greiss 55

Season Series Stats

The Isles lead the season series one game to none (and two points to 0).  The teams will meet again on December 5 in Tampa Bay before concluding their season series in Brooklyn on March 22nd.

While the Lightning swept last season's series, the Isles are 9-5-2 in the last 16 regular season games against the Bolts.

 

On the Farm

Bridgeport is 8-7-0-0 following a 5-2 win over Charlotte on Saturday.  Devon Toews scored his third goal in the last two games while fellow Quinnipiac alum Travis St. Denis scored twice. Christopher Gibson made 14 saves to improve to 5-4-0 on the season and lower his GAA to 2.12.

 

Tanner Fritz, added an assist as he continues to lead Bridgeport with 15 points (3-12-15); Scott Eansor and Steve Bernier lead the team in goals with 7.

Bridgeport hosts Springfield on Sunday (3pm).

 

Up Next

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 19th –ISLANDERS AT CAROLINA 5:00PM 

[MSG+ (Islanders pre-game at 46:30PM), WNYM 970AM, 88.7 WRHU-FM, WRCN 103.9PM]

The Isles conclude the back-to-back set, and the road trip, with their second matchup of the week with the Carolina Hurricanes.  The Isles scored three third period goals on Thursday to rally for a 6-4 win; it was their third straight win over Carolina, dating back to last season. 

The Isles are only one point behind New Jersey/Columbus/Pittsburgh; all three of those teams are idle on Sunday so the Isles will move into first place in the Metropolitan Division with a victory.

The Isles have had more success against the Canes in Carolina than in New York in recent years.  The Isles are 6-2-0 in their last eight games in Raleigh.

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