The Skinny: Isles 5, Vancouver 2

"The Skinny"

By Eric Hornick

Game 24

Isles 5, Vancouver 2

Calvin deHaan and Jordan Eberle scored 60 seconds apart late in the first period to break a 1-1 tie as the Islanders stretched their winning streak to four games and their home point streak to 10 games (8-0-2) with a 5-2 victory over Vancouver before a crowd of 11,194 at Barclays Center.  

It was the third goal in as many games for Eberle, and the 400th point of his NHL career.  All ten of Eberle's goals have come in the last 14 games.

The Scoring:

1ST PERIOD

05:23 New York SHG - Andrew Ladd (6) ASST: Adam Pelech (8), John Tavares (12) 1-0

06:25 Vancouver PPG - Thomas Vanek (6) ASST: Loui Eriksson (6), Sam Gagner (7) 1-1

16:42 New York Calvin de Haan (1) ASST: Joshua Ho-Sang (8), Alan Quine (2) 2-1

17:42 New York Jordan Eberle (10) ASST: Mathew Barzal (18), Johnny Boychuk (5) 3-1

2ND PERIOD

03:46 New York Anders Lee (13)     4-1

06:33 Vancouver SHG - Bo Horvat (10) ASST: Christopher Tanev (4) 4-2

3RD PERIOD

13:35 New York John Tavares (16) ASST: Anders Lee (12), Adam Pelech (9) 5-2

The Skinny: 

The Isles scored the first goal for the 10th time in 24 games (10-0-0) and also remain perfect in games they lead after one period (9-0-0) and after two periods (11-0-0) … The Isles failed to score a power play goal for the first time in seven games … John Tavares' two points (15-13-28) ties him for the team point lead with Josh Bailey (5-23-28). …  Mathew Barzal's assist extended his point streak to seven games; he now has 24 points, which leads all NHL rookies (Vancouver's Brock Boeser has 22) …An Islander defenseman has earned a point on 15 of the team's last 17 goals.… Barzal's 18 assists are already the most by an Islander rookie since 2010-11 (Travis Hamonic 21, Michael Grabner 18)… Jaroslav Halak recorded his 75th victory as an Islander (6th all-time) as he played in his 136th Isles game (tying Roland Melanson for 7th place)…Adam Pelech's two assists give him 9 points, which is second among Islander defensemen….Daniel Sedin played in his 1,250th game…The Isles have won 7 out of 8 games for the first time since November 28-December 13, 2015 (7-0-1) …Nine of Tavares' goals have come into the third period; that leads the NHL in that category…With their goals tonight, John Tavares are on pace to combine for 100 goals this season (56 for Tavares and 44 for Lee); Jason Blake is the only Islander to score 40 goals in a season in the last 20 years…Despite missing 10 games this season, Joshua Ho-Sang has moved into the top 20 in rookie scoring and the top 10 in rookie assists.

It's Still Early But…

The Isles spent about 5 minutes this evening in first place in the Metropolitan Division (tied with New Jersey in points, but with more ROWs).  When Columbus won their shootout, the Jackets moved into 1st place, one point ahead of both the Isles and Devils.

Five's Alive

The Isles have scored at least five goals in seven of their eight home wins this season (all but the 4-3 OT win vs. the Flyers on November 22nd) and in 11 games overall (all wins).  The Isles scored five goals (including shootout winners) in only 10 games all last season.

The Isles have won 37 straight games when scoring 5+ goals, and are 90-1-0 in their last 91 when scoring at least five.

First Things First

The Isles have scored first nine times this season (10-0-0).  It's the first time that the Isles have won at least ten straight games (single season) that they scored first since December 16, 2010 – February 21, 2011 (11-0-0).

The Isles also won the last 5 games that they scored first last season, giving them a franchise-record 15 straight wins when the Isles score first.  The Isles won 14 straight games when scoring first between January 4 – February 25, 1982, including in 12 games of their 15-game winning streak.

The Streaking Barzal

Mathew Barzal finished the month as hot as he started it.  Barzal became the first Islander rookie since Kyle Okposo (8 games in 2008-09) to record points in at least seven consecutive games. Barzal recorded 14 assists in the month; entering play today no other NHL player had more than 14 assists this month.

You Can't Stop Barzal, Unless You Hook or Hold Him 

Mathew Barzal drew his 12th opposition penalty when Michael Del Zotto tripped him in the first period.  Among rookies, only Nico Hischier (13) has drawn more opposition penalties.

Yet Another Shorty

The Isles allowed their NHL-high eighth shorthanded goal of the season; it's the first time that they have allowed eight shortys in a season since 2007-08, when they allowed 15.  The Isles are now half-way to matching the club record of 16 shortys allowed, set in 1997-98.

A Favorable Comparison

The Isles are 15-7-2 this season; they were 9-10-5 through 24 games last season and won only 15 of their first 39 games last season (15-16-8).  The Isles did not go 8 games over .500 for the first time last season until their 50th game (29-21-10).

Chasing Patty

John Tavares' two points give him 565 points, leaving him just one point behind Pat LaFontaine for 6th place on the all-time Isles list.

Leddy(ing) the Way

Nick Leddy's points streak ended at four games.  With 21 points in 24 games this season, Leddy is averaging .88 points/game.  The last Islander defensemen to have that high of an average was Marc Andre-Bergeron (21 points/ 23 games =.91 in 2006-07).  No Islander defenseman without the surname of Potvin has ever averaged .91 points/game over a full season (Denis did it 10 times and Jean once).

Born in the USA

Anders Lee now has 97 career goals. Only four American-born players have scored 100 goals for the Islanders (Pat LaFontaine-287, Kyle Okposo-139, Jason Blake-127, Mark Parrish-118)

Lots of Wins

Jaroslav Halak recorded his 219th career win, passing Arturs Irbe and tying John Ross Roach for 69th place on the all-time NHL win list.   Next up: Ilya Bryzgalov (221).

Greiss, Greiss, Baby

Thomas Greiss is 8-2-2 on the season (8-1-2 in his last 11 games).  Greiss has won five straight and is 6-0-1 in his last 7 games.

Fastest to 35

Doug Weight is now 39-19-6 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)

The Shots

Isles      12-13-11=36

Vancouver 8-6-11=25

The Isles are 5-2-2 when they outshoot their opponents, 0-1-0 when the shots are even, and 10-4-0 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.

November to Remember

The Isles finish November with an 8-3-1 record.  Since 1988, the Isles have won more than eight games in November only once (11-3-0 in 2014-15).

Home and Road

The Islanders are 15-7-2 overall; 8-0-2 at home and 7-7-0 on the road.  

Vancouver is 11-10-4 overall; 3-5-3 at home and 8-5-1 on the road.  

By Division & Conference

The Isles are 4-3-0 in Division games and 11-4-2 in games versus other divisions.   The Isles are 7-3-0 against the East and 8-4-2 against the West.

Our House

The Isles are 8-0-2 at home, matching their best-ever record through 10 home games (8-0-2 in 1978-79 and 9-1-0 in 1984-85).

The Isles are 5-0-2 vs. the Western Conference at Barclays Center this season and are 26-4-5 all-time at Barclays against the West.

Most Points Through 10 Home Games

18- 2017-18

18- 1978-79

18- 1984-85

In the Nets

Jaroslav Halak made 23 saves as he improves to 7-5-0 on the season and 7-5-2 in his career against Vancouver.

Anders Nilsson made 31 saves but falls to 5-2-1 on the season and 0-3-0 in his career against the Isles. 

Power Plays

The Isles were 0-3 on the power play; Vancouver was 1-2.  Both teams also allowed a shorthanded goal

The Isles are 10-2-0 when they score at least one power play goal and 5-5-2 when they do not.  The Isles are 98-4-0 when they allow at least one power play goal and 6-3-2 when they do not.    

Three is (Usually) a Magic Number

The Isles are 14-2-0 when they score at least three goals (including shootout winners) and are 1-5-2 when they do not.  

One Goal Games

The Isles are 4-3-2 in games decided by a single goal including 1-3 in regulation. They are 2-1 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 10-0-0 when they score first and are 5-7-2 when they allow the opening goal. 

Back-to-Backs

The Isles are 3-2-0 on the front-end of back-to-backs and 3-2-0 on the back-end.  The next back-to-back set is December 4th in Florida and December 5th in Tampa Bay.

Tired vs. Rested

• The Isles are 1-2-0 when both teams played the night before. 

• The Isles are 4-0-0 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 8-5-2 when both teams are rested. 

Ice-time Leaders

Isles: Nick Leddy (21:41); Vancouver: Ben Hutton (22:20)

Isles record by ice-time leaders: Johnny Boychuk (3-1-1), Nick Leddy (8-5-0), John Tavares (2-1-0), Calvin deHaan (2-0-0).

John Tavares led the forwards in ice-time (16:57). Isles record by Forward ice-time leaders: John Tavares (14-5-2), Josh Bailey (1-0-0), Brock Nelson (0-1-0), Mathew Barzal (0-1-0).

Face-offs

Isles 34, Vancouver 27 (56%). 

Alan Quine and Anthony Beauvillier each won 6 of 10 for the Isles; Henrik Sedin won 8 of 15 for Vancouver.

Face-offs by period: 1st period 9/19; 2nd period 14/21; 3rd period 11/21.

Face-offs by strength: Even strength: 29/50; Power play 3/7; Penalty kill 2/4.

Hit Count

Isles 22 (Cal Clutterbuck -5) 

Vancouver 21(Alexander Edler and Christopher Tanev had 3)

Fights

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

Blocked Shots

The Isles blocked 16 shots; Adam Pelech led the team with five. 

For the Corsi Crowd 

All situations: Isles 59, Vancouver 51

5-on-5 Isles 53, Vancouver 43

5-on-5 leaders:

Isles: Johnny Boychuk +7

Vancouver: Brendan Gaunce +4

Night and Day 

The Isles are 14-7-1 in night games and 1-0-1 in matinees.  The Isles, who went 2-3-1 in matinees last season, will play six matinees this season; the next one is December 23rd vs. Winnipeg (1pm).

Ironmen

Jason Chimera – 212 (including 106 for the Capitals); Jordan Eberle 175 (including 151 for the Oilers), Josh Bailey 173, Calvin deHaan 109, Nick Leddy 101.

Century Club

Calvin deHaan and Nick Leddy have joined a select group of Islander defensemen who have played at least 100 consecutive regular season games:

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. Andrew MacDonald 12/19/2011- 3/2/2014 164 (**)

5. Janne Niinimaa 3/13/2004-1/7/2006 136 (**)

6. Ken Morrow 3/1/1980-12/29/1981 134 (*)

7. Mark Streit 10/8/2011-4/26/2013 130

8. Travis Hamonic 2/24/2012-1/12/2014 117

9. Travis Hamonic 11/24/2010– 2/4/2012 113 (*)

10.Jean Potvin 10/23/1975-1/2/1977 110

11. Calvin deHaan 4/7/2016- CURRENT 109

12 Kenny Jonsson 12/26/1996-2/4/1998 104

13. Thomas Hickey 4/26/2013- 11/22/2014 103

14. Nick Leddy 10/23/2016 – CURRENT 101

(*) Start of NHL career.

(**) Entire career with Islanders

Scratches

(Nikolay Kulemin -IR), (Shane Prince-IR), Dennis Seidenberg, Ryan Pulock, (Casey Cizikas – injured)

Total games lost: 54.

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 663 *** 10. Derek King 638 *** 11. Billy Harris 623 *** 12. Stefan Persson 622 *** 13. John Tavares 611

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 251

…

22.  Mark Parrish, Matt Moulson and Steve Thomas 118 *** 25. Ray Ferraro 116 *** 26. Josh Bailey 111

…

29. Anders Kallur 101*** 30. Trent Hunter 99 ***31. Anders Lee 97

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 314

…

15. Tomas Jonsson 249 *** 16. Frans Nielsen and Kyle Okposo 230 ***18. Josh Bailey 223

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 565

…

17. Pierre Turgeon 340 *** 18. Josh Bailey 334

Games Played (Goalies)

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

…

6. Glenn Healy 176 *** 7. Roland Melanson and Jaroslav Halak 136 *** 9. Mark Fitzpatrick 129 ***

10. Garth Snow 127 *** 11.  Evgeni Nabokov 123 *** 12. Thomas Greiss 104

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 75*** 7. Glenn Healy 66 *** 8.  Tommy Salo 62 *** 

9. Evgeni Nabokov and Thomas Greiss 57

Season Series Stats

The Isles lead the season series one game to none (and two points to none).  The teams will conclude the season series on March 5th in Vancouver.

The Isles have won four straight from Vancouver and are 4-0-1 in the last five against the Canucks; the four-game win streak is the Isles' longest against the Canucks since they won five straight between October 1987 and October 1988.

On the Farm

Ryan Bourque scored twice, the latter with 35 seconds to play forcing overtime as the Sound Tigers rallied for a 3-2 shootout victory over the Hershey Bears on Sunday.  Ryan's brother Chris had both goals for Hershey.   

Casey Bailey had the shootout winner as the Sound Tigers completed a five- point weekend and extended their point streak to six games (5-0-1-0).  Bridgeport is now 11-7-1-0 on the season and 8-2-1-0 in their last 11 games. Christopher Gibson made 33 saves to earn the win.

Tanner Fritz had a shootout goal and added an assist; he continues to lead Bridgeport with 19 points (4-15-19); Scott Eansor leads the team in goals with 8.  

Bridgeport opens a home-and-home series in Utica on Friday, before returning home to face Utica on Saturday.  The Sound Tigers will also host Providence at 3pm on Sunday.

 

Up Next

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 1st –OTTAWA AT ISLANDERS 7:00PM 

[MSG+ (Islanders pre-game at 6:30PM), WNYM 970AM, 88.7 WRHU-FM, WRCN 103.9FM]

The Isles look to extend the winning streak to five games as they welcome the Ottawa Senators to Brooklyn on Friday.  It's the second of three meetings between the teams this season; the Isles defeated the Sens 2-1 this past Saturday in Ontario.

The Isles are 4-2-0 in their last six vs. Ottawa and will be looking for their third straight win over the Sens.

After Friday's game, the team will not meet again until March 27th in Ottawa.

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