The Skinny: Isles 6, Colorado 4

"The Skinny"

By Eric Hornick

Game 14

Isles 6, Colorado 4

Mathew Barzal became the first rookie in Islander history to record 5 assists (and tied the club rookie record with 5 points) and the Islanders got two goals from both Nick Leddy and Jordan Eberle as they defeated the Colorado Avalanche 6-4 before a crowd of 10,927 at Barclays Center.

Leddy's goals were two of the four goals scored by the Isles' defense – it's the first time since January 11, 1992 in Calgary that the Isles defense scored at least four times.

Colorado scored twice in the final 30 seconds to make the final score closer; the Avs played the last 2 ½ periods with only 10 forwards as Blake Comeau was injured and Matt Duchene was traded to Ottawa during the opening session.

The Scoring:

1ST PERIOD

04:05 New York Scott Mayfield (2) ASST: Calvin de Haan (6), Josh Bailey (14) 1-0

12:58 New York Jordan Eberle (3) ASST: Mathew Barzal (6), Johnny Boychuk (4) 2-0

2ND PERIOD

00:40 Colorado Nathan MacKinnon (4) ASST: Erik Johnson (4), Gabriel Landeskog (5) 2-1

01:33 New York PPG - Nick Leddy (2) ASST: Mathew Barzal (7), John Tavares (6) 3-1

04:24 New York PPG - Nick Leddy (3) ASST: Josh Bailey (15), Mathew Barzal (8) 4-1

09:46 New York Johnny Boychuk (1) ASST: Nick Leddy (7), Mathew Barzal (9) 5-1

13:02 Colorado Gabriel Landeskog (5) ASST: Nathan MacKinnon (10), Tyson Barrie (11) 5-2

3RD PERIOD

01:23 New York Jordan Eberle (4) ASST: Mathew Barzal (10), Scott Mayfield (2) 6-2

19:30 Colorado Alexander Kerfoot (4) ASST: Sven Andrighetto (5), Tyson Barrie (12) 6-3

19:51 Colorado Alexander Kerfoot (5) ASST: Sven Andrighetto (6), Rocco Grimaldi (2) 6-4

The Skinny: 

The Isles scored the first goal for only the 4th time in the first 14 games … Scott Mayfield completed the Gordie Howe Hat Trick – first Islander with a goal, assist and fight since Kyle Okposo on January 20, 2014 vs Philly (Kyle also had the shootout winner in that game)…Josh Bailey added two assists (again); extending his assist streak to 8 games and his point streak to 9 games; Bailey's assist on Leddy's goal was his 7th power play helper of the season…Mathew Barzal now has 13 points in the last nine games; he is the first Isles rookie in at least 30 years to have 13 points in the first 14 games of a season. Barzal also now has a 5-game point streak (2-8-10).… The Isles' power play scored on both of their opportunities and is now 9-16 (56.3%) in the last four games after starting the season 2-33 (6.1%)...Jordan Eberle's four goals as an Islander have come in two 2-goal games...Nick Leddy recorded his 48th and 49th career goals after scoring his first 47 goals in 47 different games…The Avs, who saw their three-game win streak end, had allowed only 7 first period goals all season before the Isles scored twice tonight.  

Barzal's Place in History

Mathew Barzal's 5-assist game was monumental for numerous reasons; it was the first 5-assist game ever by an Islander rookie, it was the first 5-point game for an Islander rookie since Tavares' big night in Vancouver (3-11-10) and it was also the first 5 assist game for an NHL rookie since Ryan Nugent-Hopkins had 5 helpers for Edmonton on 11-19-11 vs. Chicago.

Wayne Gretzky had a seven-assist game in his first NHL season, but he was not considered a rookie due to his previous WHA experience; Gary Suter is the only pure "rookie" to have recorded six assists in an NHL game, meaning that Barzal tied the NHL record for most assists by a rookie forward in a game.

 

Hey Josh Bailey, Can You Assist on Some More Goals?

Josh Bailey's 8-game assist streak and 9-game point streak are the longest current streaks in the NHL; 14 of Bailey's 15 assists have come during the seven-game streak.  Bailey is now just one game shy of tying the Islander club record for consecutive games with an assist - 9 (shared by several); his nine-game point streak is the longest by an Islander since Thomas Vanek had a 10-game streak in 2013-14.  Bailey is the first Islander with 15 assists in the first 14 games in the last 30+ seasons; he now has 3 consecutive multi-assist games and has tallied 11 assists in the last five games.

Fastest to 30

Doug Weight is now 32-17-5 as an NHL coach. On October 28 in Nashville, he reached 30 wins faster than any coach in Islander history:

Fewest Games to 30 Wins by an Islander Coach:

51 – Doug Weight

60 – Peter Laviolette 2001-02 (30-20-7-3)

61 – Ted Nolan 30-23-8

These Guys Can Score

The Isles have scored at least one goal in 17 straight periods, have scored a second period goal in 10 straight games and have scored 16 goals in the third period of the last seven games.  The 17-period streak is the longest since the Isles scored in 18 straight periods from December 15-29, 1992.

The Isles have scored 54 goals in the first 14 games; it's their highest goal total through 14 games since 1987-88 when they scored 62.

Chili

Long-time Islander fans will remember the days when 6 goals in a home game earned fans chili at a local restaurant.  The Isles have already scored six goals at home three times this season after doing so three times in each of the last two seasons.  It's the first time since January 2003 that the Isles have scored at least six goals three times in a span of six home games or fewer and the first time since October/November 1986 that it has happened in the first six home games.

 (Other) First Times in a Long Time

• The Isles have scored at least 2 power play goals in four consecutive games for the first time since December 29, 1991 -  January 4, 1992.  (The club record of 5 was set during the 15-game winning streak in 1982)

• The Isles have scored 9 power play goals in a four-game period for the first time since October 29- November 5, 1997.

• Mathew Barzal is the first Islander since Pat LaFontaine (1-11-90 vs Minnesota) with a 5-assist game.

 

Most Hat Tricks by an Islander

1. Mike Bossy -39

2. Bryan Trottier -16

3. JOHN TAVARES -8

Pierre Turgeon -8

Most Natural Hat Tricks by an Islander 

1. Derek King – 4

2. JOHN TAVARES -2 

Mike Bossy -2 

Bryan Trottier -2

Jason Blake -2

Tied with Travis

Anders Lee has 92 goals as an Islander, tied with Travis Green for 36th on the team's all-time list. 

The Shots

Isles         8-9-11=28

Colorado 12-11-12=35

The Isles are 1-2-1 when they outshoot their opponents, 0-1-0 when the shots are even, and 7-2-0 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 so far this season.

Go West, Young Men

This was the 12th game of a stretch in which the Isles will play 13 of 15 games against Western Conference opponents.  The Isles are 7-4-1 in this stretch; the only Eastern Conference opponents they will face during this stretch are the Rangers (4-3 SO Win) and Capitals (4-3 Loss).

Home and Road

The Islanders are 8-5-1 overall; 5-0-1 at home and 3-5-0 on the road.  

Colorado is 8-6-0 overall; 5-1-0 at home and 3-5-0 on the road.  

By Division & Conference

The Isles are 1-2-0 in Division games and 7-3-1 in games versus other divisions.   The Isles are 2-2-0 against the East and 6-3-1 against the West.

Our House

The Isles are 5-0-1 at home; it's their best home start since 1982-83 (6-0-0).  The Isles are 4-0-1 vs. the Western Conference at Barclays Center this season and are 25-4-4 all-time at Barclays against the West.

Best Home Records Thru Six Games

• 1982-83 (6-0-0)

• 1977-78 (5-0-1)

• 1978-79 (5-0-1)

• 2017-18 (5-0-1)

In the Nets

Thomas Greiss made 31 saves and improves to 3-2-1 on the season.  He is 6-2-1 in his career against Colorado.

Jonathan Bernier made 22 saves but falls to 2-3-0 on the season; he is 3-4-3 in his career against the Isles.

Power Plays

The Isles were 2-2 on the power play, Colorado was 0-4.  

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

Three is a Magic Number

The Isles are 8-2-0 when they score at least three goals (including shootout winners) and are 0-3-1 when they do not.  

One Goal Games

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

First Goal 

The Isles are 4-0-0 when they score first and are 4-5-1 when they allow the opening goal. 

Back-to-Backs

The Isles are 1-1-0 on the front-end of back-to-backs and 1-1-0 on the back-end.  The next back-to-back set is November 10th in Dallas and November 11th in St. Louis.

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 1-0-0 when their opponents are rested, and the Isles are not.

• The Isles are 4-4-1 when both teams are rested. 

Ice-time Leaders

Isles: Johnny Boychuk (24:34); Colorado: Tyson Barrie (25:05)

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

John Tavares led the forwards in ice-time (17:56). Isles record by Forward ice-time leaders: John Tavares (8-5-1).

Face-offs

Isles 41, Colorado 32 (56%). 

Mathew Barzal won 9 of 11 for the Isles; Mikko Rantanen won 6 of 7 for Colorado.

Face-offs by period: 1st period 10/22; 2nd period 18/28; 3rd period 13/23.

Face-offs by strength: Even strength: 36/60; Power play 2/2; Penalty kill 3/11.

Hit Count

Isles 18 (Dennis Seidenberg - 4) 

Colorado 23 (Nikita Zadarov -6)

Fights

Scott Mayfield fought Nikita Zadarov in the 3rd period to complete his Gordie Howe Hat Trick.  Season total – 2: (Boychuk 1, Mayfield 1).

Blocked Shots

The Isles blocked 17 shots; Nick Leddy, Calvin deHaan and Johnny Boychuk led the team with 3. 

For the Corsi Crowd 

All situations: Isles 56, Colorado 62 

5-on-5 Isles 52, Colorado 54

5-on-5 leaders:

Isles: Mathew Barzal +7

Colorado: Mikko Rantanen +17

Night and Day 

The Isles are 8-5-0 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 – 202 (including 106 for the Capitals); Jordan Eberle 165 (including 151 for the Oilers), Josh Bailey 163, Calvin deHaan 99

Scratches

(Shane Prince-IR), Adam Pelech (injured), Alan Quine-Conditioning, Thomas Hickey

Total games lost: 29

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 653 *** 10. Derek King 638 *** 11. Billy Harris 623 *** 12. Stefan Persson 622 *** 13. Frans Nielsen 606 *** 14. John Tavares 601

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 247

…

22.  Mark Parrish, Matt Moulson and Steve Thomas 118 *** 25. Ray Ferraro 116 *** 26. Josh Bailey 109

…

36. Travis Green 92 and Anders Lee 92

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 308

…

15. Tomas Jonsson 249 *** 16. Frans Nielsen and Kyle Okposo 230 ***18. Josh Bailey 215

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 555

…

17. Pierre Turgeon 340 *** 18. Tomas Jonsson 333 *** 19. Ziggy Palffy 331 *** 20. Josh Bailey 324

Season Series Stats

The Isles lead the season series one game to none (and 2 points to 0).  The teams will meet in Denver on New Year's Eve to complete the season series.

The home team has dominated this series in recent years; the Isles have won the last four games at home by a combined score of 22-8.

On the Farm

Bridgeport finished October with a 3-5-0 record, but equaled their October win total by sweeping a 3-in-3 weekend to begin November as they improve to 6-5-0 on the season. Goaltending was a big part of the story as the Sound Tigers shut out the Bruins in Providence by scores of 1-0 (Friday) and 6-0 (Sunday).  In between, Bridgeport beat Springfield 3-2.   Both Christopher Gibson and Kristers Gudlevskis earned their first shutout of the season.

Tanner Fritz leads Bridgeport with 11 points (3-8-11) while Scott Eansor continues to lead the team in goals with 7.

The Sound Tigers host Lehigh Valley at 10:30 Wednesday in a school day matinee.

Up Next

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 7th – EDMONTON AT ISLANDERS 7:00PM 

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

The Isles will look for their fifth straight home win as they entertain Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers.  It will be the first meeting of the teams since the Isles acquired Jordan Eberle from the Oilers last summer.

The game will feature the last four players to record 5 points in a game as a rookie (Barzal, McDavid, Nugent-Hopkins and Tavares).

The Oilers won last November in Brooklyn in a shootout but the Isles have not lost a regulation home game to the Oilers this century.  The last Islander home regulation loss to Edmonton came on December 14, 1999 at the Coliseum (9-0-1). 

The Isles will face the Oilers in Alberta on March 8th to complete the season series.

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