It was quite a week for Josh Bailey and John Tavares, as they combined for 17 points (8 for Bailey and 9 for Tavares) to both reach the 40 point mark in the Isles' 33rd game.
The linemates are the first Isles to reach 40 points in the team's first 33 games since Pierre Turgeon (in the building last night), who was 16-28-44 in the first 33 in 1993-94 (and 19-31-50 in 1992-93).
Pat LaFontaine was the last Islander before Turgeon to reach 40 in 33, going 20-22-42 in 1990-91.
Where does Mike Bossy fit in to this? Well, like Tavares, both Turgeon and LaFontaine were centers. The last Islander winger before Josh Bailey to reach 40 points in the Isles' first 33 games was no other than the greatest goal scorer (goals/game) in NHL history. Bossy did it numerous times, including 21-24-45 in the 1985-86 season.
Bossy was also part of the last set of Isles teammates to reach 40 points in the first 33 games before Bailey and Tavares did so last night. In 1984-85, Bossy went 31-31-62, Brent Sutter went 19-35-54 and John Tonelli went 21-26-47 in the Isles' first 33 games.
Maybe that's the reason that Barclays was playing this song last night:
Maybe that's the reason that Barclays was playing this song last night:
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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