The Skinny: Colorado 6, Isles 1

"The Skinny"

By Eric Hornick

Game 39   

Colorado 6, Isles 1

The Colorado Avalanche scored four goals in the second period, including two power play goals by Gabriel Landeskog. as they defeated the Islanders 6-1 before a crowd of 17,461 at Pepsi Center.

Josh Bailey had the only Islander goal as he extended his point streak to 11 straight games.

The Scoring: 

1ST PERIOD

09:31 Colorado  Patrik Nemeth (2) ASST: Alexander Kerfoot (15), Sven Andrighetto (12) 0-1

2ND PERIOD

05:25 Colorado  Matt Nieto (6) ASST: Carl Soderberg (11), Blake Comeau (9) 0-2

12:30 Colorado  Carl Soderberg (7) ASST: Colin Wilson (6), Erik Johnson (10) 0-3

16:35 Colorado PPG - Gabriel Landeskog (15) ASST: Nathan MacKinnon (28), Samuel Girard (6) 0-4

18:24 Colorado PPG - Gabriel Landeskog (16) ASST: Nathan MacKinnon (29), Samuel Girard (7) 0-5

3RD PERIOD

12:24 New York Josh Bailey (12) ASST: Brock Nelson (4), Scott Mayfield (8) 1-5

13:04 Colorado Erik Johnson (5) ASST: Gabriel Landeskog (15), Nathan MacKinnon (30) 1-6

The Skinny 

The Isles have allowed 45 first period goals (most in the NHL) and have allowed the opening goal in an NHL-high 25 of 39 games…Both Nathan MacKinnon and Gabriel Landeskog had three points… Josh Bailey (12-38-50) regained the team scoring lead from John Tavares; the linemates have combined for 36 points on the last 29 Islander goals... Bailey now has an eleven-game point streak (6-13-19) but Tavares' point streak (4-14-18) ended at nine games and his assist streak ended at eight games… Josh Bailey's 39 assists and 50 points are already the second-highest totals of his career… Including shootout winners, the Isles have scored 136 goals in the first 39 games (first time since 1993-94 when they had 139) and allowed 139 goals (highest since 2008-09, when they allowed 141)… The Isles allowed six goals for the fifth time in December; that's the first time they have done that in a calendar month since December 1991…The Isles have lost six straight on the road (0-5-1), including four straight in regulation…The Isles allowed a season-high 48 shots... Sebastian Aho played 15:57 in his NHL debut; he is the first Islander to debut in his draft year since Nino Niederreiter in 2011.

2017 by the Numbers

Calendar Year 2017

Record 46-29-10 102 pts 

Games: Jason Chimera/Nick Leddy/Josh Bailey 85 

Goals: Anders Lee 44, John Tavares 38, Andrew Ladd    24

 

Assists: Josh Bailey 62, John Tavares 50, Nick Leddy 45

Points: John Tavares 88, Josh Bailey 82, Anders Lee 73

Other leaders:

PP goals: Anders Lee 13

PP points: Josh Bailey 26

SH goals: John Tavares/Andrew Ladd 2

SH points: John Tavares 4

GW goals: Jordan Eberle/Brock Nelson/Anders Lee 5 

OT goals: 8 players with 1

Faceoffs: Casey Cizikas 53.2%

Goaltending:

Greiss:  55 games 26-18-7 .900 3.14 (3 shutouts)

Halak:   31 games 17-11-2 .915 2.77 (1 shutout)

Special Teams

PP 48-266 18.0%

PK 48-228 78.9%

End of a Streak

New Year's Eve had been very, very good for the Isles in recent years. This was the Isles' first regulation loss on New Year's Eve since dropping a 1-0 decision in Chicago 19 years ago.  The Isles had gone 10-0-1 in their last 11 games played on December 31st.  Other than 12/31/12 (lockout), Isles have played on New Year's Eve every year since 12/31/07.

24 by New Years

Anders Lee is the first Islander since Pat LaFontaine to record 24 goals by the end of the calendar year.  LaFontaine did it in both 87-88 and 89-90.  Besides LaFontaine, the only other Islanders to do so are Mike Bossy (8 times), Bryan Trottier (3 times) and Anders Kallur (in 1980-81).

December to Remember

Anders Lee led the NHL with 11 goals this month. John Tavares shared the assist lead (16) with Claude Giroux while Josh Bailey went 7-15-22 to lead the league in points   

First Time in a Long Time

The Isles earned 102 standings points in calendar year 2017.  It is the first time that the Isles have earned at least 100 points in a calendar year since 1983, when they tallied 105.

Moving On Up (Isles lists)

Anders Lee played in his 300th Islander game; he is the 72nd skater in club history to do so. Josh Bailey's goal was his 118th, tying Mark Parrish, Matt Moulson and Steve Thomas for 22nd place.

Five's Alive

The Isles have scored at least five goals nine times at home (8-1-0) and thirteen times overall (12-1-0). The Isles have also scored one shootout winner for a five goal of the game (not included above). The Isles scored five goals (including shootout winners) in only 10 games all last season.

First Things First

The Isles have scored first fourteen times this season (13-1-0). The Isles won the first eleven times they scored first this season and had won a franchise-record 16 straight dating back to last season.

First Goal 

The Isles are 13-1-0 when they score first and are 7-14-4 when they allow the opening goal. 

A Favorable Comparison

The Isles are 20-15-4 this season; they were 15-16-8 through 39 games last season and won only 20 of their first 46 games last season (20-17-9).  Their 20th win came in Doug Weight's fourth game as Islander head coach. 

Lots of Wins

Jaroslav Halak has 223 career wins, leaving him two wins shy of Ken Wregget for 67th place on the all-time NHL win list.   

Greiss, Greiss, Baby

Thomas Greiss is 9-5-2 on the season, including 6-3-0 in his last nine decisions.

Fastest to 40

Doug Weight is now 44-26-8 as an NHL coach. On December 4 in Florida, he reached 40 wins faster than any coach in Islander history:

Fewest Games to 40 Wins by an Islander Coach:

66 – Doug Weight (40-20-6)

80– Peter Laviolette 2001-02 (40-28-8-4)

82 – Ted Nolan 2006-07 (40-30-12)

86—Steve Stirling 2003-04 (40-31-11-4)

The Shots

Isles         8-7-13=28

Colorado 12-23-13=48

The Isles are 6-6-2 when they outshoot their opponents, 0-1-0 when the shots are even, and 14-8-2 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.

A Busy Month

The Isles played 15 games this month, matching their record for most December games (done several other times).  They went 5-8-2 this month.

Home and Road

The Islanders are 20-15-4 overall; 12-3-3 at home and 8-12-1 on the road.  

Colorado is 19-16-3 overall; 12-7-1 at home and 7-9-2 on the road.  

By Division & Conference

The Isles are 5-4-1 in Division games and 15-11-3 in games versus other divisions.   The Isles are 10-8-1 against the East and 10-7-3 against the West.  

Our House

The Isles are 12-3-3 at home; they are 5-2-0 against the East and 7-1-3 against the West.  All-time the Isles are 28-5-6 all-time at Barclays against the West.

In the Nets

Jaroslav Halak made 30 saves before being replaced after the 2nd period, but falls to 11-10-2 on the season and 5-3-2 in his career against Colorado.    Thomas Greiss made 12 saves in relief.

Jonathan Bernier made 27 saves to improve to 6-7-1 on the season and 4-4-3 in his career against the Isles. 

Power Plays

The Isles were 0-3 on the power play in 6:00 of PP time; Colorado was 2-4 in 6:55 of PP time. 

The Isles are 12-7-1 when they score at least one power play goal and 8-8-3 when they do not.  The Isles are 11-11-2 when they allow at least one power play goal and 9-4-2 when they do not.    

Three is a Magic Number

The Isles are 19-5-2 when they score at least three goals (including shootout winners) and are 1-10-2 when they do not.  

One Goal Games

The Isles are 7-4-4 in games decided by a single goal including 1-4 in regulation. They are 4-3 in games decided in overtime and are 2-1 in shootouts.  The Isles are 4-2 in games in which an empty-net goal turns a 1 goal game into a 2-goal game.

Back-to-Backs

The Isles are 4-3-0 on the front-end of back-to-backs and 3-4-0 on the back-end. 

The next back-to-back set is January 4th in Philadelphia and January 5th vs. Pittsburgh.

Tired vs. Rested

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

• The Isles are 5-0-0 when they are rested, and their opponents are not. 

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

• The Isles are 11-11-4 when both teams are rested. 

Ice-time Leaders

Isles: Nick Leddy (24:06); Colorado: Erik Johnson (23:10)

Isles record by ice-time leaders: Johnny Boychuk (4-1-1), Nick Leddy (11-13-2), John Tavares (2-1-0), Calvin deHaan (2-0-0).

Andrew Ladd led the forwards in ice-time (18:55). Isles record by Forward ice-time leaders: John Tavares (17-10-4), Josh Bailey (2-1-0), Brock Nelson (0-1-0), Mathew Barzal (0-2-0), Andrew Ladd (1-1-0).

Face-offs

Isles 36, Colorado 33 (52%) 

John Tavares won 16 of 25 for the Isles; Tyson Jost won 6 of 10 for Colorado.

 

Face-offs by period: 1st period 9/19; 2nd period 11/26; 3rd period 16/24.

Face-offs by strength: Even strength: 29/55; Power play 4/6; Penalty kill 3/8.

Hit Count

Isles 16 (Thomas Hickey and Cal Clutterbuck-3)

Colorado 26 (Nikita Zadarov and Gabriel Landeskog-4)

Fights

There were no fights. Season total – 4: (Boychuk 1, Mayfield 1, Cizikas 1, Chimera 1).

Blocked Shots

The Isles blocked 19 shots; Scott Mayfield led the way with six.

For the Corsi Crowd 

All situations: Isles 59, Colorado 77.  

5-on-5 Isles 50, Colorado 64.

5-on-5 leaders:

Isles: Scott Mayfield and Mathew Barzal +7

Colorado: Nikita Zadarov +14

Night and Day 

The Isles are 18-15-3 in night games and 2-0-1 in matinees.  The Isles, who went 2-3-1 in matinees last season, will play six matinees this season; the next ones are January 7th vs New Jersey and January 13 at the Rangers (both 1pm).

Ironmen

Jason Chimera – 227 (including 106 for the Capitals), Jordan Eberle 190 (including 151 for the Oilers), Josh Bailey 188, Nick Leddy 116.

Century Club

Nick Leddy has joined a select group of defensemen in Islander history 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. Calvin deHaan 4/7/2016- 12/16/2017 118

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

10. Nick Leddy 10/23/2016 – CURRENT 116

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

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

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

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

 (*) Start of NHL career.

(**) Entire career with Islanders

Scratches

(Nikolay Kulemin -IR), (Calvin deHaan-IR), (Johnny Boychuk -IR), Steve Bernier, Dennis Seidenberg, Shane Prince

Total games lost: 97

Late Heroes

The Isles have scored three times in the final two minutes of regulation to either tie or win a game:

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

12/7 – PIT Penguins – Brock Nelson (18:50); tied game, but Isles lost in overtime

12/27- BUF Sabres – Josh Bailey (18:51); tied game, and Isles won in overtime

Late Goals Allowed

The Isles have allowed a goal twice in the final two minutes of regulation to either tie or win a game:

12/16 – LA Kings – Anze Kopitar (19:47); tied game, but Isles won in overtime

12/21—Ana Ducks – Rickard Rakell (18:45); tied game and Ducks won in overtime

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 *** 8. Brent Sutter 694 *** 9. Josh Bailey 678 *** 10. Derek King 638 *** 11. John Tavares 625

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 256

…

20. Frans Nielsen and Alexei Yashin 119 *** 22. Josh Bailey, Mark Parrish, Matt Moulson and Steve Thomas 118 *** 26. Ray Ferraro 116 *** 27. Anders Lee 107

Assists

1. Bryan Trottier 853 *** 2. Denis Potvin 742 *** 3. Mike Bossy 553*** 4. Clark Gillies 359***5. John Tonelli 338 *** 6. John Tavares 330

…

13. Bobby Nystrom 278 *** 14. Billy Harris 259 *** 15. Tomas Jonsson 249 *** 16. Josh Bailey 238

Points

1. Bryan Trottier 1353 *** 2. Mike Bossy 1126 *** 3. Denis Potvin 1052 *** 4. Clark Gillies 663 ***5. Brent Sutter 610 *** 6. John Tavares 586

…

13. Billy Harris 443 *** 14. Kyle Okposo & Stefan Persson 369 *** 16. Josh Bailey 356

Games Played (Goalies)

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

…

6. Glenn Healy 176 *** 7. Jaroslav Halak 147 *** 8. Roland Melanson 136*** 9. Mark Fitzpatrick 129 ***10. Garth Snow 127 *** 11.  Evgeni Nabokov 123 *** 12. Thomas Greiss 110

Wins (Goalie)

1. Billy Smith 304 *** 2. Glenn Resch 157 *** 3. Rick DiPietro 130***4. Kelly Hrudey 106 ***5. Jaroslav Halak 79 *** 6.  Rollie Melanson 77*** 7. Glenn Healy 66 *** 8.  Tommy Salo 62 *** 9. Thomas Greiss 58

Season Series Stats

The teams split the season series one game to one (and two points to two).  

The home team has won the last eight games between the teams; the Isles are 0 32-1 in their last four trips to Denver, and have scored only three goals in the four games.

On the Farm

Bridgeport is 16-12-2-1 on the season following a 5-0 blanking of Binghamton on Saturday.  Tanner Fritz had a goal and two assists to lead the offense, while Christopher Gibson made 19 saves for the shutout. Kyle Burroughs went +3; the defenseman is now +14 on the season to lead the team by a wide margin.

 

Fritz continues to lead Bridgeport with 35 points (10-25-35); Rookie Scott Eansor leads the team in goals with 13. Christopher Gibson is 12-6-1 in the nets with 2 shutouts; he has allowed only two goals in his last three starts.

The Sound Tigers visit Wilkes-Barre-Scranton on Wednesday, Rochester on Friday and Toronto on Saturday as they begin a stretch where they'll play 6 of 8 on the road.

Up Next

TUESDAY, JANUARY 2nd –BOSTON AT ISLANDERS 7:00PM 

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

The Islanders open 2018 as they entertain the Bruins at Barclays Center.  It's the first of two meetings between the teams in Brooklyn this month and the second meeting this season.  The Bruins defeated the Isles 3-1 on December 9th.

The Isles have played very well at Barclays Center over the last 2½ seasons, going 59-26-15 in 100 games, but they are 0-3-0 against the Bruins in Brooklyn.  The Isles have gone 1-8-0 in their last 9 home games against the B's.

 

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