The Skinny: Tampa Bay 6, Isles 2

"The Skinny"

By Eric Hornick

Game 27

Tampa Bay 6, Isles 2

Yanni Gourde scored a pair of goals 94 seconds apart as the Tampa Bay Lightning broke open a 2-2 tie and went on to defeat the Islanders 6-2 before a sellout crowd of 19,092 at Amalie Arena.

Gourde's goals were the first two in a three goals in 2:24 spurt for the Lightning, after the Islanders had fought back to tie the game with goals from Mathew Barzal and Jordan Eberle 1:51 apart earlier in the session.

The Scoring:

1ST PERIOD

00:34 Tampa Bay Brayden Point (10) ASST: Ondrej Palat (11), Nikita Kucherov (20) 0-1

17:47 Tampa Bay Andrej Sustr (2) ASST: Chris Kunitz (5), Ryan Callahan (5) 0-2

2ND PERIOD

07:07 New York PPG - Mathew Barzal (7) ASST: John Tavares (14), Nick Leddy (17) 1-2

08:58 New York Jordan Eberle (11) ASST: Mathew Barzal (19), Adam Pelech (11) 2-2

16:22 Tampa Bay PPG - Yanni Gourde (7) ASST: Mikhail Sergachev (13), Tyler Johnson (8) 2-3

17:56 Tampa Bay Yanni Gourde (8) ASST: Slater Koekkoek (3), Cory Conacher (1) 2-4

18:46 Tampa Bay PPG - Vladislav Namestnikov (11) ASST: Nikita Kucherov (21), Steven Stamkos (27) 2-5

3RD PERIOD

06:00 Tampa Bay Chris Kunitz (4) 2-6

 

The Skinny: 

Anders Lee's goal streak ended at four games … John Tavares assisted on Mathew Barzal's goal for his 31st point of the season, tying Josh Bailey for the club lead... Nick Leddy had an assist, leaving him only one point behind John Klingberg for the defenseman scoring lead…Yanni Gourde now has four goals against the Isles... Jordan Eberle scored for the 11th time in the last 17 games.  The Isles have allowed the first goal in 17 of the first 27 games…The games featured three of the NHL's four leading goal scorers, but none of the three scored in this game…Brayden Point's goal was the earliest in any Islander game this season, and the earliest allowed by the Isles since Aleksander Barkov scored at :32 for Florida on January 14, 2014…The Lightning have sold-out 121 consecutive games…Counting the 2016 playoffs, Tampa Bay has won 8 of the last 9 games between the teams…Mathew Barzal re-took the rookie scoring lead with 26 points (7-19-26)…Adam Pelech now has 11 assists (0-11-11); he has already set career highs in both assists and points…With the six goals tonight, Tampa Bay beats the Isles to 100 goals  (100-99)…The Lightning have won two straight after a 2-4-0 run that began with their loss to the Isles…The Isles have scored 9 power play goals in 10 games but have allowed two power play goals in each of the last three games (and eight goals total in the last five games)…It's the first time since December 2009 that the Isles have allowed multiple power play goals in three straight games.

Leading goal scorers in NHL

1. Alex Ovechkin 20

2. Nikita Kucherov 19

3. John Tavares 17

4. Anders Lee 16

Five's Alive

The Isles have scored at least five goals eight times at home (7-1-0) and twelve times overall (11-1-0). 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 ten 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.

A Favorable Comparison

The Isles are 16-9-2 this season; they were 11-11-5 through 27 games last season and won only 16 of their first 41 games last season (16-17-8).  

Leddy(ing) the Way

Nick Leddy's assist give him 23 points in 27 games this season (.85 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 is the fifth American and 30th Islander to reach 100 career goals. Only four other 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 has 220 career wins; he is one win behind Ilya Bryzgalov for 68th place on the all-time NHL win list.   

Greiss, Greiss, Baby

Thomas Greiss is 8-3-2 on the season (8-2-2 in his last 12 decisions). Greiss had won five straight decisions and was 6-0-1(with 1 no decision) in his last 8 games prior to today.

Fastest to 40

Doug Weight is now 40-21-6 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               2-17-12=31

Tampa Bay  11-13-10=34

The Isles are 5-3-2 when they outshoot their opponents, 0-1-0 when the shots are even, and 11-5-0 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 December

This was the first game of a stretch in which the Isles will play eight games in 13 days.  The Isles are 1-1-0 in this stretch:

12/4 - @ Panthers W 5-4 (SO)

12/5 - @ Lightning L 6-2

12/7 - @ Penguins

12/9 - @ Bruins

12/11- Vs. Caps

12/13- Vs. Stars

12/14 - @ Blue Jackets

12/16- Vs. Kings

The game in Columbus on December 14th is the only road game in an 8-game stretch between December 11th and December 27th.

The Isles are playing 15 games this month, matching their record for most December games (done several other times).  

Home and Road

The Islanders are 16-9-2 overall; 8-1-2 at home and 8-8-0 on the road.  

Tampa Bay is 19-6-2 overall; 11-2-1 at home and 8-4-1 on the road.  

By Division & Conference

The Isles are 4-3-0 in Division games and 12-6-2 in games versus other divisions.   The Isles are 8-5-0 against the East and 8-4-2 against the West.

Our House

The Isles are 8-1-2 at home; they are 3-1-0 against the East and 5-0-2 against the West.  All-time the Isles are 26-4-5 all-time at Barclays against the West.

Most Points Through 11 Home Games

20- 1984-85

19- 1978-79

18- 2017-18

18- 2014-15

18- 1982-83

18- 1974-75

In the Nets

Thomas Greiss made 28 saves but falls to 8-3-2 on the season and 4-3-0 in his career against Tampa Bay.  After posting the NHL's best record in November (6-0-1, .929 win percentage), he has allowed 11 goals in 92 minutes in December.

Andrei Vasilevskiy made 29 saves to improve to 18-4-1 on the season and 3-2-0 in his career against the Isles. 

Power Plays

The Isles were 1-2 on the power play; Tampa Bay was 2-4.  

The Isles are 10-4-0 when they score at least one power play goal and 6-5-2 when they do not.  The Isles are 10-6-0 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 15-3-0 when they score at least three goals (including shootout winners) and are 1-6-2 when they do not.  

One Goal Games

The Isles are 5-4-2 in games decided by a single goal including 1-4 in regulation. They are 2-1 in games decided in overtime and are 2-1 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 6-9-2 when they allow the opening goal. 

Back-to-Backs

Including tonight, the Isles are 4-2-0 on the front-end of back-to-backs and 3-3-0 on the back-end.  The next back-to-back set is December 13th vs. Dallas and December 14th in Columbus; that is the last back-to-back set until mid-January.

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 2-1-0 when their opponents are rested, and the Isles are not.

• The Isles are 9-6-2 when both teams are rested. 

Ice-time Leaders

Isles: Nick Leddy (20:11); Tampa Bay: Victor Hedman (25:07)

Isles record by ice-time leaders: Johnny Boychuk (3-1-1), Nick Leddy (9-7-0), John Tavares (2-1-0), Calvin deHaan (2-0-0).

John Tavares led the forwards in ice-time (18:51). Isles record by Forward ice-time leaders: John Tavares (15-7-2), Josh Bailey (1-0-0), Brock Nelson (0-1-0), Mathew Barzal (0-1-0).

Face-offs

Isles 25, Tampa Bay 33 (43%). 

Brock Nelson won 10 of 17 for the Isles; Steven Stamkos won 5 of 6 for Tampa Bay.

Face-offs by period: 1st period 8/15; 2nd period 11/25; 3rd period 6/18

Face-offs by strength: Even strength: 22/49; Power play 1/2; Penalty kill 2/7

Hit Count

Isles 27 (Cal Clutterbuck -5) 

Tampa Bay 17 (6 with 2)

Fights

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

Blocked Shots

The Isles blocked 21 shots; Ryan Pulock, Adam Pelech and Johnny Boychuk each had 3. 

For the Corsi Crowd 

All situations: Isles 46, Tampa Bay 68, including 20-0 Tampa in the first 11 minutes.

5-on-5 Isles 37, Tampa Bay 58

5-on-5 leaders:

Isles: Jordan Eberle +2

Tampa Bay: Victor Hedman +14

Night and Day 

The Isles are 15-8-1 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 – 215 (including 106 for the Capitals); Jordan Eberle 178 (including 151 for the Oilers), Josh Bailey 176, Calvin deHaan 112, Nick Leddy 104.

Century Club

Calvin deHaan and Nick Leddy have 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. Travis Hamonic 2/24/2012-1/12/2014 117

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

10.Calvin deHaan 4/7/2016- CURRENT 112

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

12. Nick Leddy 10/23/2016 – CURRENT 104

      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), (Shane Prince-IR), (Casey Cizikas – IR), Dennis Seidenberg, Thomas Hickey

Total games lost: 57.

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 666 *** 10. Derek King 638 *** 11. Billy Harris 623 *** 12. Stefan Persson 622 *** 13. John Tavares 614

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 252

…

22.  Mark Parrish, Matt Moulson and Steve Thomas 118 *** 25. Ray Ferraro 116 *** 26. Josh Bailey 111 *** 27. Benoit Hogue and Ed Westfall 105 *** 29. Anders Kallur 101*** 30. Anders Lee 100

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 316

…

15. Tomas Jonsson 249 *** 16. Frans Nielsen and Kyle Okposo 230 ***18. Josh Bailey 226

Points

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

5. Brent Sutter 610 *** 6. John Tavares 568

…

16. Frans Nielsen 349 *** 17. Pierre Turgeon 340 *** 18. Josh Bailey 337

Games Played (Goalies)

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

…

6. Glenn Healy 176 *** 7. Jaroslav Halak 138 *** 8. Roland Melanson 136*** 9. Mark Fitzpatrick 129 ***

10. Garth Snow 127 *** 11.  Evgeni Nabokov 123 *** 12. Thomas Greiss 105

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

9. Evgeni Nabokov and Thomas Greiss 57

Season Series Stats

The season series is even one game to one (and two points to two). The final game of the season series will be played in Brooklyn on March 22nd.

Since Game 2 of the 2016 playoffs, the Isles have lost eight of 9 games to Tampa Bay. In purely regular season play, the Isles gave lost five out of seven games to the Bolts.

The Isles failed to sweep the Florida trip, which they last did in 2013, and the loss ended an Islander three-game winning streak in the Sunshine State.

On the Farm

Over the weekend Bridgeport dropped home games to Utica (2-1 in a shootout) and Providence (4-1) at Harbor Yards. The loss to the P-Bruins ended an 8-game Sound Tiger point streak (6-0-1-1).

Bridgeport is now 12-8-1-1 on the season and 9-3-1-1 in their last 14 games. 

Fritz continues to lead Bridgeport with 25 points (7-18-25) and is now tied for 4th in the AHL in scoring; Rookie Scott Eansor leads the team in goals with 10. Christopher Gibson is 8-4-0 in the nets, while Krister Gudlevskis is 4-4-2.  

Bridgeport is off until Saturday, when they visit Springfield; the Sound Tigers will also host Rochester at 3pm on Sunday.

 

Up Next

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 7th –ISLANDERS AT PITTSBURGH  7:30PM 

[MSG+ (Islanders pre-game at 7:00PM), WFAN 660/101.9FM, 88.7 WRHU-FM]

So, after facing the team leading the President's Trophy race (Tampa Bay), the Isles now head to Pittsburgh to face the 2-time reigning Stanley Cup Champion Penguins.

This is the first meeting between the teams this season and only the second matchup between the divisional rivals in the last 12 months.  Last season each team went 2-1-1 in the season series with the Penguins winning in overtime in November on a Kris Letang tally and the Isles winning in a shootout in the Steel City in March.

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