The Skinny: Winnipeg 4, Isles 2

"The Skinny"

By Eric Hornick

Game 38

Winnipeg 4, Isles 2

Connor Hellebuyck made 42 saves while Blake Wheeler and Kyle Connor each had a goal and an assist as the Winnipeg Jets defeated the Islanders 4-2 before a sellout crowd of 15,321 at MTS Center.

The Isles finished with a season-high 44 shots, including 38 in the first two periods, but Hellebuyck stopped all but two of them as he earned his 20th victory of the season.

The Scoring: 

1ST PERIOD

02:32 Winnipeg Shawn Matthias (1) ASST: Adam Lowry (5) 0-1

16:57 Winnipeg Blake Wheeler (10) ASST: Kyle Connor (11), Patrik Laine (12) 0-2

2ND PERIOD

14:46 New York Anders Lee (23) ASST: John Tavares (28), Josh Bailey (38) 1-2

3RD PERIOD

03:01 Winnipeg Kyle Connor (12) ASST: Patrik Laine (13) 1-3

12:03 Winnipeg PPG - Adam Lowry (8) ASST: Jacob Trouba (11), Blake Wheeler (34) 1-4

16:28 New York Anders Lee (24) ASST: Ryan Pulock (5) 2-4

The Skinny 

The Isles have allowed 44 first period goals (most in the NHL) and have allowed the opening goal in  an NHL-high 24 of 38 games…Anders Lee recorded his 19th career two-goal game (sixth this season) and now shares the NHL lead in goals (24)… Josh Bailey now has an NHL-leading 38 assists … John Tavares (21-28-49) and Josh Bailey (11-38-49) continue to share the team scoring lead; the linemates have combined for 35 points on the last 28 Islander goals... Bailey now has a ten-game point streak (6-12-18) while Tavares has a nine-game streak (4-14-18).. … Josh Bailey's 38 assists and 49 points are already the second-highest totals of his career… Including shootout winners, the Isles have scored 135 goals in the first 37 games (first time since 1993-94, when they had 139) and allowed 133 goals (highest since 2008-09, when they allowed 136)… Mathew Barzal saw his five-game point streak and three-game goal streak come to an end…The Isles had 42 shots (vs St. Louis) and 41 shots (in Anaheim) in consecutive games the first week of the season but this was the first time that they had at least 40 shots since then…Manitoba native Ryan Pulock earned an assist on Anders Lee' 2nd goal…Shawn Matthias scored his first goal since early March in his first game back after being scratched in 12 straight games…The Jets are 17-0-1 when leading after two periods…Winnipeg reaches the 50-point mark in their 39th game; it's the fastest they have done so since relocating from Atlanta…Paul Maurice recorded his 617th coaching win, breaking a tie with Jacques Lemaire for 15th place in NHL history…Anders Lee now has 44 goals in 2017; John Tavares led the Isles in calendar year 2016 with 30 goals.

From Jagr to Bailey

Josh Bailey recorded his 38th assist; he is the first NHL winger to accumulate at least 38 assists in the first 38 games since Jaromir Jagr had 46 in the first 38 games in 1995-96. (Thanks, TSN!)

Chasing Tom Kurvers…and a whole bunch of legends

John Tavares now has an assist in 8 straight games.  The club record is 9, last done by Tom Kurvers in 1991-92. The others to have done so for the Isles are Stefan Persson, Denis Potvin, Bryan Trottier (2x), Mike Bossy and Pat LaFontaine.

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 leads the NHL with 11 goals this month. John Tavares is now 5-16-21 this month, while Josh Bailey is 6-15-21.  Tavares' 15 assists are the highest total in the league, while Bailey and Tavares share the point lead.   

Over the Century Mark

The Isles have earned 102 standings points in calendar year 2017.  It is the first time that the Isles have earned 100 points in a calendar year in the Post-Cup era.  The Isles last earned 100 points in a calendar year in 1983, when they tallied 105.

Moving On Up (Isles lists)

Anders Lee's first goal was his 106th as an Islander, breaking a tie with Ed Westfall and Benoit Hogue for 27th 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.

A Favorable Comparison

The Isles are 20-14-4 this season; they were 15-15-8 through 38 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 44-25-8 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         19-19-6=44

Winnipeg 12-12-13=37

The Isles are 6-6-2 when they outshoot their opponents, 0-1-0 when the shots are even, and 14-7-2 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 are playing 15 games this month, matching their record for most December games (done several other times).  They 5-7-2 this month, with one game to play.

Home and Road

The Islanders are 20-14-4 overall; 12-3-3 at home and 8-11-1 on the road.  

Winnipeg is 22-11-6 overall; 14-3-1 at home and 8-8-5 on the road.  

By Division & Conference

The Isles are 5-4-1 in Division games and 15-10-3 in games versus other divisions.   The Isles are 10-8-1 against the East and 10-6-3 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 33 saves but falls to 11-9-2 on the season and 7-4-0 in his career against Winnipeg.  

Connor Hellebuyck made 42 saves to improve to 20-4-5 on the season and 2-1-0 in his career against the Isles. 

Power Plays

The Isles were 0-4 on the power play in 6:53 of PP time; Winnipeg was 1-5 in 7:43 of PP time. 

The Isles are 12-7-1 when they score at least one power play goal and 8-7-3 when they do not.  The Isles are 11-10-2 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 1-9-2 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.

First Goal 

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

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 11-10-4 when both teams are rested. 

Ice-time Leaders

Isles: Nick Leddy (21:14); Winnipeg: Jacob Trouba (26:31)

Isles record by ice-time leaders: Johnny Boychuk (4-1-1), Nick Leddy (11-12-2), John Tavares (2-1-0), Calvin deHaan (2-0-0).

Josh Bailey led the forwards in ice-time (18:18). 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 (1-0-0).

Face-offs

Isles 33, Winnipeg 35 (48%). 

Casey Cizikas won 10 of 16 for the Isles; Bryan Little won 10 of 17 for Winnipeg.

Face-offs by period: 1st period 9/17; 2nd period 10/23; 3rd period 14/28.

Face-offs by strength: Even strength: 22/51; Power play 4/8; Penalty kill 7/9.

Hit Count

Isles 18 (Adam Pelech-3)

Winnipeg 16 (Mathieu Perreault-3)

Fights

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

Blocked Shots

The Isles blocked 23 shots; Scott Mayfield led the way with five.

For the Corsi Crowd 

All situations: Isles 81, Winnipeg 75.  The 81 attempts were the most by the Isles since a 1/17/2016 vs. Vancouver (a 2-1 shootout loss); it's the first time since 1/16/2010 (3-2 shootout win vs Buffalo) that each team had at least 75 attempts. 

5-on-5 Isles 58, Winnipeg 60

5-on-5 leaders:

Isles: Jordan Eberle +6

Winnipeg: Mathieu Perreault +13

Night and Day 

The Isles are 18-14-3 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 – 226 (including 106 for the Capitals), Jordan Eberle 189 (including 151 for the Oilers), Josh Bailey 187, Nick Leddy 115.

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 115

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), Anthony Beauvillier, Sebastian Aho, Alan Quine

Total games lost: 94

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 677 *** 10. Derek King 638 *** 11. John Tavares 624

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

…

22.  Mark Parrish, Matt Moulson and Steve Thomas 118 *** 25. Josh Bailey 117 *** 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

…

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

…

14. Kyle Okposo & Stefan Persson 369 *** 16. Josh Bailey 355

Games Played (Goalies)

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

…

6. Glenn Healy 176 *** 7. Jaroslav Halak 146 *** 8. Roland Melanson 136*** 9. Mark Fitzpatrick 129 ***

10. Garth Snow 127 *** 11.  Evgeni Nabokov 123 *** 12. Thomas Greiss 109

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 Isles had won five straight games in Winnipeg (three in extra time) and this is their first loss in regulation to the Jets in Manitoba since the franchise relocated from Atlanta (7-0-1).

On the Farm

Bridgeport is 15-13-1-1 on the season heading into Saturday's game with Binghamton.

Fritz continues to lead Bridgeport with 32 points (9-23-32); Rookie Scott Eansor leads the team in goals with 13. Christopher Gibson is 11-6-1 in the nets while Krister Gudlevskis is 4-6-2.

Up Next

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 31st –ISLANDERS AT COLORADO 8:00PM 

[MSG+ (Islanders pre-game at 7:30PM), WMCA 570AM, 88.7 WRHU-FM, WRCN 103.9FM]

The Isles will wrap up the 2017 portion of the schedule as they conclude the road trip in Denver against the Avs.  The Isles defeated the Avs 6-4 at Barclays on November 5th as Mathew Barzal became the first Islander rookie to record five assists.

The home team has won the last seven games between the teams; the Isles are 0-2-1 in their last three trips to Denver, and have scored only two goals in the three games.

New Years Eve has been very, very good for the Isles in recent years. The Isles are 10-0-1 in their last 11 games played on December 31st.  Overall the Isles are 16-7-1 on December 31st, going 4-1-0 at home and 12-6-1 on the road.  Other than 12/31/12 (lockout), Isles have played on New Year's Eve every year since 12/31/07.

Thomas Greiss is 4-0-0 on New Year's Eve (including 2-0-0 as an Islander).

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