"The Skinny"
By Eric Hornick
Game 50
Isles 2, Vegas 1
Ross Johnston scored his 1st NHL goal and Jaroslav Halak made 38 saves as the Islanders became the first opponent to sweep a season series from the Golden Knights, as they defeated Vegas 2-1 before a crowd of 18,184 at T-Mobile Arena.
Jordan Eberle scored the winning goal for the Isles, off a set-up by Mathew Barzal. It was the 23rd time this season that both players earned points on the same goal. Erik Haula's power play goal was the only one to beat Halak.
The Isles improve to 4-0-1 in their last five road games. It's the first time since they had a 7-game road winning streak in the 2013-14 season that the Isles have earned at least 9 points in a span of 5 road games.
The Scoring:
1ST PERIOD
No Scoring
2ND PERIOD
10:01 New York Ross Johnston (1) ASST: Ryan Pulock (11), Cal Clutterbuck (8) 1-0
3RD PERIOD
08:21 New York Jordan Eberle (17) ASST: Mathew Barzal (35), Anthony Beauvillier (5) 2-0
14:53 Vegas PPG - Erik Haula (17) ASST: David Perron (30), Colin Miller (19) 2-1
The Skinny
The Isles are 10-13-3 in their last 26 games … Including shootout winners, the Isles have scored 172 goals in the first 50 games (first time since 1993-94 when they also had 172) and allowed 180 goals (highest since 1995-96, when they allowed 192)..The Isles are the first opponent to sweep the season series from Vegas…Since defeating the Isles in the 2013, Marc-Andre Fleury is 5-5-1 in 11 games against the Isles…Mathew Barzal has earned an assist on 13 of Jordan Eberle's 17 goals (11 primary assists)… Barzal has earned an assist in four straight games…Jordan Eberle recorded his 6th game-winning goal, one shy of the league lead shared by four players. It's the first time in his career that Eberle has recorded 6 game-winning goals…The Isles held the opposition without a goal through two periods for only the 4th time this season…David Perron recorded his 30th assist on the only Vegas goal; it's the most assists he has since he had 35 in his rookie season of 2008-09…The Isles have won all 18 games that they have led after two periods…Vegas is 11-11-4 when allowing the first goal; they are 21-1-0 when scoring first, with their only loss coming in Brooklyn on October 30th…. With the win, the Isles remain exactly tied with the Rangers (25-20-5 with 22 ROW) …Both teams are one point behind Philadelphia and New Jersey and two points behind Pittsburgh and Columbus…Nevada is the 21st state in which the Isles have played a game; Nevada will pass Oklahoma on the Isles games played list next season.
Ross Johnston Joins the Club
Ross Johnston, in his 4th NHL game (3rd this season), became the 365th Islander to score a goal.
51 in 50
Mathew Barzal has 51 points in 50 games this season; Since 1996-97, Evgeni Malkin, Alex Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby are the only rookies to have reached the 50-point mark in the first 53 games of the season
Barzal is the 14th Islander rookie to have 50 points in a season; however only four have had more than 54 points (Bryan Trottier 95, Mike Bossy 91, David Volek 59, Stefan Persson 56). Barzal needs only 9 points to become the third highest-scoring rookie in Islander history.
Most Assists by an Islander Rookie, Post-Cup Era
1 Bryan Berard 40 1996-97
2 Vladimir Malakhov 38 1992-93
3 Pat LaFontaine 35 1984-85
MATHEW BARZAL 35 2017-18
NHL Leading Goal Scorers
1. Alex Ovechkin 30
2. Anders Lee 27
Nikita Kucherov 27
William Karlsson 27
5 John Tavares 26
Sean Couturier 26
Closing in on Career Highs
Josh Bailey was held pointless after earning four assists in three games since returning from injury. Bailey is now 12-42-54 on the season, leaving him one assist and two points shy of his career highs. Bailey is now tied-3rd in the NHL in assists, being only Jakub Voracek (47) and Claude Giroux (43).
Bailey's next assist will make him the first Islander winger with multiple seasons of at least 43 assists since Mike Bossy!
One and Done
The Isles are 15-0-0 this season when leading after one period. Dating back to last season the Isles have won 19 straight games and are 22-0-1 in their last 23 games when leading after twenty minutes.
Five's Alive
The Isles have scored at least five goals nine times at home (8-1-0) and sixteen times overall (15-1-0). The Isles have also scored two shootout winners for a fifth goal of the game (not included above). The Isles scored five goals (including shootout winners) in only 10 games all last season.
Chili
The Isles have scored at least six goals seven times this season. The Isles have won 44 straight games, dating back to 2005, when they score at least six times.
Seventh Heaven
The Isles have scored seven goals twice this season. The Isles have won 43 straight games, dating back to a 1991 tie in St. Louis, when they score at least seven times.
Five's Trouble
The Isles have allowed at least five goals six times at home (0-5-1) and thirteen times overall (0-12-1). They have allowed at least five goals in five of their seven regulation losses at home.
First Things First
The Isles have scored first 20 times this season (17-3-0). 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 17-3-0 when they score first and are 8-17-5 when they allow the opening goal.
This Year vs. Last Year
The Isles are 25-20-5 (55 points) this season; they were 22-18-10 (54 points) through 50 games last season.
Lots of Wins
Jaroslav Halak recorded his 227th career win, tying former Isles Dwayne Roloson for 66th place on the all-time NHL win list.
Greiss, Greiss, Baby
Thomas Greiss is 10-6-2 on the season, including 7-4-0 in his last 11 decisions.
Fastest to 45
Doug Weight is now 49-32-9 as an NHL coach. On January 7th vs. the Devils, he reached 45 wins faster than any coach in Islander history:
Fewest Games to 45 Wins by an Islander Coach:
83 – Doug Weight (45-30-8)
89– Peter Laviolette 2001-02 & 2002-03(45-31-9-4)
91 – Ted Nolan 2006-07 & 2007-08 (45-34-12)
95- Terry Simpson 1986-87 & 1987-88 (45-37-13)
97—Steve Stirling 2003-04 & 2005-06 (45-37-11-4)
The Shots
Isles 9-11-5=25
Vegas 13-9-17=39
The Isles are 7-6-3 when they outshoot their opponents, 0-1-0 when the shots are even, and 18-13-2 when they are outshot.
Offside Challenges
The Isles have challenged three times and been successful twice.
10/10 vs STL Blues – unsuccessful; Isles killed ensuing power play.
10/12 @ Ana Ducks – successful
1/15 @ Mtl Canadiens – successful
The opponents have not yet challenged an Islander goal due to an offside this season.
Home and Road
The Islanders are 25-20-5 overall; 13-7-3 at home and 12-13-2 on the road.
Vegas is 32-12-4 overall; 19-3-2 at home and 13-9-2 on the road.
By Division & Conference
The Isles are 7-7-1 in Division games and 18-13-4 in games versus other divisions. The Isles are 13-13-1 against the East and 12-7-4 against the West.
Our House
The Isles are 13-7-3 at home; they are 6-6-0 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 38 saves to improve to 15-14-3 on the season and 2-0-0 in his career against Vegas.
Marc-Andre Fleury made 23 saves but falls to 12-4-2 on the season and 23-11-5 in his career against the Isles.
Power Plays
The Isles were 0-1 on the power play in 1:23 of PP time; Vegas was 1-2 in 3:20 of PP time.
The Isles are 14-8-1 when they score at least one power play goal and 11-12-4 when they do not. The Isles are 14-15-2 when they allow at least one power play goal and 11-5-3 when they do not.
Three is (Usually) a Magic Number
The Isles are 23-6-2 when they score at least three goals (including shootout winners) and are 2-14-3 when they do not.
One Goal Games
The Isles are 10-4-5 in games decided by a single goal including 2-4 in regulation. They are 5-4 in games decided in overtime and are 3-1 in shootouts. The Isles are 4-3 in games in which an empty-net goal turns a 1 goal game into a 2-goal game.
Back-to-Backs
The Isles are 5-4-0 on the front-end of back-to-backs and 3-6-0 on the back-end. The next back-to-back set is January 30th vs Florida and January 31st in Toronto.
Tired vs. Rested
• The Isles are 1-3-0 when both teams played the night before.
• The Isles are 5-1-0 when they are rested, and their opponents are not.
• The Isles are 2-3-0 when their opponents are rested, and the Isles are not.
• The Isles are 16-13-5 when both teams are rested.
Ice-time Leaders
Isles: Scott Mayfield (25:16); Vegas: Shea Theodore (24:00).
John Tavares led Isles forwards in ice-time (21:52).
Face-offs
Isles 30, Vegas 31 (49%)
John Tavares won 11 of 20 for the Isles: David Perron won 4 of 5 for Vegas.
Face-offs by period: 1st period 13/24; 2nd period 10/19; 3rd period 7/18.
Face-offs by strength: Even strength: 29/56, Power play 0/1, Penalty kill 1/4.
Hit Count
Isles 17 (Jason Chimera -5)
Vegas 17 (William Carrier -4)
Fights
There were no fights. Season total – 9: (Boychuk 1, Mayfield 1, Cizikas 1, Chimera 1, Prince 1, Bailey 1, Eberle 1, Nelson 1, Johnston 1).
Blocked Shots
The Isles blocked 20 shots (Mayfield-4).
For the Corsi Crowd
All situations: Isles 39, Vegas 74 (including 34-7 in Vegas' favor in the 3rd period).
5-on-5 Isles 38, Vegas 57.
5-on-5 leaders:
Isles: Jordan Eberle EVEN
Vegas: Reilly Smith & Nate Schmidt +9
Night and Day
The Isles are 21-20-4 in night games and 4-0-1 in matinees. The Isles, who went 2-3-1 in matinees last season have only one matinee remaining this season: February 19th vs Minnesota (1pm).
Ironmen
Overall: Jason Chimera 238 (including 106 for the Capitals), Jordan Eberle 201 (including 151 for the Oilers:
As Isles: Jason Chimera 132, Nick Leddy 127.
Century Club
Nick Leddy is only the 8th defenseman in Islander history to have played at least 120 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. Nick Leddy 10/23/2016 – CURRENT 127
9. Calvin deHaan 4/7/2016- 12/16/2017 118
10. Travis Hamonic 2/24/2012-1/12/2014 117
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), (Andrew Ladd-IR), (Casey Cizikas – IR), (Shane Prince- Injured), Dennis Seidenberg, Michael dalColle
Total games lost: 153
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 three times this season (10/19 @NYR, 10/21 vs SJ, 1/16 vs. NJ) and are 2-1-0 in those games. Under Doug Weight, the Isles are 6-1-0 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 685*** 10. Derek King 638 *** 11. John Tavares 637
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 261
…
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 110
Assists
1. Bryan Trottier 853 *** 2. Denis Potvin 742 *** 3. Mike Bossy 553*** 4. Clark Gillies 359***
5. John Tonelli 338 *** 6. John Tavares 333
…
13. Bobby Nystrom 278 *** 14. Billy Harris 259 *** 15. Tomas Jonsson 249 *** 16. Josh Bailey 242
Points
1. Bryan Trottier 1353 *** 2. Mike Bossy 1126 *** 3. Denis Potvin 1052 *** 4. Clark Gillies 663 ***
5. Brent Sutter 610 *** 6. John Tavares 594
…
13. Billy Harris 443 *** 14. Kyle Okposo & Stefan Persson 369 *** 16. Josh Bailey 360
Games Played (Goalies)
1. Billy Smith 674 *** 2. Rick DiPietro 318 *** 3. Glenn Resch 282
…
6. Glenn Healy 176 *** 7. Jaroslav Halak 156 *** 8. Roland Melanson 136*** 9. Mark Fitzpatrick 129 ***
10. Garth Snow 127 *** 11. Evgeni Nabokov 123 *** 12. Thomas Greiss 112
Wins (Goalie)
1. Billy Smith 304 *** 2. Glenn Resch 157 *** 3. Rick DiPietro 130***4. Kelly Hrudey 106 ***
5. Jaroslav Halak 83 *** 6. Rollie Melanson 77*** 7. Glenn Healy 66 *** 8. Tommy Salo 62 ***
9. Thomas Greiss 59
Season Series Stats
The Isles swept the season series two games to none (and four points to zero).
On the Farm
Bridgeport is 21-15-4-2 on the season following a 3-1 win over Springfield on Wednesday as Kristers Gudlevskis made 19 saves for his second consecutive win. John Stevens, Travis St. Denis and Ben Holnstrom scored for the Sound Tigers.
Tanner Fritz (on recall to the Isles) leads Bridgeport with 37 points (10-27-37); Rookie Scott Eansor leads the team in goals with 14. Christopher Gibson is 15-8-2 in the nets with 2 shutouts.
The Sound Tigers visit Springfield on Friday and host Hershey on Saturday before the AHL hits their All-Star Break.
Up Next
TUESDAY, JANUARY 30th – FLORIDA AT ISLANDERS 7:00PM
[MSG+ (Islander pre-game at 6:30PM), WNYM 970AM, 88.7 WRHU-FM, WRCN 103.9FM]
While John Tavares and Josh Bailey will see action at the NHL's All-Star Weekend, the rest of the squad gets a break before the Isles host Florida on Saturday.
It's the second meeting of the season between the teams; a Mathew Barzal shootout tally gave the Isles a 5-4 win in Sunrise on December 4th. That win pushed the Isles to 8 games over NHL-. 500 for the second time this season.
The road team has had some success in this series in recent year. The Isles are 2-4-0 in their last six (regular season) home games against the Cats while they are 3-0-3 in their last six trips to Sunrise.
This is the front-end of a back-to-back set that concludes Wednesday in Toronto.
And Finally…
Congrats and best wishes to Islander play-by-play voice Brendan Burke. He will call the AHL All-Star Weekend from Utica. The festivities will air on NHL Network.
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
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