The Skinny: Isles 5, New Jersey 4 (SO)

"The Skinny"

By Eric Hornick

Game 43   

Isles 5, New Jersey 4 (OT)

Sebastian Aho scored his first NHL goal and then assisted on Cal Clutterbuck's tying goal as the Islanders rallied from a 4-2 deficit in the third period to defeat the New Jersey Devils 5-4 in a shootout before a crowd of 15,136 at Barclays Center.

Brock Nelson converted the only goal of the shootout to give the Isles their first victory since December 27th and snap a 5-game losing streak.  Jaroslav Halak stopped 42 shots during the game, and all five Devils attempts in the shootout to earn the victory.  The Devils are winless in five straight (0-2-3).

The Scoring: 

1ST PERIOD

15:28 New York Anders Lee (25) ASST: Ryan Pulock (6), Thomas Hickey (6) 1-0

2ND PERIOD

04:43 New Jersey Travis Zajac (4) ASST: Marcus Johansson (6), Sami Vatanen (8) 1-1

10:44 New York Anthony Beauvillier (5) ASST: Mathew Barzal (25), Jordan Eberle (16) 2-1

16:25 New Jersey SHG - Travis Zajac (5) ASST: Brian Gibbons (10) 2-2

3RD PERIOD

02:41 New Jersey Miles Wood (11) ASST: Will Butcher (23), Taylor Hall (27) 2-3

03:18 New Jersey Taylor Hall (15) ASST: John Moore (6), Miles Wood (8) 2-4

07:58 New York PPG - Sebastian Aho (1) ASST: John Tavares (29), Mathew Barzal (26) 3-4

15:43 New York Cal Clutterbuck (7) ASST: Sebastian Aho (1), Brock Nelson (5) 4-4

OT PERIOD

No Scoring

The Shootout:

New York Missed - Jordan Eberle  New Jersey Missed - Taylor Hall

New York Missed - John Tavares New Jersey Missed - Jesper Bratt

New York Missed - Mathew Barzal New Jersey Missed - Kyle Palmieri

New York Missed - Anders Lee New Jersey Missed - Brian Boyle

New York Goal - Brock Nelson (Game Deciding Goal) New Jersey Missed - Brian Gibbons

The Isles improve to 74-57 all-time in shootouts, including 3-1 this season.  It was the second shootout winner of Nelson's career (4-13-2014 @ Buffalo).  Only Pittsburgh (75) has more shootout wins than the Isles.

The Skinny 

After an early Devils goal was reversed, the Isles who were outshot 15-1 in the opening six minutes, scored the opening goal for only the 15th time this season… Including shootout winners, the Isles have scored 146 goals in the first 43 games (first time since 1993-94 when they had 153) and allowed 158 goals (highest since 1995-96, when they allowed 161)…The Isles allowed their 9th shorthanded goal  (most in NHL and most by the Isles since 2007-08); it was the first shorty they have allowed since November 28th vs. Vancouver … The Isles have allowed at least one third period goal in 19 straight games; it's the longest such streak since they allowed a goal in 21 third periods over parts of two seasons (2011-12 & 2012-13) …. The Isles are 6-11-2 in their last 19 games… The Isles are 5-5-1 in their last 11 home games…The Isles have been outscored 14-2 in the last five second periods…John Tavares won 18 face-offs, a season high.  It's the 8th time in his career that JT has won at least 18 draws…The Isles won a game that they trailed by two goals for the third time this season (11/24 @ Philadelphia, 12/14 vs. Los Angeles); all three wins have been in OT/SO…The Isles improved to 14-1-0 when they score first, 12-0-0 when they lead after one period and 4-2-2 when they are tied after two periods…Mathew Barzal had two assists (25/26) as he extended his rookie lead over Will Butcher (23).  It was his 3rd multi-assist game and 8th multi-point game….In the last 21 years only one Islander rookie (John Tavares -30 in 2009/10) has had more assists than Barzal…With their wins this afternoon, the Isles and Flyers tied Carolina for the final playoff spot…Josh Bailey missed his first game since November 8, 2015 (191 games) and Andrew Ladd missed his first in nearly a year (79 games)…Miles Wood had a goal and an assist; he now has 4 points in 5 games against his dad's former team… This was the Isles' first win since December 27th; they had not had a lead at any point in the five games in the interim…Cal Clutterbuck had 3 goals in the last 3 games…The Isles were outshot 21-10 in the first period; they have been outshot 494-418 in the first period this season…Anthony Beauvillier, who scored two goals for Bridgeport on Friday, scored his 5th NHL goal.

Join the Club

Sebastian Aho became the 364th Islander to score a goal.  He later added an assist to become the first Islander with a goal and an assist in one of his first three NHL games since Kael Mouilleriat did so on February 24, 2015 (vs Arizona).  The last Islander defenseman to do so was Vladimir Malakhov (10-17-92 vs NYR)

Look at Me, I'm Anders Lee!

Anders Lee reached 25 goals on the season; it's the third time in his four NHL seasons that he has done so. Only two Islander left wings (Clark Gillies -7 times & John Tonelli -4 times) have done so more often.

It's the earliest an Islander has scored 25 goals since Pat LaFontaine did so in 1989-90.  

One and Done

The Isles are 12-0-0 this season when leading after one period.  Dating back to last season the Isles have won 16 straight games and are 19-0-1 in their last 20 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 thirteen times overall (12-1-0). 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.

Five's Trouble

The Isles have allowed at least five goals five times at home (0-4-1) and twelve times overall (0-11-1).  They have allowed at least five goals in four of their five regulation losses at home.

First Things First

The Isles have scored first fifteen times this season (14-1-0). 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 14-1-0 when they score first and are 7-17-4 when they allow the opening goal. 

This Year vs. Last Year

The Isles are 21-18-4 this season; they were 18-17-8 through 43 games last season.

Lots of Wins

Jaroslav Halak recorded his 224th career win, leaving him one win shy of Ken Wregget for 67th place on the all-time NHL win list.   

Greiss, Greiss, Baby

Thomas Greiss is 9-6-2 on the season, including 6-4-0 in his last nine decisions.

Fastest to 45

Doug Weight is now 45-30-8 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            10-12-12-4=38

New Jersey 21-13-12-0=46

The Isles are 6-6-2 when they outshoot their opponents, 0-1-0 when the shots are even, and 15-11-2 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.

Home and Road

The Islanders are 21-18-4 overall; 13-5-3 at home and 8-13-1 on the road.  

New Jersey is 22-11-8 overall; 12-5-3 at home and 10-6-5 on the road.  

By Division & Conference

The Isles are 6-6-1 in Division games and 15-12-3 in games versus other divisions.   The Isles are 11-11-1 against the East and 10-7-3 against the West.  

Our House

The Isles are 13-5-3 at home; they are 6-4-0 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 42 saves and improves to 12-12-2 on the season and 12-4-2 in his career against New Jersey. Jaro is 31-28 in his career in shootouts.

Cory Schneider made 34 saves.  He is 17-9-5 on the season and 3-6-1 in his career against the Isles. He is 15-26 in his career in shootouts.

Power Plays

The Isles were 1-3 on the power play in 5:52 of PP time (but allowed a shorthanded goal); New Jersey was 0-5-in 10:00 of PP time (including 2:00 in overtime). 

The Isles are 13-8-1 when they score at least one power play goal and 8-10-3 when they do not.  The Isles are 11-13-2 when they allow at least one power play goal and 10-5-2 when they do not.    

Three is a Magic Number

The Isles are 20-6-2 when they score at least three goals (including shootout winners) and are 1-12-2 when they do not.  

One Goal Games

The Isles are 8-4-4 in games decided by a single goal including 1-4 in regulation. They are 4-3 in games decided in overtime and are 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

Including tonight, the Isles are 4-4-0 on the front-end of back-to-backs and 3-5-0 on the back-end. The next back-to-back set is January 15th in Montreal and January 16th vs. New Jersey.

Tired vs. Rested

• The Isles are 1-3-0 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 12-13-4 when both teams are rested. 

Ice-time Leaders

Isles: Nick Leddy (27:15); New Jersey: Taylor Hall (23:53)

Isles record by ice-time leaders: Johnny Boychuk (4-1-1), Nick Leddy (12-15-2), John Tavares (2-1-0), Calvin deHaan (2-0-0), Dennis Seidenberg (1-0-0).

John Tavares led the forwards in ice-time (23:47). Isles record by Forward ice-time leaders: John Tavares (18-11-4), Josh Bailey (2-1-0), Brock Nelson (0-1-0), Mathew Barzal (0-3-0), Andrew Ladd (1-1-0), Anders Lee (1-0-0).

Face-offs

Isles 37, New Jersey 31 (54%) 

John Tavares won 18 of 25 for the Isles; No Devils who took at least more than three faceoffs won more than he lost.

Face-offs by period: 1st period 10/18; 2nd period 14/22; 3rd period 9/21; Overtime 4/7.

Face-offs by strength: Even strength: 27/52, Power play 5/6; Penalty kill 5/10.

Hit Count

Isles 25 (Casey Cizikas -6)

New Jersey 16 (Blake Coleman -4)

Fights

There were no fights. Season total – 7: (Boychuk 1, Mayfield 1, Cizikas 1, Chimera 1, Prince 1, Bailey 1, Eberle 1).

Blocked Shots

The Isles blocked 14 shots (Nick Leddy-4).

For the Corsi Crowd 

All situations: Isles 65, New Jersey 68.

5-on-5 Isles 52, New Jersey 41.

5-on-5 leaders:

Isles: Alan Quine +15

New Jersey: Kyle Palmieri and Taylor Hall +3

Night and Day 

The Isles are 18-18-3 in night games and 3-0-1 in matinees.  The Isles, who went 2-3-1 in matinees last season, will play six matinees this season; the remaining ones are January 13th at the Rangers and February 19th vs Minnesota (both 1pm).

Ironmen

Overall: Jason Chimera 231 (including 106 for the Capitals), Jordan Eberle 194 (including 151 for the Oilers: 

As Isles: Jason Chimera 125, Nick Leddy 120.

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 120

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), (Josh Bailey – Injured), (Andrew Ladd-injured), Dennis Seidenberg

Total games lost: 112

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 681 *** 10. Derek King 638 *** 11. John Tavares 630

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 257

…

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 108

Assists

1. Bryan Trottier 853 *** 2. Denis Potvin 742 *** 3. Mike Bossy 553*** 4. Clark Gillies 359***

5. John Tonelli 338 *** 6. John Tavares 331

…

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 588

…

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 150 *** 8. Roland Melanson 136*** 9. Mark Fitzpatrick 129 ***

10. Garth Snow 127 *** 11.  Evgeni Nabokov 123 *** 12. Thomas Greiss 111

Wins (Goalie)

1. Billy Smith 304 *** 2. Glenn Resch 157 *** 3. Rick DiPietro 130***4. Kelly Hrudey 106 ***

5. Jaroslav Halak 80 *** 6.  Rollie Melanson 77*** 7. Glenn Healy 66 *** 8.  Tommy Salo 62 *** 

9. Thomas Greiss 58

Season Series Stats

The Isles lead the season series one game to none (and two points to one).  The teams will next meet in Brooklyn on January 16th.

The Isles have done very well against New Jersey in recent years.  The Isles have won their last 8 home games vs New Jersey (including all five in Brooklyn) and are 13-1-1 in their last 15 overall against the Devs.

On the Farm

Bridgeport is 16-13-4-1 on the season following a 6-1 loss in Toronto on Saturday.  Kyle Burroughs had the only goal for the Sound Tigers.

Tanner Fritz led Bridgeport with 35 points (10-25-35) at the time of his recall; Rookie Scott Eansor leads the team in goals with 13. Christopher Gibson is 12-7-2 in the nets with 2 shutouts.

The Sound Tigers host Hershey on Wednesday.  After the Isles victory, the team returned Tanner Fritz, Sebastian Aho and Anthony Beauvillier to Bridgeport.

Up Next

SATURDAY, JANUARY 13th –ISLANDERS AT RANGERS 1:00PM 

[MSG+ (Islanders pre-game at 12:30PM), WFAN 660AM/101.9FM, 88.7 WRHU-FM]

After both the Islanders and Rangers complete their bye weeks, they will meet for the second time this season; like the October 19th meeting, this game will be at Madison Square Garden.

Mathew Barzal will always remember that first meeting; he scored his first NHL goal in that game.

The Isles are 8-1-0 in their last nine games against the Rangers; it's the first time that they have won 8 of 9 in regular season play from the Rangers.  The Isles have also gone 9-2-0 in their last 11 games at Madison Square Garden.  That streak began with a February 14, 2013 shootout win.

The remaining meetings will be in Brooklyn on February 15th and April 5th.

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