The Skinny: Isles 7, Chicago 3

"The Skinny"

By Eric Hornick

Game 48

Isles 7, Chicago 3

Stop me if you have heard this before.  An Islander rookie rewrote the team's record book. Only this time it was defenseman Ryan Pulock doing the honors.  Pulock scored a goal and added four assists as the Islanders earned their first win in Chicago since 2009, defeating the Blackhawks 7-3 before a sellout crowd of 21,882 at United Center.

Anthony Beauvillier scored twice, giving him six goals in the last six games (and a career high ten goals) while Brock Nelson recorded his first goal in 17 games as part of a three-point game as the Isles extended their road winning streak to three games.

The Scoring: 

1ST PERIOD

01:01 Chicago Patrick Kane (19) ASST: Erik Gustafsson (1), Nick Schmaltz (21) 0-1

04:35 New York PPG - Anthony Beauvillier (9) ASST: Brock Nelson (6), Ryan Pulock (7) 1-1

10:31 New York Jordan Eberle (16) ASST: Ryan Pulock (8), Mathew Barzal (33) 2-1

19:04 New York Ryan Pulock (4) ASST: Alan Quine (3), Brock Nelson (7) 3-1

2ND PERIOD

01:25 New York PPG - Anthony Beauvillier (10) ASST: Josh Bailey (40), Ryan Pulock (9) 4-1

18:27 Chicago Erik Gustafsson (1) ASST: Patrick Kane (28), Brent Seabrook (11) 4-2

3RD PERIOD

01:52 New York Brock Nelson (10) ASST: Ross Johnston (1), Ryan Pulock (10) 5-2

04:58 Chicago Patrick Kane (20) 5-3

07:10 New York Anders Lee (27) ASST: John Tavares (31), Nick Leddy (23) 6-3

10:30 New York John Tavares (26) ASST: Josh Bailey (41) 7-3

The Skinny 

The Isles allowed the opening goal for the first time in six games …The Isles are 9-13-2 in their last 24 games … Mathew Barzal assisted on Jordan Eberle's goal; Barzal has assisted on 11 of the 16 goals Eberle has scored this season and 9 of the 11 assists have been primary assists …. Eberle matched a career high with eight shots on goal (2-11-16 vs. Toronto) …Including shootout winners, the Isles have scored 168 goals in the first 48 games (first time since 1992-93 when they had 194) and allowed 176 goals (highest since 1995-96, when they allowed 183); the Isles now lead the NHL in both goals scored and goals allowed … Josh Bailey recorded his team-leading 40th and 41st assists (21 of which are primary, tops on the team) …The Isles had a season-high 46 shots. It's the most shots on goal for the Isles since March 24, 2017 in Pittsburgh when they also had 46…Patrick Kane had three points to reach 800 points on his career; Kane also reached 20 goals for the 11th consecutive season…Erik Gustafsson had his first two career points… Ross Johnston recorded his first NHL assist and his first NHL fight.  Johnston, who made his NHL debut on April 10, 2016 vs. Philadelphia, now has 19 penalty minutes in 2 NHL games…Brock Nelson recorded his 5th career game with at least three points and matched a career-high with six shots on goal… John Tavares had a goal and an assist, both in the third period.  Tavares leads all NHL players in 3rd period goals (14) and 3rd period points (26).

Pulock's Big Night

The Islander rookie defenseman rewrote the Isles record book.

• Pulock is the first Islander rookie defenseman to record five points in a game (1-4-5), breaking a record shared by Denis Potvin (twice) and Jeff Norton, who each had four points as a rookie.

• Pulock's 4 assists also ties Norton for the most by an Islander rookie defenseman while his 5 points ties the club record for points by any Islander rookie.

• Pulock also tied the Islander rookie defenseman record with 3 points in a period; he is the first to do so since Bryan Berard did so on December 10, 1996 vs Phoenix.

• Pulock tied the club record for points by a defenseman (5), done five times by Denis Potvin, and once each by Stefan Persson and Uwe Krupp.

Pulock also made his entry in the NHL record book, becoming only the 10th rookie defenseman with at least five points in a game (only one of the ten, Gary Suter, had a sixth point).

Pulock is the sixth rookie to have five points in a game in the last 11 seasons (John Tavares, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Connor McDavid and Mathew Barzal-twice).  The last rookie defenseman with five points was Alexandre Picard on 2/1/2007 for Philadelphia.

Turn The Power On

Both of Anthony Beauvillier's goals came on the power play. He is the second Islander this season (Nick Leddy vs. Colorado on November 5) to score two power play goals in a game.  Beauvillier joins John Tavares as the only Islanders in the last 30 years to score 2 power play goals in a game played before their 21st birthday; Tavares did it four times.

49 in 50 (or 49 in 48)

Mathew Barzal played in his 50th NHL game and recorded his 49th point. It is the most points an NHL player has had in his first 50 career games since Evgeni Malkin had 59 points in his first 50 games in 2006-07.  Alex Ovechkin (65 points) and Sidney Crosby (58 points) are the only other players in the last 22 years to have 49 points in their first 50 career games.

Barzal has 49 points in 48 games this season; Since 1996-97, Malkin, Ovechkin and 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 49 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 11 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

4 David Volek 34 1988-89

5 MATHEW BARZAL 33 2017-18 

First Time in a (Ridiculously) Long Time

The Isles have scored 19 goals in their last three road games and 23 goals in the last four road games.  It is the most goals that they have scored in a span of three road games since January 1990 when they scored 20 and matches the most that they have scored in a span of four road games (single season) in the post-Cup era.

Saturday Isles 

The Isles are now 11-1-0 this season on Saturday with six games to play.  They are 4-0-0 at home and 7-1-0 on the road.  The Isles are 13-19-4 on other days of the week.

NHL Leading Goal Scorers

1. Alex Ovechkin 28

2. Anders Lee 27

        Nikita Kucherov 27

4. John Tavares 26

        Sean Couturier 26

Closing in on Career Highs

Josh Bailey had two assists, giving him three in two games since returning from injury. Bailey is now 12-41-53 on the season, leaving him two assists and three points shy of his career highs.  Only Jakub Voracek (45) has more assists this season than Josh.

Bailey is also two assists shy of another mark.  No Islander winger has had multiple seasons with 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 19 times this season (16-3-0). 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 16-3-0 when they score first and are 8-17-4 when they allow the opening goal. 

This Year vs. Last Year

The Isles are 24-20-4 (52 points) this season; they were 22-17-9 (53 points) through 48 games last season.

Lots of Wins

Jaroslav Halak recorded his 226th career win, passing Ken Wregget for 67th place on the all-time NHL win list.  He is one win behind former Isles Dwayne Roloson for 66th place.

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 48-32-8 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     19-14-13=46

Chicago 13-8-18=39

The Isles are 7-6-2 when they outshoot their opponents, 0-1-0 when the shots are even, and 17-13-2 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 24-20-4 overall; 13-7-3 at home and 11-13-1 on the road.  

Chicago is 22-18-6 overall; 12-9-2 at home and 10-9-4 on the road.  

By Division & Conference

The Isles are 7-7-1 in Division games and 17-13-3 in games versus other divisions.   The Isles are 13-13-1 against the East and 11-7-3 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 36 saves to improve to 14-14-2 on the season and 8-1-3 in his career against Chicago. 

Anton Forsberg made 30 saves before being replaced after Brock Nelson's goal. Forsberg falls to 3-7-3 on the season and 0-3-0 in his career against the Isles. Jeff Glass made nine saves in relief.

Power Plays

The Isles were 2-4 on the power play in 7:23 of PP time; Chicago was 0-1 in 2:00 of PP time.

The Isles are 14-8-1 when they score at least one power play goal and 10-12-3 when they do not.  The Isles are 13-15-2 when they allow at least one power play goal and 11-5-2 when they do not.    

Three is a Magic Number

The Isles are 23-6-2 when they score at least three goals (including shootout winners) and are 1-14-2 when they do not.  

One Goal Games

The Isles are 9-4-4 in games decided by a single goal including 1-4 in regulation. They are 5-3 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

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 15-13-4 when both teams are rested. 

Ice-time Leaders

Isles: Nick Leddy (24:03); Chicago: Duncan Keith (24:40).

Anthony Beauvillier led Isles forwards in ice-time (19:30). 

Face-offs

Isles 32, Chicago 42 (43%) 

Anthony Beauvillier was the only Islander to win more than 50%, as he won 3 of 4; Jonathan Toews won 15 of 24 for Chicago.

Face-offs by period: 1st period 11/26; 2nd period 10/19; 3rd period 11/29.

Face-offs by strength: Even strength: 27/65, Power play 4/7, Penalty kill 1/2.

Hit Count

Isles 29 (Nick Leddy 4, Tanner Fritz 4)

Chicago 26 (Patrick Sharp 4)

Fights

Ross Johnson fought Ryan Hartman in the third period; it was Johnston's first NHL fight. 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 23 shots (Nick Leddy-6).

For the Corsi Crowd 

All situations: Isles 70, Chicago 69.

5-on-5 Isles 59, Chicago 63.

5-on-5 leaders:

Isles: Ryan Pulock and Brock Nelson +5

Chicago: Brandon Saad +16

Night and Day 

The Isles are 20-20-3 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 236 (including 106 for the Capitals), Jordan Eberle 199 (including 151 for the Oilers). 

As Isles: Jason Chimera 130, Nick Leddy 125.

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 125

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: 141

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 683 *** 10. Derek King 638 *** 11. John Tavares 635

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 241

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 359

Games Played (Goalies)

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

…

6. Glenn Healy 176 *** 7. Jaroslav Halak 154 *** 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 82 *** 6.  Rollie Melanson 77*** 7. Glenn Healy 66 *** 8.  Tommy Salo 62 *** 

9. Thomas Greiss 59

Season Series Stats

The Isles lead the season series one game to none (and two points to zero).  

This was the first Islander win over the Hawks since a 3-2 victory on December 13, 2014 at Nassau Coliseum (ending a 5-game losing streak); the Isles had gone 0-4-2 in six trips to Chicago since Peter Mannino beat the Hawks 4-2 on March 15, 2009 for his only NHL win.

The Isles will look to sweep the season series when they host Chicago on March 24th.

On the Farm

Bridgeport is 19-15-4-2 on the season following a 3-2 loss over Providence on Saturday. Josh Ho-Sang had a goal and an assist and was named the game's first star. Christopher Gibson made 25 saves for the win.

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 host Toronto on Sunday at 5pm. 

Up Next

MONDAY, JANUARY 22nd – ISLANDERS AT ARIZONA 9:030PM 

[MSG+ (Islander pre-game at 8:30PM), WNYM 970AM, 88.7 WRHU-FM, WRCN 103.9FM]

The Isles look to sweep the season series as they head to Gila River Arena to face the Coyotes. 

The Isles defeated Arizona 5-3 back at Barclays Center on October 24th; it was the Isles fifth straight home win against the Desert Dogs and extended an Islander point streak to eight games (7-0-1) against the Coyotes at home.

It's been a different story in the desert, however.  The Isles are 2-5-1 in their last eight trips to Arizona, with a Jaroslav Halak 1-0 shutout win in 2014 being their only regulation win in that stretch.

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