The Skinny: Isles 7, Rangers 2

"The Skinny"

By Eric Hornick

Game 44  

Isles 7, Rangers 2

Where to begin?  How about here?  Anthony Beauvillier and Mathew Barzal each scored two goals and finished +5 on the afternoon and linemate Jordan Eberle added a career-high four assists as the Islanders defeated the Rangers 7-2 before a sellout crowd of 18,006 at Madison Square Garden.

It's the first time this season that the Islanders have scored 7 goals in a game. Jaroslav Halak made 37 saves as the Islanders extended their winning streak at The Garden to three straight games.

The Scoring: 

1ST PERIOD

06:06 New York Anthony Beauvillier (6) ASST: Jordan Eberle (17), Mathew Barzal (27) 1-0

14:25 NYR PPG - Kevin Hayes (10) ASST: Rick Nash (9) 1-1

16:25 New York Shane Prince (1) ASST: Scott Mayfield (9) 2-1

2ND PERIOD

00:37 New York Mathew Barzal (14) ASST: Jordan Eberle (18), Scott Mayfield (10) 3-1

04:11 New York Mathew Barzal (15) ASST: Anthony Beauvillier (4), Jordan Eberle (19) 4-1

06:51 New York Anthony Beauvillier (7) ASST: John Tavares (30), Thomas Hickey (7) 5-1

3RD PERIOD

09:05 NYR Mika Zibanejad (14) ASST: Mats Zuccarello (24), Ryan McDonagh (19) 5-2

16:06 New York Thomas Hickey (2) ASST: Jordan Eberle (20), Mathew Barzal (28) 6-2

18:55 New York Cal Clutterbuck (8) ASST: Jason Chimera (7), Mathew Barzal (29) 7-2

The Skinny 

The Isles scored the opening goal for the second straight game and only the 16th time this season… Shane Prince scored his first goal since December 31, 2016…Anthony Beauvillier recorded his first career multi-goal game and his first career three-point game… The Isles improved to 7-11-2 in their last 20 games with their first road win since December 4th… After being outscored 14-2 in the prior five second periods, the Isles scored three goals in the first 6:51 of the 2nd period to essentially put the game away.…John Tavares won 17 face-offs, one game after winning a season high 18 draws …The Isles improved to 15-1-0 when they score first, 13-0-0 when they lead after one period and 15-0-0 when they lead after two periods…Mathew Barzal had two goals and three assists (27/28/29) as he extended his rookie lead over Will Butcher (24). Barzal also regained the lead in rookie points from Brock Boeser (44-40).  It was his 4th multi-assist game and 9th multi-point game…. In the last 21 years, only one Islander rookie (John Tavares -30 in 2009/10) has had more assists than Barzal… Cal Clutterbuck has 4 goals in the last 4 games… Anthony Beauvillier has three goals in the last two games…Thomas Hickey's goal was his first since December 4th…Jaroslav Halak faced at least 35 shots for the ninth straight start (4-4-1)... Including shootout winners, the Isles have scored 153 goals in the first 44 games (first time since 1993-94 when they had 156) and allowed 160 goals (highest since 1995-96, when they allowed 165)… The Isles have allowed at least one third period goal in 20 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) ….John Tavares' assist was his 30th; he has had at least 30 assists in every full season of his career…Scott Mayfield had two assists to match a career high…After Saturday's play, one point separates FIVE  teams in the Metropolitan Division (and five points separates SEVEN teams)…This was only the fourth Ranger regulation loss in their last 18 home games (13-4-1) …Mats Zuccarello's assist was his 200th NHL assist.  He is the first Norwegian to reach that milestone.

Lucky Sevens

The Isles scored seven goals on the road for the first time since they used a 7-goal third period to do so in Vancouver on March 10, 2014.  It is only the 2nd time that they have done so against the Rangers in the last 30 years (12-3-2006, also at MSG) and matches the most goals that an Islander team has ever scored at The Garden.

The 7-2 victory matches the Isles largest win EVER at MSG (7-2 on November 22, 1981).

The(Latest) Injury

Casey Cizikas left the game in the second period with a lower body injury.  He did not return.

These Kids Are Alright

Anthony Beauvillier and Mathew Barzal each scored twice, and both were +5.  They are the first Islander teammates under the age of 21 to EVER score multiple goals in the same game.

The Isles have not had a single player score two goals and go +5 in the same game since Niklas Andersson did so against Phoenix on December 10, 1996; Beauvillier and Barzal were born about 6 months later (Barzal 5-26-97, Beauvillier 6-8-97).

Beauvillier and Barzal are the first pair of Isles to go +5 in the same game since November 21, 2002 when Dave Scatchard and Jason Wiemer did so in Tampa Bay. 

Barzal's History Lesson

Mathew Barzal recorded his second five-point game of his rookie campaign.  The only other players in NHL history to do so are:

• The three Stastny brothers (all for Quebec in the early 80's) 

• Bryan Trottier for the Islanders in 1975-76, and 

• Joe Malone and Cy Denneny, who both did it in the NHL's first season (1917-18).

Barzal also tied the Islander rookie record with five points.  He is the first Islander rookie to record five points in a game against the Rangers and is the first Islander of any experience level to have five points in a game at Madison Square Garden.

A Very Helping Hand

Mathew Barzal now has five assists in the last two games, and leads all rookies with 29 assists.  

Most Assists by an Islander Rookie, Post-Cup Era 

Rk Player A Season

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 Pat Flatley 31 1984-85

6 Jeff Norton 30 1988-89

7 John Tavares 30 2009-10

8 MATHEW BARZAL 29 2017-18

Most Seasons With 30+ Assists

1. Denis Potvin 15

2. Bryan Trottier 13

3. Mike Bossy 10

4. JOHN TAVARES 8

       John Tonelli 8

Dal Colle Debut

Michael Dal Colle played 13:33 in his NHL debut.  Dal Colle was the 5th overall pick in 2014 and the third Islander to debut in the last 2 weeks (Tanner Fritz, Sebastian Aho).

Our Swedish Fans

A group of Swedish Islander fans continued a tradition of watching an Islander matinee in a group back in Sweden.  This one had a happier ending, as the Islanders recorded a victory for the first time in the eight games (1-5-2).

One and Done

The Isles are 13-0-0 this season when leading after one period.  Dating back to last season the Isles have won 17 straight games and are 20-0-1 in their last 21 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 fourteen times overall (13-1-0). 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 sixteen times this season (15-1-0). 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 15-1-0 when they score first and are 7-17-4 when they allow the opening goal. 

This Year vs. Last Year

The Isles are 22-18-4 this season; they were 19-17-8 through 44 games last season.

Lots of Wins

Jaroslav Halak recorded his 225th career win, tying 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 46-30-8 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       14-11-12=37

Rangers 16-10-13=39

The Isles are 6-6-2 when they outshoot their opponents, 0-1-0 when the shots are even, and 16-11-2 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 yet challenged an Islander goal due to an offside this season.

Home and Road

The Islanders are 22-18-4 overall; 13-5-3 at home and 9-13-1 on the road.  

The Rangers are 22-16-5 overall; 15-8-3 at home and 7-8-2 on the road.  

By Division & Conference

The Isles are 7-6-1 in Division games and 15-12-3 in games versus other divisions.   The Isles are 12-11-1 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 37 saves and improves to 13-12-2 on the season and 16-7-0 in his career against Rangers. 

Ondrej Pavelec made 15 saves before being chased following the Isles' 5th goal.  He is 3-6-1 on the season and 4-8-3 in his career against the Isles. Henrik Lundqvist made only his 11th career relief appearance; he stopped 15 of 17 shots.

Power Plays

The Isles were 0-2 on the power play in 4:00 of PP time; Rangers was 1-3-in 4:54 of PP time (including an :18 5-on-3.

The Isles are 13-8-1 when they score at least one power play goal and 9-10-3 when they do not.  The Isles are 12-13-2 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 21-6-2 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

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. Rangers.

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 13-13-4 when both teams are rested. 

Ice-time Leaders

Isles: Nick Leddy (22:23); Rangers: Ryan McDonagh (24:39

Isles record by ice-time leaders: Johnny Boychuk (4-1-1), Nick Leddy (13-15-2), John Tavares (2-1-0), Calvin deHaan (2-0-0), Dennis Seidenberg (1-0-0).

John Tavares led the forwards in ice-time (20:42). Isles record by Forward ice-time leaders: John Tavares (19-11-4), 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 30, Rangers 34 (47%) 

John Tavares won 17 of 27 for the Isles; Mika Zibanejad won 14 of 20 for the Rangers.

Face-offs by period: 1st period 12/26; 2nd period 12/22; 3rd period 6/16.

Face-offs by strength: Even strength: 23/54, Power play 4/4; Penalty kill 3/6.

Hit Count

Isles 25 (Cal Clutterbuck -4)

Rangers 28 (JT Miller & Jesper Fast -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 21 shots (Ryan Pulock-5).

For the Corsi Crowd 

All situations: Isles 66, Rangers 78.

5-on-5 Isles 57, Rangers 57.

5-on-5 leaders:

Isles: Nick Leddy +9

Rangers: Ryan Pulock Rick Nash +9

Night and Day 

The Isles are 18-18-3 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 232 (including 106 for the Capitals), Jordan Eberle 195 (including 151 for the Oilers: 

As Isles: Jason Chimera 126, Nick Leddy 121.

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 121

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: 117

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 631

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 332

…

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 589

…

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 151 *** 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 81 *** 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 two games to none (and four points to one).  The teams will next meet in Brooklyn on February 15th.

The Isles are 5-0-0 in their last five games and 9-1-0 in their last ten games against the Rangers; it's the first time that they have won 9 of 10 in regular season play from the Rangers.  The Isles have also gone 10-2-0 in their last 12 games at Madison Square Garden.  That streak began with a February 14, 2013 shootout win.

On the Farm

Bridgeport is 18-13-4-2 on the season after going 2-0-0-1 this week.  The Sound Tigers lost a shootout to Hartford on Wednesday, before rebounding for back-to-back wins over Providence (the latter also in a shootout.

Tanner Fritz leads Bridgeport with 37 points (10-27-37); Rookie Scott Eansor leads the team in goals with 13. Christopher Gibson is 14-7-2 in the nets with 2 shutouts.

The Sound Tigers have a busy week ahead of them as they head to Charlotte for games on Tuesday and Wednesday, before hosting Providence on Saturday and Toronto on Sunday.  The games with the Checkers will be very important as the teams are currently neck-and-neck for the final playoff spot.

Up Next

MONDAY, JANUARY 15th –ISLANDERS AT MONTREAL 7:30PM 

[NBCSN (pre-game at 6:30PM), WNYM 970, 88.7 WRHU-FM, WRCN 103.9FM]

The Isles conclude the road trip and open a set of back-to-backs as they travel to Montreal to face the Canadiens. It will be the Isles' appearance on NBCSN this season.

It's the first meeting of the season between the teams.  Last year, the Isles won the final two meetings to capture the season series after dropping the prior seven match-ups between the squads. The Isles won those two games by a combined 6-1 score, including a 3-0 win in Montreal behind a Thomas Greiss shutout and an Anthony Beauvillier tally.

Islander TV voice Brendan Burke will call the game for NBCSN along with Brian Boucher.  It's the first time since February 7, 1998, when Howie Rose and Chico Resch called an Islander-Devil game, that the Islanders' TV voice will call a national telecast of an Islander game. 

The teams will play a home-and-home series February 28th (in Montreal) – March 2nd (in Brooklyn) to complete the season series.

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