The Skinny: Buffalo 4, Isles 3

"The Skinny"

By Eric Hornick

Game 55

Buffalo 4, Isles 3

Sam Reinhart scored the winning goal with 4:14 to play as the Buffalo Sabres overcame an Islander rally from a 3-0 deficit and defeated the Isles 4-3 before a crowd of 16,872 at KeyBank Center.

Anders Lee had tied the game just 73 seconds before Reinhart's winning tally with his 28th goal of the season.  Lee's goal re-tied John Tavares for the team scoring lead; Tavares had scored his 28th goal in the second period.

 

The Scoring: 

1ST PERIOD

07:41 Buffalo Jack Eichel (22) ASST: Sam Reinhart (14), Casey Nelson (2) 0-1

13:21 Buffalo Evan Rodrigues (3) ASST: Marco Scandella (14), Sam Reinhart (15) 0-2

2ND PERIOD

07:18 Buffalo PPG - Ryan O'Reilly (16) ASST: Rasmus Ristolainen (20), Kyle Okposo (23) 0-3

13:06 New York John Tavares (28) ASST: Brock Nelson (10), Thomas Hickey (10) 1-3

3RD PERIOD

07:30 New York Ross Johnston (2) ASST: Cal Clutterbuck (9) 2-3

14:33 New York PPG - Anders Lee (28) ASST: Josh Bailey (45), Nick Leddy (24) 3-3

15:46 Buffalo Sam Reinhart (11) ASST: Evan Rodrigues (6), Jack Eichel (31) 3-4

The Skinny 

The Isles are 11-16-4 in their last 31 games … Including shootout winners, the Isles have scored 184 goals in the first 54 games (first time since 1993-94 when they had 186) and allowed 201 goals (highest since 1995-96, when they allowed 215) … The Isles, who had allowed at least 30 shots in a franchise-record 20 straight games, allowed only 22 shots on goal ..Ross Johnston's goal was his second in four NHL games this season…Robin Lehner recorded his first home win since December 22nd vs Philly…The Isles have lost 31 straight games (all in regulation) when trailing 3-0; their last point when trailing 3-0 was when they defeated the Canucks with a 7-goal third period in March 2014…. The Isles have scored a power play goal in three straight games after scoring goals in only 3 of 16 games since Christmas… Anders Lee's tying goal was his 62nd since the start of last season. He is the first Isles winger with 28 goals in successive seasons since Matt Moulson (2009-10 to 2011-12)…Tavares, Nelson, Bailey and Leddy all extended their point streaks to three games…Four of Sam Reinhart's 11 goals have been game-winners…The Isles have now outscored the opposition 66-58 in the 3rd period…Thomas Hickey was credited with an assist on his 29th birthday…This was the 1,000 regular season home win in Sabre history and only the 2nd Sabre regulation win all season when they allowed three goals (11/2 vs Arizona).

Fast Times at KeyBank Center

The game was played in just 2:16. There were only 40 face-offs, including three to open periods, seven following goals, and five following penalties.

A Rare Quiet Night for Jaro

Jaroslav Halak faced 22 shots and stopped 18; since December 1st, Halak has faced 866 shots.  This is 101 more than any other goaltender in that span (Frederik Anderson has faced 765). 

Barzal Closing in on All-time Top 3 in Isles Rookie Scoring

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 7 points to become the third highest-scoring rookie in Islander history.

Most Assists by an Islander Rookie

1. Bryan Trottier 63 1975-76

2. Stefan Persson 50 1977-78

3. Bryan Berard 40 1996-97

4. Mike Bossy 38 1977-78

Vladimir Malakhov 38 1992-93

6. MATHEW BARZAL 37 2017-18 

Denis Potvin 37 1973-74

Most Points by an Islander Rookie

1. Bryan Trottier 95 1975-76

2. Mike Bossy 91 1977-78

3. David Volek 59 1988-89

4. Stefan Persson 56 1977-78

5. Denis Potvin 54 1973-74

Pat LaFontaine 54 1984-85

John Tavares 54 2009-10

8. MATHEW BARZAL 53 2017-18 

(John Tonelli had 39 assists and 56 points in his first year with the Isles but was not a rookie due to prior WHA experience)

Countdown to 50

Josh Bailey recorded his 45th assist of the season. No Islander has had 50 assists since John Tavares reached the mark in 2011-12; Pierre Turgeon is the only Islander to exceed 50 assists in the last 28 seasons (74 in 1992-93 and 56 in 1993-94).

One and (Usually) Done

The Isles are 15-0-1 this season when leading after one period.  Dating back to last season the Isles are 22-0-2 in their last 24 games when leading after twenty minutes.  Their February 5th overtime loss to the Predators ended a 19-game winning streak when scoring first.

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.

Five's Trouble

The Isles have allowed at least five goals seven times at home (0-5-2) and fifteen times overall (0-13-2).  

First Things First

The Isles have scored first 21 times this season (17-3-1). 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 17-3-1 when they score first and are 9-20-5 when they allow the opening goal. 

This Year vs. Last Year

The Isles are 26-23-6 (58 points) this season; they were 25-20-10 (60 points) through 55 games last season.

Lots of Wins

Jaroslav Halak has 228 career wins; he is tied with Antti Niemi for 65th on the all-time NHL win list.  

Fastest to 50

Doug Weight is now 50-35-10 as an NHL coach. On February 3rd vs. the Blue Jackets, he reached 50 wins faster than any coach in Islander history:

Fewest Games to 50 Wins by an Islander Coach:

93 – Doug Weight (50-34-9)

98 – Ted Nolan 2006-07 & 2007-08 (50-36-12)

102- Terry Simpson 1986-87 & 1987-88 (50-39-13)

103– Peter Laviolette 2001-02 & 2002-03(50-39-10-4)

106—Steve Stirling 2003-04 & 2005-06 (50-40-11-5)

The Shots

Isles     10-10-9=29

Buffalo 4-10-8=22

The Isles are 7-7-3 when they outshoot their opponents, 0-1-0 when the shots are even, and 19-15-3 when they are outshot.  (The club record for wins while being outshot in one season is 25, set by the 1983-84 team)

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 26-23-6 overall; 14-8-4 at home and 12-15-2 on the road.  

Buffalo is 15-29-10 overall; 7-15-4 at home and 8-14-6 on the road.  

By Division & Conference

The Isles are 8-7-1 in Division games and 18-16-5 in games versus other divisions.   The Isles are 14-16-1 against the East and 12-7-5 against the West.  

Our House

The Isles are 14-8-4 at home; they are 7-7-0 against the East and 7-1-4 against the West.  All-time the Isles are 28-5-7 all-time at Barclays against the West.

In the Nets

Jaroslav Halak made 18 saves but falls to 16-16-4 on the season and 10-3-0 in his career against Buffalo. 

Robin Lehner made 26 saves and improves to 12-20-7 on the season and 4-3-3 in his career against the Isles. 

Power Plays

The Isles were 1-3 on the power play in 5:01 of PP time; Buffalo was 1-2 on the power play in 2:29 of PP time.

The Isles are 15-9-2 when they score at least one power play goal and 11-14-4 when they do not.  The Isles are 15-16-2 when they allow at least one power play goal and 11-7-4 when they do not.    

Three is (Usually) a Magic Number

The Isles are 24-7-3 when they score at least three goals (including shootout winners) and are 2-16-3 when they do not.  

One Goal Games

The Isles are 11-5-6 in games decided by a single goal including 3-5 in regulation. They are 5-5 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 5-6-0 on the front-end of back-to-backs and 3-7-0 on the back-end. This back-to-back concludes at home on Friday vs. Detroit. The Isles will play only one other set of back-to-backs in February (February 15 vs Rangers – February 16 in Carolina)

Tired vs. Rested

• The Isles are 1-3-0 when both teams played the night before. 

• The Isles are 6-1-0 when they are rested, and their opponents are not. 

• The Isles are 2-4-0 when their opponents are rested, and the Isles are not.

• The Isles are 16-15-6 when both teams are rested. 

Ice-time Leaders

Isles: Nick Leddy (22:48); Buffalo: Rasmus Ristolainen (27:37).

John Tavares led Isles forwards in ice-time (21:09). 

Face-offs

Isles 16, Buffalo 24 (40%).

No Islander won more than he lost; Jack Eichel won 6 of 9 for Buffalo.

 

Face-offs by period: 1st period 5/11; 2nd period 8/15; 3rd period 3/14.

Face-offs by strength: Even strength: 14/34, Power play 1/4, Penalty kill 1/2.

Hit Count

Isles 25 (Cal Clutterbuck -5)

Buffalo 23 (Rasmus Ristolainen-6)

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 9 shots (Dennis Seidenberg-3))

For the Corsi Crowd 

All situations: Isles 49, Buffalo 40.

5-on-5 Isles 39, Buffalo 29.

5-on-5 leaders:

Isles: Sebastian Aho and John Tavares +9

Buffalo: Nathan Beaulieu +9

Night and Day 

The Isles are 22-23-5 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 243 (including 106 for the Capitals), Jordan Eberle 206 (including 151 for the Oilers: 

As Isles: Jason Chimera 137, Nick Leddy 132

Century Club

Nick Leddy is only the 8th defenseman in Islander history to have played at least 130 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. Nick Leddy 10/23/2016 – CURRENT 132

8. Mark Streit 10/8/2011-4/26/2013 130

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), (Shane Prince- IR), (Scott Mayfield - IR), Alan Quine, Tanner Fritz (Injured)

Total games lost: 177

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 three times 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

2/6 – Nas Predators – Ryan Johansen (19:17); tied game and Predators 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 690** 10. John Tavares 642

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 263

…

18. Jason Blake 127 *** 19. Duane Sutter 121 *** 20. Josh Bailey, Frans Nielsen and Alexei Yashin 119 *** 23. Mark Parrish, Matt Moulson and Steve Thomas 118 *** 26. Ray Ferraro 116 *** 27. Anders Lee 111

Assists

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

5. John Tonelli 338 *** 6. John Tavares 334

…

13. Bobby Nystrom 278 *** 14. Billy Harris 259 *** 15. Tomas Jonsson 249 *** 16. Josh Bailey 245

Points

1. Bryan Trottier 1353 *** 2. Mike Bossy 1126 *** 3. Denis Potvin 1052 *** 4. Clark Gillies 663 ***

5. Brent Sutter 610 *** 6. John Tavares 597

…

13. Billy Harris 443 *** 14. Kyle Okposo & Stefan Persson 369 *** 16. Josh Bailey 364

Games Played (Goalies)

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

…

6. Glenn Healy 176 *** 7. Jaroslav Halak 160 *** 8. Roland Melanson 136*** 9. Mark Fitzpatrick 129 ***

10. Garth Snow 127 *** 11.  Evgeni Nabokov 123 *** 12. Thomas Greiss 113

Wins (Goalie)

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

5. Jaroslav Halak 84 *** 6.  Rollie Melanson 77*** 7. Glenn Healy 66 *** 8.  Tommy Salo 62 *** 

9. Thomas Greiss 59

Season Series Stats

The teams win the season series two games to one (the Isles earned four points to Buffalo's three).  

This was only the 2nd regulation loss for the Isles to Buffalo in their last 17 meetings.  Overall, the Isles are 10-2-5 in their last 17 games against the Sabres, including 5-1-3 in their last nine trips to Buffalo.  

On the Farm

Bridgeport rallied from a 4-0 third period deficit to earn a point at Hartford in a 5-4 overtime loss on Wednesday.  Steve Bernier and John Stevens scored in the final 91 seconds to force the extra session.

The Sound Tigers are 23-17-5-2 and hold 4th place (and the final playoff spot) in their division by percentage points.

Tanner Fritz (on recall to the Isles) leads Bridgeport with 37 points (10-27-37); Rookie Scott Eansor leads the team in goals with 16. Christopher Gibson is 17-9-2 in the nets with 2 shutouts.

Bridgeport returns home to host Providence on Saturday and host Syracuse on Sunday.

Up Next

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 9th –DETROIT AT ISLANDERS 7:00PM 

[MSG+ (Islander pre-game at 6:30PM), WFAN 660AM/101.9FM, 88.7 WRHU-FM]

The Red Wings will look to do what few teams have accomplished – win both games of a season series in Brooklyn as they visit the Isles on Friday.  The Red Wings were 6-3 victors back on December 19th.

The Isles are 2-4-1 in their last 7 games against Detroit.

Eric Hornick has been the statistician on Islander home game telecasts since 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