The Skinny: Isles 3, Carolina 0

"The Skinny"

By Eric Hornick

Game 60

Isles 3, Carolina 0   

Thomas Greiss made 45 saves for his 8th career shutout as the Islanders recorded shutouts on back-to-back nights for the first time in their history as the Islanders moved back into a playoff spot with a 3-0 blanking of the Carolina Hurricanes before a crowd of 15,448 at PNC Arena.

It's the Isles' first road shutout since Jaroslav Halak blanked Carolina on April 6th in Raleigh and the first time they had consecutive shutouts since January 16-19, 2017 vs Boston (in Jack Capuano's finale) and Dallas (in Doug Weight's coaching debut).

Doug Weight coached his 100th game; he has the best record through 100 games of any coach in Islander history.  An awarded goal for John Tavares in an empty net situation allowed him to reach 30 goals for the 4th time in his career.

 

The Scoring: 

1ST PERIOD

No Scoring

2ND PERIOD

10:06 New York Johnny Boychuk (4) ASST: Brock Nelson (11), Ross Johnston (2) 1-0

3RD PERIOD

12:00 New York Anthony Beauvillier (14) 2-0

19:28 New York EN - John Tavares (30) 3-0

The Skinny 

The Isles are 14-18-4 in their last 36 games … Including shootout winners, the Isles have scored 200 goals in the first 60 games (highest since 1993-94 when they had 201) and allowed 214 goals (first time highest since 2005-66, when they also allowed 214) … Josh Bailey played in his 695th Isles game (passing Brent Sutter for 8th place)…The Isles improve to 4-3-1 in February as they won consecutive games for the first time since a 3-game win streak in mid-January…The Isles had an opponents' goal reversed for the second straight game; Jeff Skinner's 200th career goal was overturned due to an offside...The Isles are now 9-2-2 in the game following a win over the Rangers, including 3-0-0 this season…The Isles have not allowed a goal in 133:16; the club record is 199:14 and includes the only three consecutive shutouts in Islander history (April 1998)…Nine of Anthony Beauvillier's goals have come on the road; ten have been scored since January 7th…Three of Johnny Boychuk's four goals this season, seven of his 28 Islander goals, and ten of his 47 career goals, have been game-winners.  Boychuk is 6-10-16 vs. Carolina; he has more goals, assists and points against the Canes than any other opponent… It's only the second time this season that Carolina has been shutout; however, the Canes have been held to one goal or fewer four times in the last eight games….Counting the end of the Columbus game, Islander goalies have stopped 99 straight shots…Thomas Greiss had never faced more than 32 shots in a shutout; he is now 5-1-1 in his career when facing at least 45 shots…It's the 4th time in his career that Greiss has made at least 45 saves; three of the four have happened in his last four starts.

Shutout Stats: Rewriting the History Books

It's the 11th time in Isles history that the team has recorded consecutive shutouts, but the first in which they have done so on consecutive days.  The Isles had gotten consecutive shutouts from two different goalies on two prior occasions: February 9-12, 1980 and January 20-22, 1981. Billy Smith had the first shutout in 1980 and the second in 1981, while Chico Resch had the other two.

The Isles are the first team in NHL HISTORY to record shutouts with of at least 40 shots on consecutive days and are the first team in NHL HISTORY to record consecutive shutouts of at least 45 shots. 

Most Shots Faced in a Shutout

51- Glenn Healy 1/16/00 vs. Vancouver

50- Jaroslav Halak 2/15/18 vs. NY Rangers

45- Thomas Greiss 2/16/18 @ Carolina

45- Evgeni Nabokov 2/7/12 @ Philadelphia (shootout)

The First 100 Games

Doug Weight became the 10th man to coach 100 Islander games. He has won more games (53) and earned more points (116) than any other Islander coach through 100 games.

Here are all the Isles who coached 100 games and their records through game 100:

Doug Weight 53-37-10 

Ted Nolan         51-37-12

Terry Simpson 49-38-13

Peter Laviolette 48-39-9-4

Steve Stirling 47-38-11-4

Jack Capuano     38-46-16

Scott Gordon 32-53-15

Butch Goring 30-57-11-2

Al Arbour         28-48-24

Mike Milbury 26-58-16

Lots of Rubber for Jaro

Since December 1st, Jaroslav Halak has faced 1016 shots.  This is 122 more than any other goaltender in that span (Henrik Lundqvist has faced 894). 

Barzal Is Highest Scoring Isles Rookie in 40 Years

Mathew Barzal is 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. MATHEW BARZAL 46 2017-18 

Most Points by an Islander Rookie

1. Bryan Trottier 95 1975-76

2. Mike Bossy 91 1977-78

3. MATHEW BARZAL 62 2017-18 

Over the last 10 seasons, Artemi Panarin (then with Chicago) is the only rookie with more assists than Barzal's 46.  Panarin finished his campaign with 47.  (Nicklas Backstrom had 55 assists and Patrick Kane had 51 assists in 2007-08.)

What a Good Helper!

Since January 8th, when he had five points at Madison Square Garden, Mathew Barzal has 23 points, leaving him tied with Sidney Crosby for 2nd in the league lead in points (Evgeni Malkin has 24).  Barzal has an NHL-leading 20 assists in that span, one ahead of Crosby. 

Countdown to 50

Josh Bailey has 47 assists and Mathew Barzal has 46. 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 16-2-1 this season when leading after one period.  Their February 5th overtime loss to the Predators ended a 19-game winning streak when scoring first and their February 11th regulation loss to the Flames ended a 22-0-2 streak dating back to last season in which they have earned points.

 

Five's Alive

The Isles have scored at least five goals ten times at home (9-1-0) and seventeen times overall (16-1-0). 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 eight times at home (1-5-2) and sixteen times overall (1-13-2).  

First Things First

The Isles have scored first 24 times this season (19-5-1). 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 19-5-1 when they score first and are 10-20-5 when they allow the opening goal. 

This Year vs. Last Year

The Isles are 29-25-6 (64 points) this season; they were 29-21-10 (68 points) through 60 games last season.  The Isles (and Thomas Greiss) also earned a shutout in game 60 last season, winning in Montreal.

Lots of Wins

Jaroslav Halak has 230 career wins; he is tied with Corey Crawford and Martin Biron for 62nd on the all-time NHL win list; Chico Resch owns 231 NHL wins.

Fastest to 50

Doug Weight is now 53-37-10 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       7-8-7=22

Carolina 16-12-17=45

The Isles are 7-8-3 when they outshoot their opponents, 0-1-0 when the shots are even, and 22-16-3 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 four times and been successful three times.  The Isles are 2-1-0 in games they win the challenge and are 0-0-1 in games they lose the challenge.

• 10/10 vs STL Blues – unsuccessful; Isles killed ensuing power play.

• 10/12 @ Ana Ducks – successful

• 1/15 @ Mtl Canadiens – successful 

• 2/16 @ Car Hurricanes - successful

The opponents have not yet challenged an Islander goal due to an offside this season.

Home and Road

The Islanders are 29-25-6 overall; 16-10-4 at home and 13-15-2 on the road.  

Carolina are 27-23-9 overall; 15-10-5 at home and 12-13-4 on the road.  

By Division & Conference

The Isles are 10-8-1 in Division games and 19-17-5 in games versus other divisions.   The Isles are 17-17-1 against the East and 12-8-5 against the West.  

Our House

The Isles are 16-10-4 at home; they are 9-8-0 against the East and 7-2-4 against the West.  All-time the Isles are 28-6-7 all-time at Barclays against the West.

In the Nets

Thomas Greiss made 45 saves for his 8th career shutout (and his 96th career win).  Greiss improves to 11-7-2 on the season and 5-3-1 in his career against Carolina. 

Cam Ward made 19 saves but falls to 17-8-3 on the season and 23-5-5 in his career against the Isles. 

Power Plays

The Isles did not have a power play; Carolina were 0-2 on the power play in 4:00 of PP time.

The Isles are 17-10-2 when they score at least one power play goal and 12-15-4 when they do not.  The Isles are 16-18-2 when they allow at least one power play goal and 13-7-4 when they do not.    

Three is a Magic Number

The Isles are 27-7-3 when they score at least three goals (including shootout winners) and are 2-18-3 when they do not.  

One Goal Games

The Isles are 12-6-6 in games decided by a single goal including 3-6 in regulation. They are 6-5 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 6-6-0 on the front-end of back-to-backs and 5-7-0 on the back-end. The next set of back-to-back is March 2nd vs. Montreal and March 3rd in Pittsburgh. 

Tired vs. Rested

• The Isles are 2-3-0 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 3-4-0 when their opponents are rested, and the Isles are not.

• The Isles are 17-17-6 when both teams are rested. 

Ice-time Leaders

Isles: Adam Pelech (21:31); Carolina: Jaccob Slavin (23:02)

John Tavares led Isles forwards in ice-time (18:13) 

Face-offs

Isles 21, Carolina 37 (36%).

No Islander who took multiple face-offs won more than he lost; Elias Lindholm won 12 of 18 for Carolina.

 

Face-offs by period: 1st period 9/18; 2nd period 3/12; 3rd period 9/28.

Face-offs by strength: Even strength: 18/50, Power play 0/0, Penalty kill 3/8.

Hit Count

Isles 37(Johnny Boychuk -7)

Carolina 23 (Jordan Staal -8)

Fights

There were no fights. Season total – 11: (Boychuk 2, Johnston 2, Mayfield 1, Cizikas 1, Chimera 1, Prince 1, Bailey 1, Eberle 1, Nelson 1).

Blocked Shots

The Isles blocked 27 shots (Thomas Hickey & Cal Clutterbuck -4). Every Islander except Anthony Beauvillier blocked at least one shot.

For the Corsi Crowd 

All situations: Isles 42, Carolina 92.

5-on-5 Isles 40, Carolina 70.

5-on-5 leaders:

Isles: Tanner Fritz +6

Carolina: Jaccob Slavin +21

Night and Day 

The Isles are 25-25-5 in night games and 4-0-1 in matinees.  The Isles have only one matinee remaining this season: February 19th vs Minnesota (1pm).

Ironmen

Overall: Jordan Eberle 211 (including 151 for the Oilers): 

As Isles: Nick Leddy 137, Anders Lee 96, Brock Nelson 73, Jordan Eberle/Mathew Barzal/John Tavares 60.

Top 5 Club

Nick Leddy now hold the fifth longest consecutive game streak in Islander history for a defenseman: 

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. Nick Leddy 10/23/2016 – CURRENT 137

(*) Start of NHL career.

(**) Entire career with Islanders

Scratches

(Nikolay Kulemin -IR), (Calvin deHaan-IR), (Shane Prince- IR), (Scott Mayfield - IR), Alan Quine, Jason Chimera, Dennis Seidenberg

Total games lost: 196

Late Heroes

The Isles have scored four times in the final two minutes of regulation to either tie or take the lead:

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

2/9 – DET Red Wings – Josh Bailey (18:11); took lead, Isles allowed tying goal but then won in overtime.

Late Goals Allowed

The Isles have allowed a goal five 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

2/9 – DET Red Wings – Mike Green (19:31); tied game but Isles won in overtime.

2/11- CLG Flames – Mathew Tkachuk (18:55); won game

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. Josh Bailey 695*** 9. Brent Sutter 694 *** 10. John Tavares 647

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 265

…

18. Jason Blake 127 *** 19. Duane Sutter and Josh Bailey 121 *** 21 Frans Nielsen and Alexei Yashin 119 *** 23. Mark Parrish, Matt Moulson and Steve Thomas 118 *** 26. Ray Ferraro 116 *** 27. Anders Lee 113

Assists

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

5. John Tonelli 338 *** 6. John Tavares 336

…

13. Bobby Nystrom 278 *** 14. Billy Harris 259 *** 15. Tomas Jonsson 249 *** 16. Josh Bailey 247

Points

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

5. Brent Sutter 610 *** 6. John Tavares 601

…

13. Billy Harris 443 *** 14. Kyle Okposo & Stefan Persson 369 *** 16. Josh Bailey 367

Games Played (Goalies)

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

…

6. Glenn Healy 176 *** 7. Jaroslav Halak 164 *** 8. Roland Melanson 136*** 9. Mark Fitzpatrick 129 ***

10. Garth Snow 127 *** 11.  Evgeni Nabokov 123 *** 12. Thomas Greiss 115

Wins (Goalie)

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

5. Jaroslav Halak 86 *** 6.  Rollie Melanson 77*** 7. Glenn Healy 66 *** 8.  Tommy Salo 62 *** 

9. Thomas Greiss 60

Season Series Stats

The Isles lead the season series two games to one (and four points to two).  The season series will conclude on March 18th in Brooklyn.

The Isles have beaten Carolina four times in the last five games (4-1-0), despite playing only one of the five games in Brooklyn.

On the Farm

Christopher Gibson made 30 saves for a shutout, but the Sound Tigers fell 1-0 in a shootout in Providence Bridgeport is 23-20-5-3 heading into their game at home against Hartford on Sunday afternoon. 

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 17-11-3 in the nets with 3 shutouts.

Up Next

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 19th –MINNESOTA AT ISLANDERS 1:00PM 

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

The Isles will look to earn a split of the season series as they entertain the Minnesota Wild in their final home game of the month of February.

The Wild defeated the Isles 6-4 in St. Paul; it was their second consecutive 6-4 win over the Isles. However, both of those games were at the Xcel Energy Center; the Isles have won both previous meetings at Barclays Center and are 4-1-1 in their last six home games against the Wild.

 

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