The Skinny; Isles 3, New Jersey 0

"The Skinny"

By Eric Hornick

Game 13

Isles 3, New Jersey 0

Thomas Greiss made 35 saves for his 9th career shutout and the Isles got goals from Jordan Eberle, Brock Nelson and a shorthanded empty net tally from Scott Mayfield to defeat the New Jersey Devils 3-0 before a crowd of 11,901 at Barclays Center.

The Isles have won five straight games, all against divisional foes.  The Isles are 6-0-0 on the season against their Metro rivals, matching their best-ever start in their own division (6-0-0 vs. Patrick in 1982-83). It's the first time since November 3-December 15, 2015 that the Isles have won six straight divisional games at any point in a single season.

The Isles have earned points in six straight games (5-0-1) and take over sole possession of first place in the Metro Division.

The Scoring:

1st Period

Jordan Eberle (4) Anders Lee, Josh Bailey 07:43 NJD 0,NYI 1 PPG

2nd Period

No Goals

3rd Period

Brock Nelson (7) Josh Bailey 15:06 NJD 0,NYI 2

Scott Mayfield (2) EN 19:46 NJD 0,NYI 3  SHG

The Skinny  

Three of Jordan Eberle's goals have come on power plays.  Eberle was credited with his 2nd game-winner of the season.  Nine of his 29 goals as an Islander have been game-winners (8th in NHL in GWG's in that span); every other player in Isles history with at least 9 GW goals has scored at least 43 goals…Josh Bailey extended his point streak to eight games with two assists (2-9-11)… Brock Nelson scored his team leading 7th goal; it was his 106th career goal, breaking a tie with Ed Westfall and Benoit Hogue on the all-time Isles list…Thru 13 games, the Isles are two points ahead of last season (8-4-1 to 7-5-1) but have allowed twelve fewer goals; the 17 points in the first 13 games match the 2015-16 team for the most points thru 13 games since 2007-08 (9-4-0)…The Isles have won their last eight Metro games (going back to last season) … Taylor Hall's point streak ended at nine; he had earned a point in each Devils game played in North America this season… The Isles finished with 33 shots; it was their second-highest total of the season (35 in Anaheim) …The Isles have scored four shorthanded goals this season (Mayfield, Bailey, Cizikas, Filppula)…The Isles scored shorthanded for a second straight game (first time since January 16-19, 2017)… The Isles lowered their team GAA to 2.31… Mathew Barzal was held without a point for the second straight game, leaving him with 97 points in 97 career NHL games.  Connor McDavid is the only NHL player in the last decade to record 100 points in his first 100 NHL games

Fewest Goals Allowed Thru 13 Games

• 26- 2001-02 (11-0-1-1)

• 28- 1974-75 (7-3-3)

• 28- 1976-77 (9-2-2)

• 30- 1977-78 (6-4-3)

• 30- 2018-19 (8-4-1)

Greiss the Great

Thomas Greiss has stopped 102 of 105 shots over his last three starts (97.1 save percentage, 0.98 GAA) as he was named the game's #1 star for the second straight game.  His season numbers improved to a 1.85 GAA and a 94.1 save percentage).  He will be in the top five in the NHL in both categories when play concludes on Saturday.

Greiss picked up his 66th win as an Islander, tying Glenn Healy for 7th place on the Isles list.  He appeared in his 127th game, matching Garth Snow for 10th.  

It was Greiss' 6th shutout as an Islander and he has had at least one in each of his four seasons with the team.  He tied Chris Osgood and Kelly Hrudey for 7th place on the club's shutout list.

He has now shutout New Jersey twice in his career.(12/13/15), joining Rick DiPietro (3) and Jaroslav Halak (2) as Isles goalies who have blanked the Devs more than once.

You Can't Score on Us Here

The Isles improved to 3-1-1 in Brooklyn with their second shutout of the home season.  It's the first time since 1977 that the Isles have earned two shutouts in their first five home games  (0-0 vs. LA (Resch); 9-0 vs ATL (Smith/Hogosta)). The Isles also had two shutouts in their first five home games in 1975.

It's also the first time since 1977 that different Isles goalies have started shutouts in the first 13 games. However, Billy Smith was not credited for a shutout as Goran Hogosta played the final nine minutes.  Thus, it is the first time since 1975 (Resch -twice, Smith-once) that multiple Isles goalies have been credited with shutouts in the first 13 games.

A First for Mayfield

Scott Mayfield's shorthanded, empty net goal was the first shorty of his career. Mayfield is the first Islander defenseman to score shorthanded in just over a year (Johnny Boychuk vs. Arizona on 10/24/17).

600 Club

Johnny Boychuk played in his 600th NHL game, one game after Jordan Eberle did the same.

Metro Men

The Isles completed a perfect five game stretch against Metro opponents:

10/27 W 6-1 @ Phi Flyers

10/28 W 2-1 @ Car Hurricanes

10/30 W 6-3 @ Pitt Penguins

11/1  W 3-2 (SO) vs. Pitt Penguins 

11/3 W 3-0 Vs. NJ Devils

The next Metro game is at home against the Rangers on November 15th.

This Season vs. Last Season

This Season: 8-4-1 (17 points), with 42 goals scored and 30 goals allowed (includes SO winners)

Last Season: 7-5-1 (15 points), with 48 goals scored and 42 goals allowed (includes SO winners)

First Things First

The Isles are 7-0-1 when scoring first and 1-4-0 when allowing the opening goal. 

The Shots

Isles            9-13-11=33

New Jersey  16-8-11=35

The Isles are 0-2-0 when they outshoot their opponents and are 8-2-1 when they are outshot. 

Home and Road

The Islanders are 8-4-1 overall; 3-1-1 at home (all in Brooklyn) and 5-3-0 on the road.  The Isles will play 21 games in Uniondale and 20 games in Brooklyn this season.

New Jersey is 5-5-1 overall; 5-1-1 at home and 0-4-0 on the road.  

By Division & Conference

The Isles are 6-0-0 in Division games and 2-4-1 in games versus other divisions.  The Isles are 6-0-1 against the East and 2-4-0 against the West.  

In the Nets

Thomas Greiss made 35 saves to improve to 4-2-0 on the season and 3-4-0 in his career against New Jersey.  

Keith Kinkaid made 30 saves but falls to 5-4-1 on the season and 3-4-2 in his career against the Isles.

 

Power Plays

The Isles were 1-4 on the power play in 6:50 of PP time; New Jersey was 0-4 on the power play in 7:48 of PP time but allowed an empty net,  shorthanded goal.

The Isles are 7-1-1 when they score at least one power play goal and 1-3-0 when they do not.  The Isles are 1-2-1 when they allow at least one power play goal and 6-2-0 when they do not.    

Three is a Magic Number

The Isles are 6-1-0 when they score at least three goals (including shootout winners) and are 2-3-1 when they do not.  

One Goal Games

The Isles are 3-1-1 in games decided by a single goal including 1-1 in regulation. They are 1-1 in games decided in overtime and are 1-0 in shootouts.  The Isles are 0-0 in games in which an empty-net goal turns a 1 goal game into a 2-goal game.

Back-to-Backs 

The Isles are 1-1-0 in the front half and 2-0-0 in the back half. The next back-to-back is on Thanksgiving weekend: Black Friday in New Jersey and at home vs. New Jersey on November 23-24. 

 

Tired vs. Rested

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

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

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

• The Isles are 6-4-0 when both teams are rested. 

Ice-time Leaders

Isles: Ryan Pulock (22:57); New Jersey: Nico Hischier (20:52)

Anders Lee led Isles forwards with 18:15 of ice-time.

Isles record by ice-time leader: Ryan Pulock (6-1-1), Nick Leddy (2-3-0).

Face-offs

Isles 25, New Jersey 31 (45%).

Three Isles won 50% of their draws ;Travis Zajac won 11 of 19 for New Jersey. 

Face-offs by period: 1st period 10/20; 2nd period 9/18; 3rd period 6/18.

Face-offs by strength: Even strength: 15/41, Power play 4/6, Penalty kill 6/9

Hit Count

Isles 21 (Four with 3)  

New Jersey 20 (Blake Coleman -6)

Fights

There were no fights. Season total – 3 (Mayfield -2, Lee).  

Blocked Shots

The Isles blocked 20 shots (Three with 4).  

For the Corsi Crowd 

All situations: Isles 58, New Jersey 71 

5-on-5 Isles 45, New Jersey 49

5-on-5 leaders:

Isles: Anders Lee +6

New Jersey: Marcus Johansson +14

Matinee Isles

The Isles are 6-4-1 in night games and 2-0-0 in matinees. The next matinee is November 18th vs. Dallas.  

Ironmen

Anders Lee 131, Brock Nelson 108, Mathew Barzal 95

Scratches

(Matt Martin -injured), Luca Sbisa 

Total games lost: 9

Late Heroes

The Isles have not yet scored in the final two minutes of regulation to either tie or take the lead:

Late Goals Allowed

The Isles have allowed a goal one time in the final two minutes of regulation to either tie or win a game:

10/4 – CAR Hurricanes – Jordan Staal tied game (18:25), but Isles won in overtime.

Offside Challenges

The Isles have not challenged a goal due to an offside this season. 

All-time Islander Leader Boards:

Games Played (skaters)

1. Bryan Trottier 1123 *** 2. Denis Potvin 1060 *** 3. Bob Nystrom 900 

…

6. Mike Bossy 752 *** 7. Josh Bailey 728

Goals

1. Mike Bossy 573 *** 2. Bryan Trottier 500 *** 3. Denis Potvin 310 …

17. Kyle Okposo 139 *** 18. Anders Lee 129 ***19. Jason Blake and Josh Bailey 127 

Assists

1. Bryan Trottier 853 *** 2. Denis Potvin 742 *** 3. Mike Bossy 553…

13. Bobby Nystrom 278 *** 14. Josh Bailey 265

Points

1. Bryan Trottier 1353 *** 2. Mike Bossy 1126 *** 3. Denis Potvin 1052…

13. Billy Harris 443 *** 14. Josh Bailey 392

Games Played (Goalies)

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

10. Garth Snow and Thomas Greiss 127

Wins (Goalie)

1. Billy Smith 304 *** 2. Glenn Resch 157 *** 3. Rick DiPietro 130…

6.  Rollie Melanson 77*** 7. Glenn Healy and Thomas Greiss 66

Season Series Stats

The Isles lead the season series one game to none (and 2 points to 0).  The teams will next meet at the Prudential Center on November 23rd (Black Friday) at 4pm.

The Isles snapped a three-game losing streak vs. the Devils and improve to 9-1-0 in their last ten at home vs. New Jersey.

On the Farm

Tom Kuhnhackl scored a goal and added two assists in his Sound Tiger debut as Bridgeport earned a split of a home-and-home with Springfield with a 5-2 home-ice win on Saturday.  The Sound Tigers had dropped a 3-2 decision in Massachusetts on Friday.  Joshua Ho-Sang had a goal and three assists (all on the power play) in the two games.

Bridgeport is now 5-5-1-0; their 5-game homestand continues Sunday afternoon vs. Lehigh Valley.

Leaders:  Goals: Steve Bernier 5; Assists: Sebastian Aho/Joshua Ho-Sang 7; Points: MIchael Dal Colle 10

Up Next

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 5th   — MONTREAL AT ISLANDERS 7:00PM 

[MSG+2 (Islanders pre-game at 6:30pm), WRCN 103.9FM, 88.7 WRHU-FM, Radio.com] 

  

The Isles look for their sixth straight win as they host the Montreal Canadiens in the final game of a three game homestand.

The Isles dropped two of three to the Habs last season, winning only in Montreal as Thomas Greiss made 52 saves in an overtime win.

Over the last four seasons, the Isles are 3-9-0 vs. the Habs. Thomas Greiss owns all three Islander wins in that span; six different Canadiens have won at least once against the Isles.

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