"The Skinny"
By Eric Hornick
Game 49
Chicago 3, Isles 2 (SO)
This time it was Chicago's Toews that was the hero. Jonathan Toews scored the tying goal late in the 2nd period and then added the deciding goal in the shootout as the Chicago Blackhawks rallied from 1-0 and 2-1 deficits for a 3-2 shootout win over the Isles before a sellout crowd of 21,330 at the United Center.
The Isles extended their point streak to six games but see their winning streak end at 5. The Isles will enter the NHL's All-Star Break in first place in the Metropolitan Division for the first time since 2015.
Dylan Strome snapped the Isles' shutout streak with a 5-on-3 goal in the second period. It was the first goal allowed by the Isles in 158:58.
Coupled with the Capitals' overtime loss to San Jose, the Isles maintain their three-point lead in the Division. It's the latest in a season since March 9, 2015 that the Isles have had a lead of at least three points.
The Scoring:
1st Period
Valtteri Filppula (11) 02:19 NYI 1,CHI 0
2nd Period
Dylan Strome (12) Patrick Kane, Alex DeBrincat 06:05 NYI 1,CHI 1 PPG
Mathew Barzal (14) 07:33 NYI 2,CHI 1
Jonathan Toews (22) Alex DeBrincat, Dylan Strome 19:38 NYI 2,CHI 2 PPG
3rd Period
No Goals
OT
No Goals
The Shootout:
Jonathan Toews (G/GDG) - Josh Bailey (NG)
Patrick Kane (G) - Mathew Barzal (NG)
The Skinny
The Isles are 12-2-1 since Devon Toews joined the lineup (he had the winner vs. Chicago on Long Island earlier this month) and are 15-3-1 in their last 19 games; it's the first time since the 1989-90 season that the Isles have won 15 games in an 18-game stretch… The Isles remain ten points ahead of last season's pace through 49 games; including shootout winners they have scored 23 fewer goals and allowed 57 fewer goals than last year's first 48 games…With the point, the Isles remain three points ahead of Washington for the division lead; Tampa Bay (76) is the only other team in the East to reach 63 points.…The Isles scored first for the seventh straight game…The Hawks scored two goals in the actual game, preventing the Isles from establishing a club record of allowing one goal or fewer for the sixth straight game. …The Isles have 32 points on the road and 31 points at home. … Both Hawks goals came on the power play; the Isles entered the game having killed 15 straight… The Isles scored the only goal of the first period; they have outscored their opponents 12-0 over the last 158:22 of first period play …The Isles have had three distinct win streaks of at least five games this season (5, 6, and 5); it's the third time in franchise history that's happened (three times in 1978-79 and four times in 1981-82)…The Isles remain 14 games over NHL-.500 for the first time since they ended the 2015-16 season with a 45-27-10 record.…The Isles finish 8-2-1 in January; they have been above NHL-.500 each month this season.
Time for a Break
The Isles are 15-3-1 in their last 19 games, giving them the most wins and the best record in the entire NHL since December 15.
• ISLES 15-3-1
• Calgary 13-3-3
• San Jose 12-5-2
Strength in the Nets
Robin. Lehner is 11-1-1 (1.34, .953) in his last 13 decisions. He lowered his GAA to an NHL-leading 2.02 and raised his save percentage to .931.
Thomas Greiss has won two straight games, allowing a total of one goal (2-0-0, 0.50 GAA, .983 save percentage).
Lehner has won 15 games and Greiss 14. It's only the 2nd time in the last 15 seasons that the Isles have gotten at least 14 wins from two different goalies. Greiss won 23 games and Jaroslav Halak 18 in 2015-16.
It's Good to be Home
The Isles are 5-1-1 on Coliseum ice; they are averaging 97.5% of capacity on Long Island (including four sellouts). 14 of their remaining 17 home games will be at the Coliseum.
Most Points Thru 49 Games (Post-Cup Era)
• 65: 2014-15
• 63: 2018-19
Most Points Thru 25 Road Games (Post-Cup Era)
• 32: 2013 (Entire season -24 games)
• 32: 2018-19
Road Warriors
The shootout loss snapped the Isles six game road win streak. However, the Isles are 6-0-1 in their last seven and 9-1-1 in their last 11 road games.
Worst to First
The Isles allowed the most goals in the NHL last season. Here's where they are this season:
Fewest Goals Allowed This Season (Including SO goals)
1. ISLES 122
2. Boston 128
3. Dallas 128
Fewest Goals Allowed This Season (excluding SO goals)
1. ISLES 118
2. Boston 128
3. Dallas 128
Last 30 Seasons: Most Goals by an Islander Before 22nd Birthday:
1. John Tavares 84
2. Anthony Beauvillier 42
Beauvillier's 22nd birthday is not until June.
Last 30 Seasons: Most Assists and Points by an Islander Before 22nd Birthday:
1. John Tavares 118 assists, 202 points
2. Mathew Barzal 94 assists, 130 points
Barzal's 22nd birthday is not until May.
Most 3+ Point Games by an Islander Before Age 22
• 34 Bryan Trottier
• 18 John Tavares
• 16 Denis Potvin
• 14 Mike Bossy
• 12 Mathew Barzal
• 12 Pat LaFontaine
Coach Trotz
Among active coaches, Barry Trotz has coached the most games and is 2nd to Ken Hitchcock in wins. Trotz' NHL record is 791-583-60-139 in 1,573 games.
Most Coaching Wins
1. Scotty Bowman 1,244
2. Joel Quenneville 890
3. Ken Hitchcock 837
4. Barry Trotz 791
5. Al Arbour 782
Most Games Coached
1. Scotty Bowman 2,141
2. Joel Quenneville 1,636
3. Al Arbour 1,607
4. Barry Trotz 1,573
5. Ken Hitchcock 1,565
Trotz will catch Al Arbour in games coached on Opening Night next season. If Quenneville doesn't return to coaching Trotz would pass him sometime in December 2019.
This Season vs. Last Season
This Season: 29-15-5 (63 points), with 147 goals scored and 122 goals allowed (includes SO winners)
Last Season: 24-20-5 (53 points), with 170 goals scored and 179 goals allowed (includes SO winners)
First Things First
The Isles are 17-7-5 when scoring first and are 12-8-0 when allowing the opening goal. The Isles won 12 games all last season (12-27-5) when allowing the opening goal.
The Shots
Isles 13-7-12-4=36
Chicago 9-18-10-3=40
The Isles are 8-9-1 when they outshoot their opponents, 0-1-0 when the shots are even and 21-5-4 when they are outshot. [The club record for wins when being outshot is 25, set in 1983-84 and equaled last season.]
Home and Road
The Islanders are 29-15-5 overall; 14-7-3 at home (5-1-1 on Long Island and 9-6-2 in Brooklyn) and 15-8-2 on the road. The Isles will play 21 games in Uniondale and 20 games in Brooklyn this season.
Chicago is 18-24-9 overall; 10-10-6 at home and 8-14-3 on the road.
By Division & Conference
The Isles are 13-5-1 in Division games and 16-10-4 in games versus other divisions. The Isles are 19-7-4 against the East and 10-8-1 against the West.
In the Nets
Robin Lehner made 38 saves; he is 15-7-4 on the season and 1-2-2 in his career against Chicago.
Cam Ward made 34 saves and improves to 8-8-4 on the season and 24-5-5 in his career against the Isles.
Power Plays
The Isles were 0-2 on the power play in 4:00 of PP time; Chicago was 2-3 on the power play in 3:07 of PP time.
The Isles are 19-1-1 when they score at least one power play goal and 10-14-4 when they do not. The Isles are 10-10-4 when they allow at least one power play goal and 18-5-1 when they do not.
Three is a Magic Number
The Isles are 25-2-1 when they score at least three goals (including shootout winners) and are 4-13-4 when they do not.
One Goal Games
The Isles are 11-4-5 in games decided by a single goal including 5-4 in regulation. They are 4-1 in games decided in overtime and are 2-4 in shootouts. The Isles are 3-4 in games in which an empty-net goal turns a 1-goal game into a 2-goal game.
Back-to-Backs
The Isles are 5-2-0 in the front half and 7-0-0 in the back half. The next back-to-back is February 1-2 vs. Tampa Bay and Los Angeles, with both games being played at the Coliseum.
The Isles are 7-0-0 in back-ends of back-to-backs this season. It's the first time that the Isles have opened a season with seven straight back-end wins and the first time since 1981 that they have done so at any time.
Longest Winning Streaks in Back Ends:
• 8 -January 22-March 14, 1976
• 8- March 26- November 22, 1978 (over two seasons)
• 7- October 18, 2018- CURRENT
• 7-February 28- November 11, 1981 (over two seasons)
• 7-November 12, 1980 – January 3, 1981
Tired vs. Rested
• The Isles are 3-0-0 when both teams played the night before.
• The Isles are 5-0-1 when they are rested, and their opponents are not.
• The Isles are 4-0-0 when their opponents are rested, and the Isles are not.
• The Isles are 17-15-4 when both teams are rested.
Ice-time Leaders
Isles: Ryan Pulock (22:04); Chicago: Patrick Kane (25:29)
Brock Nelson led Isles forwards with 20:15 of ice-time.
Isles record by ice-time leader: Ryan Pulock (15-7-4), Nick Leddy (9-7-1), Scott Mayfield (4-1-0).
Face-offs
Isles 27, Chicago 28 (49%).
Brock Nelson won 12 of 22 for the Isles; Artem Anisimov won 6 of 10 for Chicago.
Face-offs by period: 1st period 11/18; 2nd period 6/20; 3rd period 9/15; overtime ½.
Face-offs by strength: Even strength: 24/48, Power play 3/4, Penalty kill 0/3.
Hit Count
Isles 22 (Nick Leddy & Ryan Pulock-4)
Chicago 16 (Three with 3)
Fights
There were no fights. Season total –12 (Scott Mayfield -4, Ross Johnston-3, Matt Martin -2, Josh Bailey, Johnny Boychuk, Anders Lee).
Blocked Shots
The Isles blocked 16 shots (Ryan Pulock-4)
For the Corsi Crowd
All situations: Isles 71, Chicago 69
5-on-5 Isles 59, Chicago 54
5-on-5 leaders:
Isles: Johnny Boychuk +10
Chicago: Brandon Saad +8
Night and Day
The Isles are 25-13-5 in night games and 4-2-0 in matinees. The next matinee is on February 9th vs. Colorado (in Brooklyn).
Ironmen
Anders Lee 167, Brock Nelson 144, Mathew Barzal 131
Scratches
(Andrew Ladd – IR), (Thomas Hickey- IR),Tom Kuhnhackl, Luca Sbisa, Ross Johnston
Total games lost: 97
Late Heroes
The Isles have scored once in the final two minutes of regulation to either tie or take the lead:
1/10- NY Rangers-Josh Bailey scored the winning goal (18:34)
Late Goals Allowed
The Isles have allowed a goal four times 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.
11/8 – TB Lightning – Tyler Johnson scored the winning goal (18:34)
11/23 – NJ Devils – Marcus Johansson tied game (19:49), but Isles won in overtime.
12/15- DET Red Wings – Thomas Vanek tied game (18:57), but Isles won in a shootout.
Offside Challenges
12/8 vs DET Red Wings – Red Wings goal overturned after successful Isles challenge.
12/20 vs VEG Golden Knights – Golden Knights goal overturned after successful Isles challenge.
1/8 vs CAR Hurricanes – Isles goal overturned after successful Hurricane challenge
Comeback Kids
The Isles are 5-3-0 when trailing in a game by a 2-0 score, defeating NYR (11/15), CBJ (12/1), DET (12/8),OTT (12/28) and STL (1/5); all five wins have been in regulation.
The Isles are 12-1-1 when scoring the game's first two goals.
All-time Islander Leader Boards:
Games Played (skaters)
1. Bryan Trottier 1123 *** 2. Denis Potvin 1060 *** 3. Bob Nystrom 900 *** 4. Clark Gillies 872 ***
5. Bob Bourne 814***6. Josh Bailey 764
Goals
1. Mike Bossy 573 *** 2. Bryan Trottier 500 *** 3. Denis Potvin 310 …
16. Mariusz Czerkawski 145 *** 17. Anders Lee 142 *** 18. Kyle Okposo 139 ***19. Josh Bailey 135…
24. Mark Parrish, Matt Moulson and Steve Thomas 118 *** 27. Ray Ferraro 116 *** 28. Brock Nelson 115
Assists
1. Bryan Trottier 853 *** 2. Denis Potvin 742 *** 3. Mike Bossy 553…
11. Derek King 288 ***12. Pat LaFontaine 279 and Josh Bailey 278 …
25. David Volek 154 *** 26. Mariusz Czerkawski 150 *** 27. Nick Leddy 146
Points
1. Bryan Trottier 1353 *** 2. Mike Bossy 1126 *** 3. Denis Potvin 1052…
12. Patrick Flatley 488 *** 13. Billy Harris 443 *** 14. Josh Bailey 414…
23. Ed Westfall 286 *** 24. Jason Blake 258 *** 25. David Volek 249 *** 26. Anders Lee 243
Games Played (Goalies)
1. Billy Smith 674 *** 2. Rick DiPietro 318 *** 3. Glenn Resch 282 …
7. Glenn Healy 176 *** 8. Thomas Greiss 145
Wins (Goalie)
1. Billy Smith 304 *** 2. Glenn Resch 157 *** 3. Rick DiPietro 130*** 4. Kelly Hrudey 108***
5. Jaroslav Halak 88 *** 6. Rollie Melanson 77*** 7. Thomas Greiss 76
Season Series Stats
The teams split the season series one game to one (and 3 points to 3).
The Isles are 1-4-3 in their last eight games in Chicago.
On the Farm
The Sound Tigers was 23-15-4-2 on the season following a 4-1 loss to Hershey on Monday. Their homestand continues with a 10:30AM game on Wednesday against Wilkes-Barre.
Leaders: Goals: Michael Dal Colle 16 ; Assists: Josh Ho-Sang 24; Points: Dal Colle 28. Goalies: Jeremy Smith 12-8-2 (2.97 GAA); Christopher Gibson 11-7-4 (2.95GAA)
Up Next
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 1st – TAMPA BAY AT ISLANDERS AT NASSAU COLISEUM 7:00PM
[MSG+(Pre-game at 6:30pm), 88.7 WRHU-FM,WRCN 103.9FM, Radio.com]
The Isles begin the second half of the season by facing the only team in the East with a better record, the Tampa Bay Lightning.
It's the rubber match of the season series between the teams. Tampa won at home in November on a later Tyler Johnson goal; the Isles scored three goals in the first five minutes for a win in Brooklyn in January.
And Finally…
You are reading the 551st consecutive edition of The Skinny…and the first one ever produced in Southeast Asia. Enjoy the break!
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