"The Skinny"
By Eric Hornick
Game 39
Isles 3, Chicago 2 (OT)
Devon Toews made the Islanders' 50th shot count. Toews' first NHL goal came 1:48 into overtime as the Isles extended their winning streak to five games with a 3-2 win over the Chicago Blackhawks before a near-sellout crowd of 13,454 at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum.
Robin Lehner made 19 saves to extend his personal winning streak to six games and lower his NHL-leading GAA to 2.13. Mathew Barzal scored both Isles goals in regulation, giving him seven of the Isles' last 12 goals before Toews' winner.
The Isles are 8-1-0 in their last nine games and have moved nine games over NHL-.500 for the first time since they ended the 2016-17 season with a 41-29-12 record.
The Scoring:
1st Period
Dominik Kahun (6) Brandon Saad, Duncan Keith 03:05 CHI 1,NYI 0
Mathew Barzal (11) Anthony Beauvillier, Johnny Boychuk 06:47 CHI 1,NYI 1
2nd Period
Mathew Barzal (12) Nick Leddy, Anders Lee 18:56 CHI 1,NYI 2 PPG
3rd Period
Patrick Kane (23) Erik Gustafsson, Jonathan Toews 05:01 CHI 2,NYI 2 PPG
OT
Devon Toews (1) Josh Bailey, Brock Nelson 01:48 CHI 2,NYI 3
The Skinny
The Isles have won five straight games for the second time this season; it's only the 2nd time in the last 11 seasons that they have had multiple win streaks of at least five games…Mathew Barzal now has eight goals in the last six games; he drew both Isles power plays (19 on the season) and finished with a career-high 8 shots on goal… Devon Toews' game-winner came in his 5th NHL game; the rookie defenseman had six shots on goal after having only seven in his first four games…The Isles now are four points ahead of last season's pace through 39 games; including shootout winners they have scored 19 fewer goals and allowed 35 fewer goals than last year's first 39 games… The Isles are a season-high nine games over NHL-.500 (22-13-4)… The win keeps the Isles in 9th place in the conference; while they are in 4th place in the Metro they are just one point behind Columbus, two points behind Pittsburgh and three points behind Washington... The Isles had 50 shots on goal; it's their most shots in a game since April 11, 2015 (52 vs. Columbus in the final game of Coliseum Era I)…All 18 Islander skaters had at least one shot on goal…Patrick Kane is one of two American-born players (Keith Tkachuk) with twelve seasons of at least 20 goals…Jonathan Toews assisted on the tying goal to extend his assist streak to five games and set the stage for Devon Toews (no relation) first NHL goal…During the Isles' current 9-game stretch (6-1-2), they have allowed only 16 goals, including only 10 at even-strength.
Howie's Stat
Devon Toews is the 372nd player in Islander history to score a goal.
First Times in a Ridiculously Long Time
Devon Toews is the first Islander to score his first NHL goal in overtime at the Coliseum since Radek Martinek in 2001; Thomas Hickey is the only other Islander to score his first NHL goal in overtime. Of the 18 players to do so in the modern era, three are Islanders.
The Isles had 50 shots, following the 48-shot effort vs. Detroit on December 15th. It's the first time since February 24-25, 1990 that the Isles have had at least 48 shots in consecutive Coliseum games. It's also the first time that they have had at least 48 shots twice in a 3-game span of home games since February 26- March 2, 2008.
The Isles outshot Chicago 50-21. It's the first time since October 25, 2008 (+32) that the Isles have outshot the opposition by at least 29 shots.
This is the 13th time in club history that the Isles have had at least 50 shots on goal at home. The Isles are 5-7-1 in those 13 games; the Isles had gone 0-6-1 in the previous seven since defeating Pittsburgh 9-0 on October 14, 1982 – the day they raised the third Cup banner.
Josh Bailey won all 11 face-offs he took. He is the first Islander to do so since Zenon Konopka also went 11-11 on January 6, 2009 in Edmonton.
A Short List
Face-off stats have been an official 'real-time" stat since 1997-98. Josh Bailey is the 4th Islander to win at least 11 draws without a loss:
• Dave Scatchard 19-0 1/21/2000 vs. New Jersey
• Frans Nielsen 12-0 11/6/2010 vs. Philadelphia
• Josh Bailey 11-0 tonight
• Zenon Konopka 11-0 1/6/2009 vs Edmonton
Streaking Lehner
Robin Lehner has won six consecutive decisions in a single season for the first time in his career (he closed the 2013-14 season with four straight wins and won the first two games the following season for a 6-game multi-season streak). Lehner has allowed only 10 goals in his last nine games (6-1-2, 1.15 GAA, .959 save percentage).
Most Points Thru 38 Games (Post-Cup Era)
• 53: 2014-15
• 48: 2018-19
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 104
Nashville 104
Fewest Goals Allowed This Season (excluding SO goals)
1. ISLES 101
2. Nashville 103
Last 30 Seasons: Most Goals by an Islander Before 22nd Birthday:
1. John Tavares 84
2. Anthony Beauvillier 41
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 89 assists, 123 points
Barzal's 22nd birthday is not until May.
USA Hockey
Anders Lee has 138 career goals, leaving him one goal behind Kyle Okposo. Okposo is 2nd on the Islander goal-scoring list among American-born players, trailing only Pat LaFontaine (287).
Coach Trotz
Among active coaches, Barry Trotz has coached the most games and is 2nd to Ken Hitchcock in wins. Trotz' NHL record is 784-581-60-138 in 1563 games.
Most Coaching Wins
1. Scotty Bowman 1244
2. Joel Quenneville 890
3. Ken Hitchcock 833
4. Barry Trotz 784
5. Al Arbour 782
Most Games Coached
1. Scotty Bowman 2141
2. Joel Quenneville 1636
3. Al Arbour 1607
4. Barry Trotz 1563
5. Ken Hitchcock 1556
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: 22-13-4 (48 points), with 117 goals scored and 104 goals allowed (includes SO winners)
Last Season: 20-15-4 (44 points), with 136 goals scored and 139 goals allowed (includes SO winners)
First Things First
The Isles are 12-5-4 when scoring first and are 10-8-0 when allowing the opening goal.
The Shots
Isles 14-16-18-2=50
Chicago 3-13-3-2=21
The Isles are 5-8-1 when they outshoot their opponents, 0-1-0 when the shots are even and 17-4-3 when they are outshot.
Home and Road
The Islanders are 22-13-4 overall; 10-5-3 at home (3-0-1 on Long Island and 7-5-2 in Brooklyn) and 12-8-1 on the road. The Isles will play 21 games in Uniondale and 20 games in Brooklyn this season.
Chicago is 15-21-7 overall; 8-9-4 at home and 7-12-3 on the road.
By Division & Conference
The Isles are 10-3-1 in Division games and 12-10-3 in games versus other divisions. The Isles are 15-5-4 against the East and 7-8-0 against the West.
In the Nets
Robin Lehner made 19 saves; he improved to 10-6-3 on the season and 1-2-1 in his career against Chicago.
Collin Delia made 47 saves ; he is 3-0-1 on the season and 0-0-1 in his career against the Isles.
Power Plays
The Isles were 1-2 on the power play in 2:21 of PP time; Chicago was 1-2 on the power play in 2:38 of PP time.
The Isles are 15-1-1 when they score at least one power play goal and 7-12-3 when they do not. The Isles are 9-9-3 when they allow at least one power play goal and 12-4-1 when they do not.
Three is a Magic Number
The Isles are 20-1-1 when they score at least three goals (including shootout winners) and are 2-12-3 when they do not.
One Goal Games
The Isles are 8-2-4 in games decided by a single goal including 3-2 in regulation. They are 3-1 in games decided in overtime and are 2-3 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 4-1-0 in the front half and 5-0-0 in the back half. The next back-to-back is January 12th vs. the Rangers and January 13th vs. Tampa Bay.
Tired vs. Rested
• The Isles are 2-0-0 when both teams played the night before.
• The Isles are 2-0-1 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 14-13-3 when both teams are rested.
Ice-time Leaders
Isles: Ryan Pulock (23:50); Chicago: Erik Gustafsson (23:56)
Brock Nelson led Isles forwards with 20:41 of ice-time.
Isles record by ice-time leader: Ryan Pulock (12-6-3), Nick Leddy (6-6-1), Scott Mayfield (4-1-0).
Face-offs
Isles 38,Chicago 20 (66%).
Josh Bailey won 11 of 11 for the Isles; David Kampf won 7 of 11 for Chicago.
Face-offs by period: 1st period 15/19; 2nd period 13/20; 3rd period 10/17; Overtime 0/2
Face-offs by strength: Even strength: 33/52, Power play 3/3, Penalty kill 2/3.
Hit Count
Isles 24 (Matt Martin -6)
Chicago 14 (John Hayden -5)
Fights
There were no fights. Season total –11 (Scott Mayfield -4, Ross Johnston-3, Josh Bailey, Johnny Boychuk, Anders Lee, Matt Martin).
Blocked Shots
The Isles blocked 14 shots (Five with 2)
For the Corsi Crowd
All situations: Isles 72, Chicago 46
5-on-5 Isles 65, Chicago 38
5-on-5 leaders:
Isles: Mathew Barzal +19
Chicago: Jonathan Toews +6
Night and Day
The Isles are 19-12-4 in night games and 3-1-0 in matinees. The next matinee is on January 12th vs. the Rangers.
Ironmen
Anders Lee 157, Brock Nelson 134, Mathew Barzal 121
Scratches
(Andrew Ladd – IR), (Thomas Hickey- IR), (Jordan Eberle-IR), (Valtteri Filppula- INJ), Ross Johnston, Luca Sbisa,
Total games lost: 77
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 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.
Comeback Kids
The Isles are 4-3-0 when trailing in a game by a 2-0 score, defeating NYR (11/15), CBJ (12/1), DET (12/8) and OTT (12.28); all four wins have been in regulation.
The Isles are 8-1-1 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 754
Goals
1. Mike Bossy 573 *** 2. Bryan Trottier 500 *** 3. Denis Potvin 310 …
16. Mariusz Czerkawski 145 *** 17. Kyle Okposo 139 *** 18. Anders Lee 138 ***19. Josh Bailey 132…
24. Mark Parrish, Matt Moulson and Steve Thomas 118 *** 27. Ray Ferraro 116 *** 28. Brock Nelson 112
Assists
1. Bryan Trottier 853 *** 2. Denis Potvin 742 *** 3. Mike Bossy 553…
12. Pat LaFontaine 279 *** 13. Bobby Nystrom 278 *** 14. Josh Bailey 276
Points
1. Bryan Trottier 1353 *** 2. Mike Bossy 1126 *** 3. Denis Potvin 1052…
12. Patrick Flatley 488 *** 13. Billy Harris 443 *** 14. Josh Bailey 408
Games Played (Goalies)
1. Billy Smith 674 *** 2. Rick DiPietro 318 *** 3. Glenn Resch 282 …
7. Glenn Healy 176 *** 8. Thomas Greiss 142
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 74
Season Series Stats
The Isles lead the season series one game to none (and 2 points to 0). The Isles will visit Chicago on January 22 in the final game before the All-Star Break.
While the Blackhawks are unbeaten at Barclays (Isles 0-2-1 in three games), the Isles are 5-0-1 in the last six games vs. Chicago at the Coliseum. The Isles have won two of three overall from Chicago, with both wins punctuated by big moments for rookie defensemen (Pulock had a 5-point game last January).
On the Farm
The Sound Tigers opened 2019 with a 5-4 shootout loss in Rochester. Tanner Fritz and Matt Gaudreau each had a goal and an assist while Jeremy Smith, the December AHL Goalie of the Month, made 25 saves. Bridgeport is 21-9-4-2 on the season and has earned points in 22 of their last 26 games (17-4-3-2). The Sound Tigers next play on Friday in Syracuse and on Saturday in Binghamton.
Leaders: Goals: Michael Dal Colle 16 ; Assists: Sebastian Aho 21; Points: Dal Colle 28. Goalies: Jeremy Smith 11-5-2 (2.68 GAA); Christopher Gibson 10-4-4 (3.06 GAA)
Up Next
SATURDAY, JANUARY 5th – ISLANDERS AT ST. LOUIS 8:00PM
[MSG+(Pre-game at 7:30pm), 88.7 WRHU-FM,WRCN 103.9FM, Radio.com]
Go West, Young Men.
The Isles head to St. Louis for a one-game Western Conference road trip as they face the Blues for the first time this season. It's the first time since October 24, 2015 that the Isles will have a one-game road trip to face a Western Conference opponent; that trip was also to St. Louis.
The Isles took three points from St. Louis in a pair of early-season games last season; the Blues won in Brooklyn in a shootout and the Isles won 5-2 in the Midwest
The Isles are 4-1-1 in the last six against the Blues; Thomas Greiss has been in the nets for all four wins.
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
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