The Skinny: Boston 3, Isles 1

"The Skinny"

By Eric Hornick

Game 51

Boston 3, Isles 1

Peter Cehlarik scored the winning goal at 6:35 of the third period and Patrice Bergeron sealed his 1,000th NHL goal with an empty-netter for his second goal of the game as the Boston Bruins defeated the Isles 3-1 before another sellout crowd of 17,565 at TD Garden.   

The Isles thought that they had taken a 2-1 lead on a Cal Clutterbuck goal 4:49 into the third period but a successful offside challenge from the Bruins erased the lead goal.  Cehlarik scored less than two minutes later for Boston.

Jordan Eberle's power play goal was the Isles' only tally as they suffered their first regulation loss since January 12th (6-0-2).   

The Capitals beat Vancouver while the Penguins lost to Carolina; the Isles lead in the Metro is cut to two points over Washington and remains four points over Pittsburgh.

 

The Scoring:  

1st Period

No Goals

2nd Period

Patrice Bergeron (17) David Pastrnak, Brad Marchand 02:32 NYI 0,BOS 1

Jordan Eberle (12) Mathew Barzal, Brock Nelson 16:40 NYI 1,BOS 1 PPG

3rd Period

Peter Cehlarik (3) Kevan Miller 06:34 NYI 1,BOS 2

Patrice Bergeron (18)EN David Pastrnak, Brad Marchand 19:05 NYI 1,BOS 3

The Skinny      

The Isles are 13-3-2 since Devon Toews joined the lineup and are 16-4-2 in their last 22 games … The Isles are now 11 points ahead of last season's pace through 52 games; including shootout winners they have scored 21 fewer goals and allowed 61 fewer goals than last year's first 52 games…Jordan Eberle has scored six of his 12 goals on the power play; Eberle and Anders Lee have combined for 56% of the Isles' power play goals (14 of 25)… The Isles allowed the first goal (other than the shootout winner) for the first time since Ryan Strome scored for the Rangers on January 10th …The empty-netter ended a streak of nine straight games (not including shootouts) that the Isles allowed two goals or fewer …The Isles have 34 points at home and 32 points on the road…The Isles suffered their first regulation road loss since December 20th in Vegas….The Isles fall to 6-4-4 in games tied after two periods…David Pastrnak extended his point streak to five games; he had points on eight straight Bruin goals (one shy of the club record) before Cehlarik's winning tally...Tuukka Rask extended his point streak to 10 games (8-0-2)..

First Time in a Ridiculously Long Time

Jordan Eberle's goal got the Islanders even through forty minutes. It's the 11th straight game that the Isles have not trailed at either intermission.  It's the longest stretch of its type since 1982, when the Isles did not trail at intermission of the final 11 games of their 15-game winning streak, or the 12th game that broke the streak.  

Still on Top

The Isles are 16-4-2 in their last 22 games, giving them the most wins and the best record in the entire NHL since December 15.  

• ISLES 16-4-2

• Tampa Bay 14-4-2

• Calgary 14-4-3 

• San Jose 14-5-2

• Montreal 14-7-1 

Strength in the Nets

Robin. Lehner is 12-2-1 (1.44, .950) in his last 15 decisions. His NHL-leading GAA remains 2.02 and his NHL-leading save percentage remains .932.

Thomas Greiss is 2-0-1 in the last three games, allowing a total of one goal in 99 shots (2-0-1, 0.33 GAA, .990 save percentage).

Lehner has won 16 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 6-1-2 on Coliseum ice; they are averaging 98.1% of capacity on Long Island (including six sellouts).  The next three home games will be in Brooklyn and then the final 12 home games will be at the Coliseum.

 

Most Points Thru 52 Games (Post-Cup Era)

• 69: 2014-15

• 66: 2018-19

Most Points Thru 26 Road Games (Post-Cup Era)

• 32: 2013 (Entire season -24 games)

• 32: 2018-19

Road Warriors

The Isles are 6-1-1 in their last eight road games and 9-2-1 in their last 12 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 128

2. Dallas 134

3. Boston 136

Fewest Goals Allowed This Season (excluding SO goals)

1. ISLES 123

2. Dallas 134

3. Boston 135

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 95 assists, 132 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 792-584-60-140 in 1,576 games. 

Most Coaching Wins

1. Scotty Bowman  1,244

2. Joel Quenneville  890

3. Ken Hitchcock    837 

4. Barry Trotz   792

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   1,576

5. Ken Hitchcock   1,567

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: 30-16-6 (66 points), with 152 goals scored and 128 goals allowed (includes SO winners)

Last Season: 25-22-5 (55 points), with 173 goals scored and 189 goals allowed (includes SO winners)

Last Season (final): 35-37-10 (80 points), with 264 goals scored and 296 goals allowed (includes SO winners)

  

First Things First

The Isles are 18-7-5 when scoring first and are 12-9-1 when allowing the opening goal (which includes a 1-0 shootout loss). The Isles won 12 games all last season (12-27-5) when allowing the opening goal.

The Shots

Isles     7-11-11=29

Boston 10-9-8=27

The Isles are 8-10-1 when they outshoot their opponents, 0-1-0 when the shots are even and 22-5-5 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 30-16-6 overall; 15-7-4 at home (6-1-2 on Long Island and 9-6-2 in Brooklyn) and 15-9-2 on the road.  The Isles will play 21 games in Uniondale and 20 games in Brooklyn this season.

Boston is 29-17-7 overall; 18-7-3 at home and 11-10-4 on the road.  

By Division & Conference

The Isles are 13-5-1 in Division games and 17-11-5 in games versus other divisions.  The Isles are 19-8-5 against the East and 11-8-1 against the West.  

In the Nets

Robin Lehner made 24 saves; he falls to 16-8-4 on the season and 4-12-4 in his career against Boston.   

Tuukka Rask made 28 saves; he improves to 16-8-5 on the season and 14-5-0 in his career against the Isles.

 

Power Plays

The Isles were 1-5 on the power play in 8:55 of PP time; Boston was 0-3 on the power play in 6:00 of PP time.

The Isles are 19-2-1 when they score at least one power play goal and 11-14-5 when they do not.  The Isles are 11-10-4 when they allow at least one power play goal and 19-6-2 when they do not.

 

Three is a Magic Number

The Isles are 26-2-1 when they score at least three goals (including shootout winners) and are 4-14-5 when they do not.  

One Goal Games

The Isles are 11-4-6 in games decided by a single goal including 5-4 in regulation. They are 4-1 in games decided in overtime and are 2-5 in shootouts.  The Isles are 4-5 in games in which an empty-net goal turns a 1-goal game into a 2-goal game.

Back-to-Backs 

The Isles are 5-2-1 in the front half and 8-0-0 in the back half. The next back-to-back is February 9-10 vs. Colorado and Minnesota, with both games being played at Barclays Center.

The Isles are 8-0-0 in back-ends of back-to-backs this season, matching the club record for consecutive wins in back ends: 

• 8- October 18, 2018- CURRENT

• 8- January 22-March 14, 1976

• 8- March 26- November 22, 1978 (over two seasons)

• 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 5-0-0 when their opponents are rested, and the Isles are not.

• The Isles are 17-16-5 when both teams are rested. 

Ice-time Leaders

Isles: Nick Leddy (22:53); Boston: Zdeno Chara (23:52)

Brock Nelson led Isles forwards with 20:08 of ice-time.

Isles record by ice-time leader: Ryan Pulock (16-7-4), Nick Leddy (9-8-2), Scott Mayfield (5-1-0).

Face-offs

Isles 25, Boston 25 (50%).  

Casey Cizikas won 7 of 13 for the Isles; Sean Kuraly won 5 of 7 for Boston.

Face-offs by period: 1st period  6/18; 2nd period 10/17; 3rd period 9/15.

Face-offs by strength: Even strength: 18/39, Power play 5/7, Penalty kill 2/4.

Hit Count

Isles 23 (Adam Pelech - 5)  

Boston 25 (Noel Acciari - 5)

   

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 15 shots (Michael Dal Colle and Johnny Boychuk-3) 

For the Corsi Crowd 

All situations: Isles 52, Boston 52

5-on-5 Isles 43, Boston 43

5-on-5 leaders:

Isles: Cal Clutterbuck & Anders Lee +6

Boston: Charlie McAvoy +14

 

Night and Day

The Isles are 26-14-6 in night games and 4-2-0 in matinees. The next matinee is on February 9th vs. Colorado (in Brooklyn). 

Ironmen

Anders Lee 170, Brock Nelson 147, Mathew Barzal 134

Scratches

(Andrew Ladd – IR), (Thomas Hickey- IR),Tom Kuhnhackl, Luca Sbisa, Ross Johnston

Total games lost: 103

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

2/5 vs BOS Bruins – Isles goal overturned after successful Bruin 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 767

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 and Brock Nelson 116

Assists

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

11. Derek King 288 ***12. Josh Bailey 280 …

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 415…

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 146

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

Shutouts (Goalie)

1. Glenn Resch 25 ***2. Billy Smith 22 *** 3. Rick DiPietro 16 *** 4. Tommy Salo 14***

5. Jaroslav Halak 12 *** 6.  Evgeni Nabokov 9 *** 7. Thomas Greiss 8

Season Series Stats

Boston leads the season series two games to none (and 4 points to 0).  

 

The Bruins have won six straight games from the Isles (outscoring the Isles 20-7) since Thomas Greiss blanked the Bruins 4-0 on January 16, 2017 in Jack Capuano's final game as the Islander coach.

On the Farm 

Chris Bourque had the only goal of the shootout as the Sound Tigers improved to 26-17-4-2 on the season with a 3-2 win in Hartford on Tuesday.  Connor Jones and Jeff Kubiak scored during the game for the Sound Tigers, who begin a home-and-home series with a game in Providence on Friday night. 

Leaders:  Goals: Michael Dal Colle 16 ; Assists: Sebastian Aho 26; Points: Chris Bourque 35.  Goalies: Jeremy Smith 14-8-2 (2.96 GAA); Christopher Gibson 12-9-4 (3.04 GAA)

Up Next

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 7th –  ISLANDERS AT NEW JERSEY 7:00PM 

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

The Isles conclude the two-game road trip on Thursday in Newark as the Isles look to complete a sweep of the season series against the Devils.

The Isles won a pair of games in November, winning in Brooklyn on a Thomas Greiss shutout and in Newark on a Mathew Barzal overtime goal.  The most recent meeting was at the Coliseum on January 17th; Michael Dal Colle's first NHL goal was the winner in a 4-1 victory.  

The last time that the Isles swept the season series from the Devs was in 2014-15.

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