The Skinny: Buffalo 3, Isles 1

"The Skinny"

By Eric Hornick

Game 56

Buffalo 3, Isles 1

Linus Ullmark made 24 saves and Jack Eichel set up the first two Sabre goals as the Buffalo Sabres defeated the Isles 3-1 before 16,894 at KeyBank Center.

The loss was only the second for the Isles in regulation in last 13 games (9-2-2).  

The Isles' lead in the Metro remains three points over Washington and shrinks to five points over Columbus as the Jackets beat the Caps 3-0 tonight. 

 

The Scoring:  

1st Period

Jeff Skinner (34) Jack Eichel 16:25 NYI 0,BUF 1

Casey Cizikas (13) Matt Martin, Cal Clutterbuck 19:37 NYI 1,BUF 1

2nd Period

Jason Pominville (13) Jack Eichel 06:49 NYI 1,BUF 2

3rd Period

Johan Larsson (5) Kyle Okposo, Zemgus Girgensons 17:35 NYI 1,BUF 3

The Skinny      

Casey Cizikas extended his career high in goals (13)… The Isles are 16-4-2 since Devon Toews joined the lineup and are 19-5-2 in their last 26 games … The Isles are 12 points ahead of last season's pace through 56 games; including shootout winners they have scored 30 fewer goals and allowed 71 fewer goals than last year's first 56 games… The Isles have 38 points at home and 34 points on the road … For the 22nd straight game, the Isles did not allow three goals in any period.  That's the longest (single-season) streak of its kind since the Isles went 25 games in February-March 1979…  The loss snaps the Isles' three-game winning streak – it's their fifth winning streak of at least three games this season…Jack Eichel has points in six straight games (2-6-8)…The Isles are 4-2-1 in February; they have had a winning record every month this season… Kyle Okposo has a point in his last four games against the Isles…Only Alex Ovechkin (38) has scored more goals than Jeff Skinner…Cal Clutterbuck returned to the lineup; the Martin-Cizikas-Clutterbuck line has started every game that the trio has appeared in since December 31st…The Isles did not have a power play for the first time since February 16, 2018 in Carolina…Linus Ullmark became the 18th rookie goalie to beat the Isles at least three times; Ullmark's other wins were on November 1, 2015 and April 9, 2016.  Tristan Jarry was the last rookie to beat the Isles three times.…Each team won 20 face-offs; it was the first time since February 17, 2007 (Isles 19, Devils 18) that both the Isles and their opponents won 20 or fewer draws.

Top of the Heap

The Isles are 19-5-2 in their last 26 games, giving them the most wins and the best record in the entire NHL since December 15.  

Strength in the Nets

Robin Lehner is 13-3-1 (1.62, .943) in his last 17 decisions. His NHL-leading GAA is 2.08 and his NHL-leading save percentage (minimum 19 games) is .929.

Thomas Greiss is 4-0-1 in the last five games, allowing a total of three goals on 157 shots (4-0-1, 0.58 GAA, .981 save percentage).

Lehner has won 17 games and Greiss 16.  It's only the 2nd time in the last 15 seasons that the Isles have gotten at least 16 wins from two different goalies.  Greiss won 23 games and Jaroslav Halak 18 in 2015-16.

Keeping it Close 

Neither team has had a 3-goal lead at any point in the last eight Islander games.  The Isles have not trailed by three goals at any point since a 6-2 loss in Pittsburgh on December 6th.

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).  

 

Most Points Thru 56 Games (Post-Cup Era)

• 75: 2014-15

• 72: 2018-19

Most Points Thru 28 Road Games

• 36: 1976-77

• 35: 1978-79

• 34: 2018-19

• 33: Four Times

Fewest Goals Allowed Thru 56 Games (Includes SO)

• 136 2018-19

• 137 1975-76

• 139 1976-77

• 140 2003-04

• 141 1977-78

Road Warriors

The Isles are 7-2-1 in their last ten road games and 10-3-1 in their last 14 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 136

2. Dallas 140

3. Boston 148

Fewest Goals Allowed This Season (excluding SO goals)

1. ISLES 131

2. Dallas 140

3. Boston 146

Last 30 Seasons: Most Goals by an Islander Before 22nd Birthday:

1. John Tavares 84

2. Anthony Beauvillier 43

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, 133 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 795-585-60-140 in 1,580 games. 

Most Coaching Wins

1. Scotty Bowman  1,244

2. Joel Quenneville  890

3. Ken Hitchcock    838 

4. Barry Trotz   795

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   1,580

5. Ken Hitchcock   1,571

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: 33-17-6 (72 points), with 161 goals scored and 136 goals allowed (includes SO winners)

Last Season: 27-23-6 (60 points), with 191 goals scored and 207 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 19-7-5 when scoring first and are 14-10-1 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.

Best Winning Percentage When Allowing First Goal

• 1981-82  17-8-5 .650

• 1978-79 15-10-6 .581

• 2018-19  14-10-1 .580

• 1977-78 16-11-5 .578

The Shots

Isles     8-7-10=25

Buffalo 5-5-12=22

The Isles are 10-11-1 when they outshoot their opponents, 0-1-0 when the shots are even and 23-5-5 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 33-17-6 overall; 17-7-4 at home (6-1-2 on Long Island and 11-6-2 in Brooklyn) and 16-10-2 on the road.  The Isles will play 21 games in Uniondale and 20 games in Brooklyn this season.

Buffalo is 28-21-7 overall; 17-8-4 at home and 11-13-3 on the road.  

By Division & Conference

The Isles are 14-5-1 in Division games and 19-12-5 in games versus other divisions.  The Isles are 20-9-5 against the East and 13-8-1 against the West.  

In the Nets

Robin Lehner made 19 saves but falls to 17-9-4 on the season and 2-2-2 in his career against Buffalo.   

Linus Ullmark made 24 saves and improves to 13-5-4 on the season and 3-1-0 against the Islanders. 

Power Plays

The Isles did not have a power play; Buffalo was 0-1 on the power play in 2:00 of PP time.

The Isles are 21-2-1 when they score at least one power play goal and 12-15-5 when they do not.  The Isles are 12-10-4 when they allow at least one power play goal and 21-7-2 when they do not.

Three is a Magic Number

The Isles are 27-2-1 when they score at least three goals (including shootout winners) and are 6-15-5 when they do not.  

One Goal Games

The Isles are 14-4-6 in games decided by a single goal including 6-4 in regulation. They are 5-1 in games decided in overtime and are 3-5 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.

Tired vs. Rested 

• The Isles are 4-0-0 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 19-17-5 when both teams are rested. 

Ice-time Leaders

Isles: Nick Leddy (23:32); Buffalo: Rasmus Ristolainen (23:53)

Matthew Barzal led Isles forwards with 17:24 of ice-time.

Isles record by ice-time leader: Ryan Pulock (16-7-4), Nick Leddy (12-9-2), Scott Mayfield (5-1-0).

Face-offs

Isles 20, Buffalo 20 (50%).  

Brock Nelson won 6 of 10 for the Isles; Johan Larsson won 6 of 10 for Buffalo.

Face-offs by period: 1st period  6/14; 2nd period 6/10; 3rd period 8/16.

Face-offs by strength: Even strength: 20/38, Power play 0/0, Penalty kill 0/2.

Hit Count

Isles 20 (Three with 4)  

Buffalo 13 (Two with 2)

   

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 a season-low 5 shots (Johnny Boychuk -2) 

For the Corsi Crowd 

All situations: Isles 51, Buffalo 41

5-on-5 Isles 48, Buffalo 38

5-on-5 leaders:

Isles: Adam Pelech +12

Buffalo: Jason Pominville +5

Back-to-Backs

The Isles are 6-2-1 in the front half and 9-0-0 in the back half. The next back-to-back is February 20-21 in Calgary and Edmonton

The Isles are 9-0-0 in back-ends of back-to-backs this season, establishing a new club record for consecutive wins in back ends: 

• 9- 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

Night and Day

The Isles are 27-15-6 in night games and 6-2-0 in matinees. The next matinee is on March 3rd vs. Philadelphia (at the Coliseum). 

Ironmen

Anders Lee 174, Brock Nelson 151, Mathew Barzal 138

Scratches

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

Total games lost: 113

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 Kings

The Isles are 6-3-0 when trailing in a game by a 2-0 score, defeating NYR (11/15), CBJ (12/1), DET (12/8), OTT (12/28), STL (1/5) and COL (2/9 - OT);  the first five wins were all 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 771

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 136…

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 281 …

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 417…

23. Ed Westfall 286 *** 24. Jason Blake 258 *** 25. David Volek 249 *** 26. Anders Lee 244

Games Played (Goalies)

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

7. Glenn Healy 176 *** 8. Thomas Greiss 148

Wins (Goalie)

1. Billy Smith 304 *** 2. Glenn Resch 157 *** 3. Rick DiPietro 130*** 4. Kelly Hrudey 108***

5. Jaroslav Halak 88 *** 6.  Thomas Greiss 78

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

The season series is tied one game to one (and 2 points to 2).  The teams will conclude the season series on March 30th at the Coliseum.  

 

Despite the loss, the Isles are 5-2-0 in the last seven games against the Sabres.

On the Farm  

The Sound Tigers have won four of their last five games and are 28-18-4-2 on the season. Bridgeport is off until Friday when they begin another 3-in-3 weekend in Lehigh Valley. 

Leaders:  Goals: Michael Dal Colle/Steve Bernier 16; Assists: Chris Bourque 30; Points: Chris Bourque 40.  Goalies: Jeremy Smith 14-9-2 (2.89 GAA); Christopher Gibson 14-9-4 (3.00 GAA)

Up Next

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14th – ISLANDERS AT COLUMBUS 7:00PM 

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

The Isles make their first trip of the season to Columbus as they face the Jackets for the second time this season.  The Isles defeated Columbus 3-2 in their return to the Coliseum on December 1st.

While the Isles have already finished their season series with four divisional rivals (Carolina, New Jersey, the Rangers, and Pittsburgh), this is the first of three remaining meetings with Columbus.

The Isles won three meetings at Nationwide Arena in the 2015-16 season, but are 0-4-0 over the past two seasons, having been outscored by a 24-6 margin. 

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