The Skinny: Calgary 4, Isles 2

"The Skinny"

By Eric Hornick

Game 59

Calgary 4, Isles 2

Austin Czarnik and Johnny Gaudreau scored 29 seconds apart in the third period as the Western Conference-leading Calgary Flames broke a 2-2 tie and defeated the Isles 4-2 before a crowd of 18,632 at the Scotiabank Saddledome. 

It's the first time in 18 games that the Isles have allowed four goals; the 17 straight games allowing three or less matched the club record, set in 1975-76.

The Isles fall to 11-3-2 in their last 16 games as their lead in the Metro remains three points over idle Washington.   

The Scoring:  

1st Period

Mikael Backlund (15) Michael Frolik 05:00 NYI 0,CGY 1

Travis Hamonic (5) Mikael Backlund, Elias Lindholm 15:59 NYI 0,CGY 2

2nd Period

Casey Cizikas (16) Josh Bailey, Devon Toews 10:09 NYI 1,CGY 2

3rd Period

Anders Lee (20) Jordan Eberle, Brock Nelson 01:18 NYI 2,CGY 2

Austin Czarnik (5) Mark Jankowski, Rasmus Andersson 06:10 NYI 2,CGY 3

Johnny Gaudreau (30) Mark Giordano, Sean Monahan 06:39 NYI 2,CGY 4 PPG

The Skinny      

Thomas Greiss had gone 104:22 without allowing a goal before Mikael Backlund scored 5:00 into the first period; he allowed four goals tonight after allowing three goals in prior six games…The Isles are 18-5-2 since Devon Toews joined the lineup and are 21-6-2 in their last 29 games…Anders Lee reached both the 20-goal and 40-point marks for the 3rd straight season… The Isles have matched last season's win total (35) games; including shootout winners they have scored 28 fewer goals and allowed 72 fewer goals than last year's first 59 games… The Isles have 40 points at home and 36 points on the road … For the 25th 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 and one game shy of the club record set in February-March 1976…The Isles are 5-2-0 in their last seven games…The Isles are 6-3-1 in February; they have had a winning record every month this season… The Martin-Cizikas-Clutterbuck line has started every game that the trio has played in 2019…Captain Anders Lee scored his team-leading 20th goal; it's the first time since December 23-28 that he has scored in consecutive games …. Casey Cizikas scored his 4th goal in four games and went +1; he is now +22 on the season, a mark only one Islander forward (Ryan Strome +23 in 2014-15) has reached in the last 15 years…Travis Hamonic scored his first goal against his former team…The Flames have outscored their opponents 89-49 in the third period.

Top of the Heap

The Isles are 21-5-2 in their last 28 games, matching Tampa Bay (21-4-3) for the most wins in that span.

The Isles are tied-5th in the NHL with 76 points; Toronto has an identical 76 points in 59 games.

Comeback Kings

The Isles erased a 2-0 deficit for the seventh time this season, but it's the first of the seven times they got even that they didn't win the game. 

On the season, the Isles are 6-4-0 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 13-1-1 when scoring the game's first two goals.

Strength in the Nets

Robin Lehner is 14-3-1 (1.64, .943) in his last 18 decisions. On the season, his NHL-leading GAA is 2.08 and his save percentage is .929.

Thomas Greiss is 5-1-1 in the last seven games, allowing a total of seven goals on 220 shots (5-1-1, 0.98 GAA, .968 save percentage). On the season, his GAA is 2.26 and his save percentage is .928.

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

Best Goals Against Average by An Islander in a Season

1. Chico Resch 1975-76 2.08  (2.079)

2. Robin Lehner 2018-19 2.08 (2.082)

3. Thomas Greiss 2018-19 2.26

Best Save Percentage by an Islander in a Season 

1. Robin Lehner 2018-19 .929 

2. Thomas Greiss 2018-19 .928

3. Chico Resch 1975-76 .928

4. Thomas Greiss 2015-16 .925

Oh, Canada

The Isles are finishing February with six consecutive games against Canadian opponents.  The Isles are 1-1-0 in this stretch, which matches a similar stretch in December 1980 for the most consecutive games against Canadian teams:

• 2/16 Vs Edm Oilers W 5-2

• 2/20 @ Cal Flames L 2-4

• 2/21 @ Edm Oilers

• 2/23 @ Van Canucks

• 2/26 Vs Cal Flames

• 2/28 Vs Tor Maple Leafs

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 59 Games (Post-Cup Era)

• 79: 2014-15

• 76: 2018-19

Most Points Thru 30 Road Games

• 39: 1976-77

• 37: 1977-78

• 37: 1978-79

• 36: 2018-19

Most Points Thru 29 Home Games (Post-Cup Era)

• 42: 1984-85

• 42: 2014-15

• 40: 2003-04

• 40: 2018-19

Fewest Goals Allowed Thru 59 Games (Includes SO)

• 142 2018-19

• 145 1975-76

• 145 1976-77

• 146 2003-04

• 146 2015-16

• 148 1977-78

Road Warriors

The Isles are 8-3-1 in their last 12 road games and 11-4-1 in their last 16 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) 

The Jennings Trophy is awarded based on goals allowed including shootout goals.

1. ISLES 142

2. Dallas 154

3. Boston 157

Fewest Goals Allowed This Season (excluding SO goals)

1. ISLES 137

2. Dallas 154 

3. Boston 155

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 96 assists, 135 points

Barzal's 22nd birthday is not until May.

Coach Trotz

Among active coaches, Barry Trotz has coached the most games and is 2nd to Ken Hitchcock in wins. Trotz' NHL record is 797-586-60-140 in 1,583 games. 

Most Coaching Wins

1. Scotty Bowman  1,244

2. Joel Quenneville  890

3. Ken Hitchcock    838 

4. Barry Trotz   797

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   1,583

5. Ken Hitchcock   1,575

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: 35-18-6 (76 points), with 171 goals scored and 142 goals allowed (includes SO winners)

Last Season: 28-25-6 (62 points), with 197 goals scored and 214 goals allowed (includes SO winners)

The Isles have allowed 72 fewer goals, a decrease of 33.6% as compared to last season.

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 21-7-5 when scoring first and are 14-11-1 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      3-4-12=19

Calgary 12-12-8=32

The Isles are 10-11-1 when they outshoot their opponents, 0-1-0 when the shots are even and 25-6-5 when they are outshot. [The Isles have equaled the club record for wins when being outshot, set in 1983-84 and equaled last season.]

Home and Road

The Islanders are 35-18-6 overall; 18-7-4 at home (6-1-2 on Long Island and 12-6-2 in Brooklyn) and 17-11-2 on the road.  All their remaining regular season home games are at the Nassau Coliseum.

Calgary is 37-16-7 overall; 19-5-5 at home and 18-11-2 on the road.  

By Division & Conference

The Isles are 15-5-1 in Division games and 20-13-5 in games versus other divisions.  The Isles are 21-9-5 against the East and 14-9-1 against the West.  

In the Nets

Thomas Greiss made 28 saves but falls to 17-9-2 on the season and 2-4-0 in his career against Calgary.   

Mike Smith made 17 saves and improves to 17-11-2 on the season and 6-4-0 against the Islanders. 

Power Plays

The Isles were 0-2 on the power play in 4:00 of PP time; Calgary was 1-3 on the power play in 2:42 of PP time.

The Isles are 22-2-1 when they score at least one power play goal and 13-16-5 when they do not.  The Isles are 13-11-4 when they allow at least one power play goal and 22-7-2 when they do not.

Three is a Magic Number

The Isles are 29-2-1 when they score at least three goals (including shootout winners) and are 6-16-5 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 6-0-1 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 20-18-5 when both teams are rested. 

Ice-time Leaders

Isles: Ryan Pulock (21:34); Calgary: Mark Giordano (23:53)

Josh Bailey led Isles forwards with 19:19 of ice-time.

Isles record by ice-time leader: Ryan Pulock (17-8-4), Nick Leddy (13-9-2), Scott Mayfield (5-1-0).

Face-offs

Isles 20, Calgary 26 (43%).  

Valtteri Filppula won 5 of 7 for the Isles; Sean Monahan won 6 of 8 for Calgary.

Face-offs by period: 1st period  5/13; 2nd period 6/11; 3rd period 9/22.

Face-offs by strength: Even strength: 18/40, Power play 2/3, Penalty kill 0/3.

Hit Count

Isles 31 (Matt Martin -8)  

Calgary 13 (Garnet Hathaway and Sam Bennett -4)

   

Fights

There were no fights. Season total –13 (Scott Mayfield -4, Ross Johnston-3, Matt Martin -2, Anders Lee- 2, Josh Bailey, Johnny Boychuk).  

 

Blocked Shots

The Isles blocked 20 shots (Adam Pelech -5) 

For the Corsi Crowd 

All situations: Isles 47, Calgary 68

5-on-5 Isles 40, Calgary 61

5-on-5 leaders:

Isles: Valtteri Filppula +2

Calgary: Austin Czarnik +10

Back-to-Backs

Including tonight, the Isles are 6-3-1 in the front half and 9-0-0 in the back half. This back-to-back concludes on Thursday vs. Edmonton. The next back-to-back is February 28-March 1 vs. Toronto and Washington.

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 29-16-6 in night games and 6-2-0 in matinees. The next matinee is on March 3rd vs. Philadelphia (at the Coliseum). 

Ironmen

Anders Lee 177, Brock Nelson 154, Mathew Barzal 141.  Four other Isles: Nick Leddy, Ryan Pulock, Josh Bailey and Leo Komarov have appeared in every game this season.

Scratches

(Thomas Hickey-INJ, Andrew Ladd-INJ), Luca Sbisa, Ross Johnston

Total games lost: 118

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.

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 774

Goals

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

16. Mariusz Czerkawski 145 *** 17. Anders Lee 144 *** 18. Kyle Okposo 139 ***19. Josh Bailey 137…

24. Mark Parrish, Matt Moulson and Steve Thomas 118 *** 27. Brock Nelson 117

Assists

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

11. Derek King 288 ***12. Josh Bailey 285 …

25. David Volek 154 *** 26. Mariusz Czerkawski 150 *** 27. Nick Leddy 147

Points

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

12. Patrick Flatley 488 *** 13. Billy Harris 443 *** 14. Josh Bailey 422…

23. Ed Westfall 286 *** 24. Jason Blake 258 *** 25. David Volek 249 *** 26. Anders Lee 246

Games Played (Goalies)

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

7. Glenn Healy 176 *** 8. Thomas Greiss 150

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 79

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 and Thomas Greiss 9

Season Series Stats

Calgary leads the season series one game to none (and 2 points to 0).  The teams will meet again at the Coliseum on Tuesday to conclude the season series. 

The Isles have won six of the last nine games between the teams but will need a home-ice win on Tuesday to earn a split with the Flames for the third straight season.

On the Farm  

The Sound Tigers are 6-1-1-0 in their last eight games and are 30-18-5-2 on the season following a 7-3 win on Sunday vs. Charlotte.  Josh Ho-Sang had a third period natural hat trick and added two assists on his way to AHL player of the week honors.

Andrew Ladd (0-3-3) and Thomas Hickey (1-2-3) each had three points in the second game of their rehab stints. 

Bridgeport begins another 3-in-3 weekend on Friday in Providence.

Leaders:  Goals: Otto Koivula 17 (4th among AHL rookies); Assists: Chris Bourque 31; Points: Chris Bourque 41; +/-: Otto Koivula 17 (only AHL rookie with at least 17 goals and at least +17).  Goalies: Jeremy Smith 14-9-3 (2.92 GAA); Christopher Gibson 16-9-4 (2.99 GAA)

Up Next

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 21st  –ISLANDERS AT EDMONTON 9:00PM 

[MSG+2 (Pre-game at 8:30pm), 88.7 WRHU-FM,WRCN 103.9FM, Radio.com] 

The Isles look for their tenth consecutive back-end victory and a split of their games in Alberta as they meet Edmonton for the second time in six days. 

The Isles won 5-2 on Saturday night and have earned points in the last five games against Edmonton (2-0-3); they are 4-1-3 in the last eight against the Oilers.

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