The Skinny: Isles 2, New Jersey 1 (shootout)

"The Skinny"

By Eric Hornick

Game 53

Isles 2, New Jersey 1 (shootout)

Thomas Greiss made 30 saves and Josh Bailey scored the only goal of the shootout as the Isles completed a season sweep of the Devils with a 2-1 victory before 13,265 at Prudential Center.

Mathew Barzal scored the only Islander goal in regulation, extending his point streak to three games.

The Isles are 7-1-2 in their last 10 games. 

The Capitals beat Colorado while the Penguins lost to Florida (both in overtime); the Isles lead in the Metro remains two points over Washington and increase to five points over Pittsburgh.

 

The Scoring:  

1st Period

Kevin Rooney (2) Kurtis Gabriel, Jesper Bratt 05:32 NYI 0,NJD 1

Mathew Barzal (16) Ryan Pulock, Brock Nelson 13:42 NYI 1,NJD 1

2nd Period

No Goals

3rd Period

No Goals

OT

No Goals

The Shootout

Kyle Palmieri (NG) - Jordan Eberle (NG)

Nico Hischier (NG) - Mathew Barzal(NG)

Drew Stafford(NG) - Brock Nelson(NG)

Jesper Bratt(NG) -  Josh Bailey (G/GDG)

It's Josh Bailey's 6th career game deciding goal; six of his nine shootout tallies have been deciding goals…All three of Bailey's shootout goals this year have been vs. divisional rivals (Pittsburgh 2, New Jersey 1)…It's the 77th shootout win in Isles history, tying the Rangers (who won their 77th on Wednesday) for the most in the NHL…Bailey has three of the four goals that the Isles have scored in their eight shootouts this season… Only Frans Nielsen (17), Kyle Okposo (9) and Miroslav Satan (7) have more career game deciding goals for the Isles than Josh Bailey (6)…The Isles have converted on only 4 of their 29 shootout attempts this season…The Isles are 9-3 all-time in shootouts against the Devils.

The Skinny      

The Isles are 14-3-2 since Devon Toews joined the lineup and are 17-4-2 in their last 23 games; it's the first time since the 1981-82 season that the Isles have earned at least 36 points in a 23-game span … The Isles remain 11 points ahead of last season's pace through 53 games; including shootout winners they have scored 23 fewer goals and allowed 63 fewer goals than last year's first 52 games… The Isles allowed the first goal for the second straight game. The Isles have allowed one goal or fewer in 0 of the last 10 games with the only exception being a 3-1 loss to Boston [where the third goal was an empty-netter]…Ryan Pulock's assist on the Isles goal was his 20th of the season. Pulock, who leads all Isles defensemen in assists and points, is two assists shy of his career high…Mathew Barzal and Brock Nelson extended their point streaks to three games…The Isles have 34 points at home and 34 points on the road… The Isles improved to 7-4-4 in games tied after two periods… The Isles' penalty kill is a perfect 10-10 over the last four games…The Isles dressed the same 18 skaters for the tenth straight game…Kevin Rooney's goal (his 2nd NHL goal) ended Thomas Greiss' shutout streak at 152:20, just 8:17 shy of his career high and 26:09 shy of Chico Resch's club record…For the 19th 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 21 games in January – February 1983.…The Isles won only 16 face-offs; it's only the 9th time since real-time scoring was introduced in 1997-98 that they won that few in a game.

The Injury

Cal Clutterbuck left the game with an injury early in the second period. He did not return.

This Makes the Intermissions Easier

The Isles have not trailed at either intermission in twelve straight games.  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.  

Top of the Heap

The Isles are 17-4-2 in their last 23 games, giving them the most wins and the best record in the entire NHL since December 15.  

• ISLES 17-4-2

• San Jose 15-5-2

• Montreal 15-7-1 

• Tampa Bay 14-4-3

• Calgary 14-5-3 

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 3-0-1 in the last four games, allowing a total of two goals in 130 shots (3-0-1, 0.48 GAA, .985 save percentage).

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

Moving on Up

Thomas Greiss recorded his 77th win as an Islander, matching Roland Melanson's total for 6th place on the all-time team list.

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 53 Games (Post-Cup Era)

• 69: 2014-15

• 68: 2018-19

Most Points Thru 27 Road Games

• 36: 1976-77

• 34: 2018-19

• 33: 1978-79

• 33: 1980-81

Fewest Goals Allowed Thru 53 Games (Includes SO)

• 129 2018-19

• 130 1975-76

• 133 1976-77

• 133 1977-78

• 133 2003-04

• 134 2015-16

Road Warriors

The Isles are 7-1-1 in their last nine road games and 10-2-1 in their last 13 road games. The 21 points in 13 games match the club record for a 13-game stretch (done several times, including earlier this season).

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 129

2. Dallas 137

3. Boston 140

Fewest Goals Allowed This Season (excluding SO goals)

1. ISLES 124

2. Dallas 137

3. Boston 138

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, 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 793-584-60-140 in 1,577 games. 

Most Coaching Wins

1. Scotty Bowman  1,244

2. Joel Quenneville  890

3. Ken Hitchcock    838 

4. Barry Trotz   793

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   1,577

5. Ken Hitchcock   1,570

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: 31-16-6 (68 points), with 154 goals scored and 129 goals allowed (includes SO winners)

Last Season: 26-22-5 (57 points), with 177 goals scored and 192 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 13-9-1 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           9-7-9-3=28

New Jersey 11-8-11-1=31

The Isles are 8-10-1 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 31-16-6 overall; 15-7-4 at home (6-1-2 on Long Island and 9-6-2 in Brooklyn) and 16-9-2 on the road.  The Isles will play 21 games in Uniondale and 20 games in Brooklyn this season.

New Jersey is 20-25-8 overall; 13-8-5 at home and 7-17-3 on the road.  

By Division & Conference

The Isles are 14-5-1 in Division games and 17-11-5 in games versus other divisions.  The Isles are 20-8-5 against the East and 11-8-1 against the West.  

In the Nets

Thomas Greiss made 30 saves; he improves to 15-8-2 on the season and 5-4-0 in his career against New Jersey.   Greiss is 11-10 all-time in shootouts.

Cory Schneider made 25 saves; he is 0-5-2 on the season and 3-5-3 against the Islanders. Schneider has won only 15 of 43 career shootouts.

Three is (Usually) a Magic Number

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

One Goal Games

The Isles are 12-4-6 in games decided by a single goal including 5-4 in regulation. They are 4-1 in games decided in overtime and are 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.

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 18-16-5 when both teams are rested. 

Ice-time Leaders

Isles: Nick Leddy (23:42); New Jersey: Marcus Johansson (24:32)

Brock Nelson led Isles forwards with 20:10 of ice-time.

Isles record by ice-time leader: Ryan Pulock (16-7-4), Nick Leddy (10-8-2), Scott Mayfield (5-1-0).

Face-offs

Isles 16, New Jersey 29 (36%).  

Casey Cizikas won 6 of 12 for the Isles but his teammates won only 10 of 33; Travis Zajac won 8 of 11 for New Jersey.

Face-offs by period: 1st period  3/9; 2nd period 6/20; 3rd period 6/12; overtime 1/4.

Face-offs by strength: Even strength: 14/34, Power play 1/6, Penalty kill 1/5.

Hit Count

Isles 23 (Matt Martin -8)  

New Jersey 31 (Kurtis Gabriel -8)

   

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 10 shots (Three with 2) 

For the Corsi Crowd 

All situations: Isles 53, New Jersey 51

5-on-5 Isles 35, New Jersey 33

5-on-5 leaders:

Isles: Josh Bailey +11

New Jersey: Jesper Bratt +7

 

Night and Day

The Isles are 27-14-6 in night games and 4-2-0 in matinees. The next matinee is on February 9th vs. Colorado (in Brooklyn). 

Ironmen

Anders Lee 171, Brock Nelson 148, Mathew Barzal 135

Scratches

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

Total games lost: 105

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 768

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 147

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 and Thomas Greiss 77

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 Isles win the season series four games to none (and 8 points to 2).  

 

The Isles swept the season series from New Jersey for the first time since 2014-15.

On the Farm 

The Sound Tigers are 26-17-4-2 on the season as they begin a home-and-home series with a game in Providence on Friday night. It's also the first of a three-game in three-day weekend for the Sound Tigers which concludes on Sunday afternoon vs. Utica.

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

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 9th – COLORADO AT ISLANDERS AT BARCLAYS CENTER 1:00PM 

[MSG+(Pre-game at 12:30pm), 88.7 WRHU-FM,WRCN 103.9FM, Radio.com] 

The Isles return home for a back-to-back set of home games as they face Colorado on Saturday afternoon.  

The Isles will be looking to sweep the season series, having won in Denver 4-1 back on December 17th.  The Isles are a perfect 3-0-0 vs. Colorado in Brooklyn, scoring 16 goals in the three games, and are 10-1-0 over the last 20 years in home games against the Avs.

 

The Isles will look to win their 9th straight back-end on Sunday afternoon vs. Minnesota. 

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