The Skinny: Isles 4, Los Angeles 2

"The Skinny"

By Eric Hornick

Game 51

Isles 4, Los Angeles 2

Michael Dal Colle broke a 2-2 tie with 2:23 to play as the Isles rallied from a brief third period deficit for a 4-2 win over the Los Angeles Kings before another sellout crowd of 13,917 at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum.  Fellow former first round picks Mathew Barzal and Brock Nelson also scored in the third period while Ryan Pulock (also a first rounder) assisted on all three goals in the session.

The Isles have earned points in eight straight games (6-0-2) for the first time since a 10-game streak in the 2014-15 season and improve to 8-0-0 in the back-end of back-to-backs.

The Penguins lost on Saturday while the Capitals were idle; the Isles' Metro Division lead is up to four points. 

The Scoring:  

1st Period

Casey Cizikas (12) Johnny Boychuk, Matt Martin 06:09 LAK 0,NYI 1

Anze Kopitar (15) Alex Iafallo, Dustin Brown 08:07 LAK 1,NYI 1 

2nd Period

No Goals

3rd Period

Ilya Kovalchuk (10) Dustin Brown, Anze Kopitar 13:15 LAK 2,NYI 1

Mathew Barzal (15) Ryan Pulock, Josh Bailey 13:46 LAK 2,NYI 2

Michael Dal Colle (2) Ryan Pulock, Leo Komarov 17:37 LAK 2,NYI 3

Brock Nelson (17)EN Ryan Pulock, Cal Clutterbuck 18:29 LAK 2,NYI 4

The Skinny      

The Isles are 13-2-2 since Devon Toews joined the lineup and are 16-3-2 in their last 21 games … The Isles are now 11 points ahead of last season's pace through 51 games; including shootout winners they have scored 22 fewer goals and allowed 59 fewer goals than last year's first 51 games…With the win, the Isles most four points ahead of Washington and Pittsburgh for the division lead; Tampa Bay (80) is the only other team in the East to reach 66 points…The Isles have scored first in eight of the last nine games (all but the shootout game) …The Isles have allowed two goals or fewer in nine straight games (not including shootouts) . …The Isles have 34 points at home and 32 points on the road. … The Isles had outscored their opponents 13-0 over the last 186:29 of first period play before Anze Kopitar's goal ended the streak …The Isles move 15 games over NHL-.500 for the first time since they ended the 2015-16 season with a 45-27-10 record…Both of Michael Dal Colle's NHL goals have been game-winners…The Isles have now won 30 games; it's the 2nd time in the Post-Cup era (2014-15) that they have been the first team in their division to reach 30 wins.

The Shutout Streaks Ended

• Casey Cizikas' goal was the Isles' first in 108:36.

• Anze Kopitar's goal was the first allowed by the Isles in 98:29. 

• Kopitar's goal also ended a  271:04 streak in which the Isles did not allow a 5-on-5 goal and was the first allowed by the Isles in the last 186:29 of first period play.

First Times in a Ridiculously Long Time

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

Ryan Pulock earned assists on all three goals in the third period.  He is the first Islander defensemen since Chris Campoli (10/18/2007 in Washington) to earn three assists in a period and the first to do so at home since Ken Morrow (3/9/1985 vs. Toronto).  The last Isle defensemen to earn three assists in a home 3rd period was Stefan Persson, was did so in the first game of the 15-game winning streak (1/21/1982 vs. Pittsburgh).

Passing Patty

Josh Bailey's assist was his 280th as an Islander, breaking a tie with Pat LaFontaine for 12th place on the club's all-time list.

Blackjack!

The Isles are 16-3-2 in their last 21 games, giving them the most wins and the best record in the entire NHL since December 15.   It's the first time since the 1989-90 season that they have earned at least 34 points in a stretch of 21 games.

• ISLES 16-3-2

• Tampa Bay 14-4-1

• Calgary 13-4-3

• Pittsburgh 14-7-0

Strength in the Nets

Robin. Lehner is 12-1-1 (1.39, .952) in his last 14 decisions. His NHL-leading GAA remains 2.02 as he raises his save percentage to an NHL-leading .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 51 Games (Post-Cup Era)

• 67: 2014-15

• 66: 2018-19

Most Points Thru 25 Road Games (Post-Cup Era)

• 32: 2013 (Entire season -24 games)

• 32: 2018-19

Road Warriors

The Isles are 6-0-1 in their last seven road games and 9-1-1 in their last 11 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 125

2. Dallas 130

3. Boston 135

Fewest Goals Allowed This Season (excluding SO goals)

1. ISLES 120

2. Dallas 130

3. Boston 134

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 94 assists, 131 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 792-583-60-140 in 1,575 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   1,575

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: 30-15-6 (66 points), with 151 goals scored and 125 goals allowed (includes SO winners)

Last Season: 25-21-5 (55 points), with 173 goals scored and 184 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 12-8-1 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            12-8-12=32

Los Angeles 8-13-15=36

The Isles are 8-9-1 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 30-15-6 overall; 15-7-4 at home (6-1-2 on Long Island and 9-6-2 in Brooklyn) and 15-8-2 on the road.  The Isles will play 21 games in Uniondale and 20 games in Brooklyn this season.

Los Angeles is 20-27-4 overall; 12-13-1 at home and 8-14-3 on the road.  

By Division & Conference

The Isles are 13-5-1 in Division games and 17-10-5 in games versus other divisions.  The Isles are 19-7-5 against the East and 11-8-1 against the West.  

In the Nets

Robin Lehner made 34 saves; he improves to 16-7-4 on the season and 3-5-0 in his career against Los Angeles.   

Jonathan Quick made 28 saves; he falls to 9-13-3 on the season and 5-3-2 in his career against the Isles.

Power Plays

The Isles were 0-2 on the power play in 4:00 of PP time; Los Angeles was 0-3 on the power play in 6:00 of PP time.

The Isles are 19-1-1 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 19-5-2 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 4-13-5 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 4-4 in games in which an empty-net goal turns a 1-goal game into a 2-goal game.

Back-to-Backs 

Including tonight, 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 17-15-5 when both teams are rested. 

Ice-time Leaders

Isles: Ryan Pulock (22:07); Los Angeles: Drew Doughty (27:37)

Brock Nelson led Isles forwards with 17:37 of ice-time.

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

Face-offs

Isles 28, Los Angeles 32 (47%).  

Josh Bailey won 4 of 7 for the Isles; Anze Kopitar won 12 of 19 for Los Angeles.

Face-offs by period: 1st period  8/21; 2nd period 9/15; 3rd period 11/24.

Face-offs by strength: Even strength: 25/52, Power play 1/2, Penalty kill 2/6.

Hit Count

Isles 13 (Cal Clutterbuck - 5)  

Los Angeles 16 (Dion Phaneuf- 4)

   

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 (Ryan Pulock and Mathew Barzal-3) 

For the Corsi Crowd 

All situations: Isles 52, Los Angeles 65

5-on-5 Isles 43, Los Angeles 50

5-on-5 leaders:

Isles: Nick Leddy +6

Los Angeles: Kyle Clifford and Michael Amadio +11

Night and Day

The Isles are 26-13-6 in night games and 4-2-0 in matinees. The next matinee is on February 9th vs. Colorado (in Brooklyn). 

Ironmen

Anders Lee 169, Brock Nelson 146, Mathew Barzal 133

Scratches

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

Total games lost: 101

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

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 766

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

The Isles win the season series two games to none (and 4 points to 0).  

The Isles have won their last four home games vs. Los Angeles and have won three straight overall.  It's the first time that the Isles have swept a multi-game season series from the Kings since 1998-99.

On the Farm 

The Sound Tigers improved to 25-17-4-2 on the season with a 2-1 win in Wilkes-Barre on Saturday.  Scott Eansor scored at 19:40 of the first period and to give the Sound Tigers a 2-1 advantage and Jeremy Smith made it stand up from there. The win moved the Sound Tigers back into second place in their division (one point ahead of Providence Lehigh Valley). Bridgeport heads to Hartford on Tuesday night. 

Leaders:  Goals: Michael Dal Colle 16 ; Assists: Sebastian Aho 26; Points: Chris Bourque 34.  Goalies: Jeremy Smith 14-8-2 (2.96 GAA); Christopher Gibson 11-9-4 (3.06 GAA)

Up Next

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 5th –  ISLANDERS AT BOSTON 7:00PM 

[MSG+2(Pre-game at 6:30pm), 88.7 WRHU-FM,WRCN 103.9FM, Radio.com] 

The Isles begin a two-game road trip on Tuesday in Boston against the Bruins.

It's the second meeting of the season between the teams; the Bruins won a 2-1 shootout game in Boston on November 29th; however, it was that game that jump-started Robin Lehner's season as he made 35 saves.

The Bruins have won five straight games from the Isles (outscoring the Isles 17-6) since Thomas Greiss blanked the Bruins 4-0 on January 16, 2017 in Jack Capuano's final game as the Islander coach.

And Finally…

You are reading the 553rd consecutive edition of The Skinny…and the third (and final) one to be produced in Asia! 

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