The Skinny: Isles 5, Edmonton 2

"The Skinny"

By Eric Hornick

Game 58

Isles 5, Edmonton 2

Robin Lehner made 34 saves and five different teammates scored goals as the Islanders closed out the Barclays Center portion of the home schedule with a 5-2 victory over the Edmonton Oilers before a crowd of 14,812 in Brooklyn. 

The Isles are 8-0-1 in their last nine home games, regardless of building, including 5-0-0 at Barclays Center.

The Isles improved to 11-2-2 in their last 15 games as they increased their lead in the Metro to five points over idle Washington.  Columbus defeated Chicago to remain in 3rd place, seven points behind the Isles. 

The Scoring:  

1st Period

No Goals

2nd Period

Ryan Pulock (6) Devon Toews, Josh Bailey 03:02 EDM 0,NYI 1 PPG

Valtteri Filppula (12) Nick Leddy, Johnny Boychuk 13:30 EDM 0,NYI 2

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (18) Kris Russell, Tobias Rieder 19:57 EDM 1,NYI 2

3rd Period

Mathew Barzal (17) Devon Toews, Josh Bailey 05:09 EDM 1,NYI 3

Leon Draisaitl (35) Connor McDavid, Oscar Klefbom 10:20 EDM 2,NYI 3 PPG

Anders Lee (19) Leo Komarov 17:44 EDM 2,NYI 4

Brock Nelson (18)EN 18:16 EDM 2,NYI 5 

The Skinny      

The Isles had gone 139:19 without allowing a goal before Ryan Nugent-Hopkins scored with 2.3 seconds to play in the second period…The Isles are 18-4-2 since Devon Toews joined the lineup and are 21-5-2 in their last 28 games; Toews recorded his first multi-point game and first multi-assist game…Josh Bailey recorded his 5th multi-assist game and 9th multi-point game as he went over 30 assists for the 3rd straight season…Mathew Barzal scored the winning goal; it was his first goal in five games…Both of Brock Nelson's goals since the All-Star Game have been empty-netters… The Isles have matched last season's win total (35) in just 58 games; including shootout winners they have scored 25 fewer goals and allowed 76 fewer goals than last year's first 58 games… The Isles have 40 points at home and 36 points on the road; their 76 points is the 2nd-highest total in the East  … For the 24th 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 Isles are 5-1-0 in their last six games…The Isles are 6-2-1 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 19th goals; it was his first goal in 12 games …. Casey Cizikas was +1 and is now +21 on the season, a mark only one Islander forward (Ryan Strome +23 in 2014-15) has reached in the last 15 years…The Isles are 78-47-18 all-time in Brooklyn…Leon Draisaitl scored for the 3rd straight game…The Isles are 15-7 in games decided by at least three goals.

Top of the Heap

The Isles are 21-5-2 in their last 28 games, giving them the most wins and the best record in the entire NHL since December 15.  

The Isles are tied-4th in the NHL with 76 points; by points percentage they are 3rd.  Only Tampa Bay and Calgary have more points and a better points percentage than the Isles.

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 5-0-1 in the last six games, allowing a total of three goals on 188 shots (5-0-1, 0.48 GAA, .984 save percentage). On the season, his GAA is 2.20 and his NHL-leading save percentage is .930.

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 2.20

Best Saves Percentage by an Islander in a Season 

1. Thomas Greiss 2018-19 .930 (.9297)

2. Robin Lehner 2018-19 .929 (.9293)

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 1-0-0 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

• 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 58 Games (Post-Cup Era)

• 77: 2014-15

• 76: 2018-19

Most Points Thru 29 Road Games

• 37: 1976-77

• 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 58 Games (Includes SO)

• 138 2018-19

• 143 1975-76

• 143 1976-77

• 143 2003-04

• 145 1977-78

• 145 2015-16

Road Warriors

The Isles are 8-2-1 in their last 11 road games and 11-3-1 in their last 15 road games. The Isles went 11-2-2 (24 points) in a 15-game road stretch late in the 1981-82 season; that is the only time in franchise history that the Isles have earned more than the 23 points in a single-season 15-game road stretch.

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 138

2. Dallas 149

3. Boston 150

Fewest Goals Allowed This Season (excluding SO goals)

1. ISLES 133

2. Boston 148

3. Dallas 149

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 797-585-60-140 in 1,582 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   1,582

5. Ken Hitchcock   1,574

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: 35-17-6 (76 points), with 169 goals scored and 138 goals allowed (includes SO winners)

Last Season: 27-25-6 (60 points), with 194 goals scored and 214 goals allowed (includes SO winners)

The Isles have allowed 76 fewer goals, a decrease of 35.5% 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 14-10-1 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     10-7-7=24

Edmonton 13-10-13=36

The Isles are 10-11-1 when they outshoot their opponents, 0-1-0 when the shots are even and 25-5-5 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 35-17-6 overall; 18-7-4 at home (6-1-2 on Long Island and 12-6-2 in Brooklyn) and 17-10-2 on the road.  All their remaining regular season home games are at the Nassau Coliseum.

Edmonton is 24-29-5 overall; 12-15-1 at home and 12-14-4 on the road.  

By Division & Conference

The Isles are 15-5-1 in Division games and 20-12-5 in games versus other divisions.  The Isles are 21-9-5 against the East and 14-8-1 against the West.  

In the Nets

Robin Lehner made 34 saves and improves to 18-9-4 on the season and 5-1-1 in his career against Edmonton.   

Mikko Koskinen made 19 saves but falls to 14-14-2 on the season and 0-1-0 against the Islanders. 

Power Plays

The Isles were 1-3 on the power play in 3:36 of PP time; Edmonton was 1-5 on the power play in 7:38 of PP time.

The Isles are 22-2-1 when they score at least one power play goal and 13-15-5 when they do not.  The Isles are 13-10-4 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 6-15-5 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 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 20-17-5 when both teams are rested. 

Ice-time Leaders

Isles: Ryan Pulock (21:01); Edmonton: Connor McDavid (25:55)

Tom Kuhnhackl led Isles forwards with 16:57 of ice-time.

Isles record by ice-time leader: Ryan Pulock (17-7-4), Nick Leddy (13-9-2), Scott Mayfield (5-1-0).

Face-offs

Isles 25, Edmonton 32 (44%).  

Casey Cizikas won 11 of 20 for the Isles; Ryan Nugent-Hopkins won 5 of 8 for Edmonton.

Face-offs by period: 1st period  6/15; 2nd period 12/23; 3rd period 7/19.

Face-offs by strength: Even strength: 19/43, Power play 3/6, Penalty kill 3/8.

Hit Count

Isles 13 (Matt Martin -4)  

Edmonton 20 (Darnell Nurse -4)

   

Fights

Anders Lee fought Darnell Nurse in the second period. Season total –13 (Scott Mayfield -4, Ross Johnston-3, Matt Martin -2, Anders Lee- 2, Josh Bailey, Johnny Boychuk).  

Blocked Shots

The Isles blocked 16 shots (Adam Pelech -4) 

All situations: Isles 39, Edmonton 62

5-on-5 Isles 31, Edmonton 48

5-on-5 leaders:

Isles: Mathew Barzal & Nick Leddy +2

Edmonton: Connor McDavid +15

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 29-15-6 in night games and 6-2-0 in matinees. The next matinee is on March 3rd vs. Philadelphia (at the Coliseum). 

Ironmen

Anders Lee 176, Brock Nelson 153, Mathew Barzal 140

Scratches

Michael Dal Colle, Luca Sbisa, Ross Johnston

Total games lost: 115

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 13-1-1 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 773

Goals

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

16. Mariusz Czerkawski 145 *** 17. Anders Lee 143 *** 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 284 …

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 421…

23. Ed Westfall 286 *** 24. Jason Blake 258 *** 25. David Volek 249 *** 26. Anders Lee 245

Games Played (Goalies)

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

7. Glenn Healy 176 *** 8. Thomas Greiss 149

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

The Isles lead the season series one game to none (and 2 points to 0).  The teams will meet again in Edmonton on Thursday to conclude the season series. 

The Isles had lost the last two home games to Edmonton, one in overtime and one in shootout.  However, the Isles are now 10-0-2 in the last 12 home games against the Isles.

The Isles have earned points in the last five games against Edmonton (2-0-3) and are 4-1-3 in the last eight against the Oilers.

On the Farm  

The Sound Tigers are 5-1-1-0 in their last seven games and are 29-18-5-2 on the season following a 4-3 overtime loss in Lehigh Valley on Friday and an overtime win by the same score over Hartford on Saturday.

On Friday, Matt Lorito had a goal and an assist but the Phantoms prevailed in overtime.

On Saturday, Andrew Ladd and Thomas Hickey both scored in the first game of their rehab stint and Otto Koivula's team-leading 17th goal was the overtime winner. Joshua Ho-Sang also scored for the Sound Tigers, who host Charlotte on Sunday afternoon.

Leaders:  Goals: Otto Koivula 17 (4th among AHL rookies); Assists: Chris Bourque 31; Points: Chris Bourque 41; +/-: Otto Koivula 17.  Goalies: Jeremy Smith 14-9-3 (2.92 GAA); Christopher Gibson 15-9-4 (2.99 GAA)

Up Next

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20th – CALGARY AT ISLANDERS 9:30PM 

[MSG+ (Pre-game at 9:00pm), 88.7 WRHU-FM,WRCN 103.9FM, Radio.com] 

The Isles have their final stretch of three consecutive off days before they begin their final road trip of at least three games on Wednesday in Calgary.  The Flames are the only team that the Isles have not played this season and like the Isles, find themselves in the top five of the NHL.  

The Isles have won six of the last eight games between the teams, who have split a pair of games each of the last two seasons.

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