The Skinny: Carolina 1, Isles 0 (OT). Carolina leads series 1-0.

"The Skinny"

By Eric Hornick

Eastern Conference Second Round Game 1

Carolina 1, Isles 0 

Jordan Staal scored the game's only goal 4:04 into overtime as the Carolina Hurricanes defeated the Isles 1-0 to take a 1-0 lead in their 2nd Round series before a sellout crowd of 15,795 at Barclays Center.

The goaltenders, Robin Lehner and Petr Mrazek, took turns making spectacular saves as both goalies extended personal shutout streaks to over 120 minutes, before Staal's first career playoff overtime matters decided the first-ever playoff matchup between the teams.

It was the second time an Islander playoff game had gone to overtime scoreless; Mike Bossy beat Tony Esposito (Chicago) at 2:31 of overtime on April 18, 1979.  It was the first time a Stanley Cup game had gone to overtime scoreless since April 18, 2016 when St. Louis beat Chicago on a David Backes goal and the first Hurricane franchise game to ever do so.

The Scoring: 

1st Period

No Goals

2nd Period

No Goals

3rd Period

No Goals

OT

Jordan Staal (4) Nino Niederreiter, Brett Pesce 04:04 CAR 1,NYI 0

The Series (Carolina leads 1-0)

Game 1: Carolina 1, Isles 0

Game 2: Sunday at Isles 3pm

Game 3: Wednesday at Carolina 7pm

Game 4: Friday at Carolina 7pm

Game 5 (if needed): May 5 at Isles

Game 6 (if needed): May 7 at Carolina

Game 7 (if needed): May 8 at Isles

The Skinny   

The Isles dropped the first game of a series for the first time since 2013 Conference Quarter-Finals vs. Pittsburgh... The Isles have allowed the first goal in four straight games; it is the only goal that they have allowed in all four games. It's the second time in Islander history that they have allowed one goal or fewer in at least four straight games: (5: May 1-12, 1984 vs. Montreal/Edmonton)…This was the first Islander game at Barclays in 69 days as the Isles became the first team since the 1950 Rangers to have two home rinks during the playoffs.  Linesman Brian Murphy worked his 300th Stanley Cup playoff game…Jordan Staal's overtime goal came on the 13th anniversary of his brother Eric scoring an overtime winner for Carolina against Montreal; brother Marc also has a playoff overtime goal…It was Staal's 3rd career overtime point (1-2-3)…The Isles were coming off the longest gap between series in their history while Carolina was coming off their shortest gap; the three NHL teams that played seven games in the first round (Carolina, Boston and San Jose) all won their opening game in round 2…Petr Mrazek recorded his second shutout of this year's playoffs and his fifth in 19 career playoff games.  He lowered his playoff career goals against average to 2.09 (vs. 2.61 career in the regular season). The Isles had a goal disallowed in the second period when the officials ruled that Anders Lee had interfered with Mrazek... Jordan Eberle saw his 4-game goal streak end, as did Mathew Barzal's 4-game assist streak…It is the 25th time that the Isles have been shutout in a playoff game (8th at home); it is the 4th time that they have been blanked 1-0 (Game 3 vs Philadelphia, 1975, Game 1 vs. Edmonton, 1984, and Game 5 vs. Philadelphia 1985)…It's the third 1-0 win in Canes franchise playoff history (1986 Hartford vs. Montreal, 2002 vs. New Jersey).

Shutout Streaks

Petr Mrazek has not allowed a goal in 121:47, stopping 50 shots in that span.

Jordan Staal's goal ended Robin Lehner's 123:29 shutout streak; he had stopped 63 consecutive shots.

Overtime is (Usually) Our Time

The Isles fall to 34-17 (.667) all-time in overtime, including 18-10 (.643) at home.  The .667 overall percentage and .643 home percentages are both the best in NHL history. The Isles are 1-1 in overtime this season; nine of the 23 playoff games the Isles have played since 2015 have gone to overtime with the Isles holding a 5-4 record.  

Carolina is 2-1 in this year's playoffs in overtime and are 23-14 (including 5-6 as the Hartford Whalers) all-time.

…But Not in 2nd Round Games at Barclays

The Isles have played three games in the second round at Barclays, including two vs. Tampa Bay in 2016. All three have been decided in overtime, and the Isles have lost all three on goals allowed in the first five minutes of the extra session.

This was the sixth playoff game ever played at Barclays; the Isles have won two (both in overtime) and lost one other game in regulation.

Lead/Tie/Trail

In game 1, the game was tied for 64:04.  

Series Total: the game was tied for 64:04.

Vs Pittsburgh, the Isles led for 127:34, the game was tied for 112:14 and Pittsburgh led for 4:51

Playoff Totals:   Isles 127:34, Tied 176:18, Opponents 4:51

Other than the final 8:22 of game two, the final 9:33 of game three and the final :38 of game four (all vs. Pittsburgh), the score of every Isles playoff game has been tied or within one goal for the entire playoffs.

Playoffs All-Time

The Isles fall to 148-121 in 269 all-time playoff games.  They are 84-45 at home (including 2-4 at Barclays) and 64-76 on the road.  

What a Season!

The Isles finished 2nd in the Metro Division, 4th in the Eastern Conference and 5th in the NHL. The Isles have not finished that high since the conference was created. They last finished that high in a conference in 87-88, when they were 3rd in the Wales Conference.  It's the first time since 1985-86 that the Isles have finished in the top five overall.

The Best (Fourth) Line in Hockey

In the regular season, the Isles were 35-16-6 when Casey Cizikas, Matt Martin and Cal Clutterbuck all play and are 13-11-1 when one or more miss a game.  They are 4-1 when all three play in the playoffs.

In game 1, the trio combined for 7 shots on goal and 17 hits.   

Most Points (Post-Cup Era)

• 103: 2018-19 

• 101: 2014-15

Most Road Points (Post Cup Era)

• 51: 2018-19

• 49: 2014-15

Worst to First

The Isles allowed the most goals in the NHL last season and the fewest goals in the NHL this season.  Only once before in NHL history had a team allowed the most goals in one season and the fewest in the next; the Ottawa Senators did so in 1917-18 and 1918-19.  

Coach Trotz

In regular season play, Barry Trotz is 2nd among active coaches in games and third in wins. Trotz' NHL record is 810-595-60-141 in 1,606 games. 

Most Coaching Wins

1. Scotty Bowman  1,244

2. Joel Quenneville  890

3. Ken Hitchcock    849

4. Barry Trotz    810

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   1,606

5. Ken Hitchcock   1,598

Trotz, who is a finalist for the Jack Adams Award, will catch Al Arbour in games coached on Opening Night next season.  

Coach Trotz (Playoffs)

Barry Trotz has now coached 118 playoff games (59-59), breaking a  tied for 16th all-time in games coached with Billy Reay (117) and Jacques Lemaire (117).  His 59 wins are 19th all time, two behind Jacques Lemaire and four behind Fred Shero and Claude Julien.  Trotz won the Stanley Cup last season; Joel Quenneville (3) and Mike Sullivan (2) are the only active coaches with multiple Stanley Cups.

Most playoff wins by Islander coaches:

• Al Arbour 123

• Jack Capuano 10

• Terry Simpson 9

• Barry Trotz 4

• Peter Laviolette 4

• Ted Nolan 1

• Steve Stirling 1

Most playoff games coached (Islanders):

• Al Arbour 209

• Jack Capuano 24

• Terry Simpson 20

• Peter Laviolette 12

• Steve Stirling 5

• Ted Nolan 5

• Barry Trotz 5

Most overtime wins/overtime record:

• Al Arbour 26 (26-9)

• Jack Capuano 4 (4-5)

• Terry Simpson 3 (3-0)

• Barry Trotz 1 (1-1)

• Peter Laviolette 0 (0-1)

• Steve Stirling 0 (0-1)

Most playoff series wins:

• Al Arbour 29

• Barry Trotz 1

• Jack Capuano 1

• Terry Simpson 1

What a Difference a Year Makes

This Season: 48-27-7 (103 points), with 228 goals scored and 196 goals allowed (includes SO winners)

Last Season: 35-37-10 (80 points), with 264 goals scored and 296 goals allowed (includes SO winners)

The Isles allowed 100 fewer goals, a decrease of 33.7% as compared to last season.

First Things First

The Isles are 1-0 when scoring first and are 3-1 when allowing the first goal in the playoffs.

The Shots

Isles        11-12-6-2=31

Carolina  9-12-10-1=32

Shots by Game

• Game 1: Isles 31, Carolina 32

• Series: Isles 31, Carolina 32

• Vs Pittsburgh: Isles 129, Pittsburgh 136

• Playoff Totals: Isles 160, Opponents 168

The Isles are 1-0 when they outshoot their opponents, 0-0 when the shots are even and 3-1 when they are outshot. [The Isles won a franchise-record 31 games when outshot this season.]

In the Nets

Robin Lehner made 31 saves but falls to 4-1 in the playoffs and 0-1 in his career against Carolina.   

Petr Mrzaek made 31 saves and improves to 5-3 in the playoffs and 1-0 in his career against the Isles. 

Power Plays

The Isles were 0-4 on the power play in 7:43 of PP time; Carolina was 0-4 on the power play in 5:43 of PP time.

Power Plays by Game

• Game 1: Isles 0-4 (7:43; 7 shots), Carolina 0-4 (5:43, 7 shots)

• Series: Isles 0-4 (7:43; 7 shots), Carolina 0-4 (5:43, 7 shots)

• Vs Pittsburgh: Isles 2-13 (20:47, 25 shots), Pittsburgh 1-12 (19:32, 11 shots)

• Playoff Totals: Isles 2-17 (28:30, 32 shots), Opponents 1-16 (25:15, 18 shots)

Three is a Magic Number

The Isles are 4-0 in the playoffs when they score at least three goals and 0-1 when they do not.  In the regular season the Isles went 38-2-2 when they scored at least three goals (including shootout winners) and 10-25-5 when they did not.  The 10 wins when being held to two goals or fewer are a franchise record.

One Goal Games

The Isles are 1-1 in the playoffs in one-goal games (0-0 in regulation and 1-1 in overtime); they were 19-6-7 in games decided by a single goal in the regular season. The Isles are 1-0 in playoff games where an empty-net goal turns a 1-goal game into a 2-goal game.

Ice-time Leaders

Isles: Ryan Pulock (23:14);  Carolina: Justin Faulk (24:27)

Jordan Eberle led Isles forwards with 19:40 of ice-time 

Isles record by ice-time leader: Adam Pelech (1-0), Ryan Pulock (4-0) 

Face-offs

Isles 36, Carolina 23 (61%).

Casey Cizikas won 14 of 18 for the Isles; Jordan Staal won 11 of 21 for Carolina.

Face-offs by period: 1st period 11/16; 2nd period 13/20; 3rd period 11/19; overtime 1/4.

Face-offs by strength: Even strength: 26/44, Power play 6/9, Penalty kill 4/6.

Face-offs by Game

• Game 1: Isles 36, Carolina 23 (59%).  

• Series: Isles 36, Carolina 23 (59%).

• Vs Pittsburgh: Isles 120, Pittsburgh 112 (52%)

• Playoff Total: Isles 156, Opponents 135 (54%)

Hit Count

Isles 44 (Matt Martin -9)

Carolina 38 (Jordan Staal -6)

Hits Game by Game:

• Game 1: Isles 44, Carolina 38

• Series: Isles 44, Carolina 38 

• Vs Pittsburgh: Isles 180, Pittsburgh 171

• Playoff Total: Isles 224, Opponents 209

Fights

There were no fights. Playoff total -0.  The Isles were involved in 16 fights in the regular season.

Blocked Shots

The Isles blocked 19 shots (Nick Leddy -5).  

For the Corsi Crowd 

All situations: Isles 57, Carolina 60

5-on-5 Isles 42, Carolina 43

5-on-5 leaders:

Isles: Casey Cizikas +8

Carolina: Nino Niederreiter +11 

Corsi Game by Game:

• Game 1 (All) Isles 57, Carolina 60;  (5-on-5) Isles 42, Carolina 43

• Series (All) Isles 57, Carolina 60;  (5-on-5) Isles 42, Carolina 43

Scratches

(Andrew Ladd -INJ), (Tanner Fritz- INJ), (Johnny Boychuk), Luca Sbisa, Dennis Seidenberg, Ross Johnston, Michael Dal Colle

Playoff games lost: 11.  The Isles lost 153 man-games in the regular season

Post-Season Late Heroes

The Isles have scored once in overtime:

4/10 – PIT Penguins-Josh Bailey scored the winning goal (4:39 of OT) 

Post-Season Late Goals Allowed

The Isles have allowed a goal once in the final two minutes of regulation to either tie or win a game, and have allowed one overtime goal:

4/10 – PIT Penguins – Justin Schultz tied the game (18:31), but the Isles won in overtime. 

4/26 – CAR Hurricanes – Jordan Staal scored the winning goal (4:04 of OT)

Playoff Offside Challenges

4/10 – PIT Penguins – Isles goal overturned after successful Penguin challenge. 

On the Farm  

The Sound Tigers are tied 2 games to 2 ending into the deciding game of their series with Hershey on Saturday. The winner of tomorrow's game will face regular season champion Charlotte in the 2nd round

Bridgeport finished the regular season with a record of 43-24-6-3; the 97 points is their most ever in a 76-game schedule and their highest total since Jack Capuano led them to a 106-point campaign in 2008-09 (80 games).  

Playoff Leaders: Goals: Kieffer Bellows 2; Assists: Four with 2; Points: Oliver Wahlstrom/Matt Lorito 3;

 +/-: Three with +1. Goalies: Christopher Gibson 2-1 (1.69 GAA); Jeremy Smith 0-1 (2.09 GAA).

Up Next

ROUND 2 VS CAROLINA

GAME 2: SUNDAY, APRIL 28th – AT ISLANDERS 3:00PM

[NBC-Channel 4, 88.7 WRHU-FM, 103.9 FM WRCN and Radio.com]

The Isles will look to even the series in game 2 on Sunday afternoon.  The Isles have not lost the first two games of a series since 2002 vs. Toronto, and both of those games were at the Air Canada Center.

The Isles have never opened a playoff series by losing the first two games at home. 

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