The Skinny: Isles 4, Pittsburgh 3 (OT)

"The Skinny"

By Eric Hornick

Game 20

Isles 4, Pittsburgh 3 (OT)

Brock Nelson thought he might have scored the winning goal in his 500th NHL game when he put the Isles ahead 3-2 with 4:52 to play.  Instead he would get the winning goal at 4:16 of overtime as the Islanders extended their point streak to a franchise-record sixteen games (15-0-1) with a 4-3 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins before a crowd of 13,212 at Barclays Center. 

Nelson, who became the first Islander to score overtime goals in consecutive regular season game, recorded his 3rd overtime goal of the season and sixth of his career.  He is the only Islander with more than one game-winning goal this season (he has four).

 

The Isles are 16-3-1; it is the most wins and the most points the Isles have ever had through 20 games. 

The Scoring: 

1st Period

Evgeni Malkin (4) Jake Guentzel, John Marino 01:04 PIT 1,NYI 0

Scott Mayfield (3) Mathew Barzal 15:12 PIT 1,NYI 1

2nd Period 

Bryan Rust (8) 01:09 PIT 2,NYI 1

Anthony Beauvillier (8) Derick Brassard, Ryan Pulock 11:38 PIT 2,NYI 2 PPG

3rd Period

Brock Nelson (7) Anthony Beauvillier, Mathew Barzal 15:08 PIT 2,NYI 3 PPG

Patric Hornqvist (6) Evgeni Malkin, Brian Dumoulin 19:30 PIT 3,NYI 3

OT

Brock Nelson (8) Mathew Barzal 04:16 PIT 3,NYI 4

The Skinny    

Anthony Beauvillier scored for the fourth straight game; six of his eight goals have come during this streak. ….The Isles are 9-1-1 in games decided by a single goal while Pittsburgh is 5-2-3…Brock Nelson's overtime winner gives his three goals in the last two games (two game winners and a go-ahead goal)…Nelson played his 500th game, all with the Isles. He is  the 31st Islander to appear in 500 games…. The Isles now have won five straight games (tied for longest current streak in NHL with Dallas, who won later in the evening); all five wins, and each of the last six games, have been decided by a single goal…The Isles are the 41st team in NHL history to earn a point in 16 straight games…The Isles had not led in 175:08 of regulation play (since the end of the Toronto game) before Nelson's goal…The Isles had seven power plays for the first time since February 9, 2018 vs. Detroit…Evgeni Malkin recorded his 30th career goal against the Isles…Scott Mayfield's goal was the 12th for the Isles defense; they didn't reach the 12-goal mark last season until New Year's Eve…Mathew Barzal was credited for three assists, giving him 20 points in 20 games; it was his 5th career game with at least three assists (other four came as a rookie)…Devon Toews has not missed a game since he debuted in the NHL (68 games); he was briefly injured early in the first period, but finished the game…The Isles allowed goals in the first two minutes of each of the first two periods for the first time since January 10, 2019 at the Garden (Ryan Strome, Kevin Shattenkirk). The Isles also won that game by a 4-3 score…Bryan Rust has scored four of his eight goals this season against the Isles…Barry Trotz recorded his 64th win as the Islander coach, tying Scott Gordon for 6th place on the all-time list;  the Isles had had five distinct winning streaks of at least five games under Trotz, after having only four in the 10 seasons prior to Trotz, combined.

Another Club Record

The Isles have won five straight games, all by one goal.  It's the first time in club history that they have ever won five straight games by a single goal.  (The previous record of 4 was set in 1992-93 and equaled in 2006-07, and over two seasons in 2018).  

The Isles have also played six straight one-goal games (5-0-1).  The club record of eight games was set in 2009-2010 and equaled over two seasons in 2018.  

Another Club/League Record Tied  (From the Geniuses at Elias Sports Bureau)

The Isles have won nine straight games that they allowed the first goal, tying both the club record (set in 1989-90) and the single-season league record (also done by Detroit in 2001 and Columbus in 2015)

The club record was originally set from December 16, 1989 – January 19, 1990, with five of the wins falling in the nine-game winning streak that had been the 2nd-longest in club history before this month.  The Isles overcame seven 1-0 deficits and two 2-0 deficits in that streak.

Changing Times

The Isles swept the home-and-home with Brock Nelson scoring overtime goals in both contests.  Prior to Tuesday, the last regular season overtime goal the first the Isles scored against Pittsburgh was on December 23, 1990 (Patrick Flatley goal made Jeff Hackett a winner).  Prior to Tuesday the Isles had scored only three overtime goals in regular season play vs Pittsburgh (out of 42 overtime games).

Mr. Overtime

Brock Nelson's OT goal was his 3rd during this streak (vs. Columbus on October 19th and Tuesday vs. Pittsburgh) and 6th of his career.  He is only the 4th player in Isles history with six career OT goals:

1. John Tavares 11

2. Josh Bailey 6

    Brock Nelson 6

    Kyle Okposo 6 

Nelson has recorded only the third instance of an Islander scoring three overtime goals in a season:

1. John Tavares 4 (2014-2015)

2. Brock Nelson 3 (2019-2020)

        John Tavares 3 (2010-2011)

(The NHL record of 5 overtime goals in a season is shared by four players)

Beauvember?

Anthony Beauvillier is 6-3-9 in nine games this month and is now 12-7-19 in 43 career November games.

The Record Point Streak (15-0-1)

10/12: Florida (3-2 Wso)

10/14: St. Louis (3-2 Wot)

10/17: @ Winnipeg (3-1 W)

10/19: @ Columbus (3-2 Wot)

10/24: Arizona (4-2 W)

10/25: @ Ottawa (4-2 W)

10/27: Philadelphia (5-3 W)

11/1: Tampa Bay (5-2 W)

11/2: @ Buffalo (1-0 W)

11/5: Ottawa (4-1 W)

11/7: Pittsburgh (3-4 OTL)

11/9: Florida (W 2-1)

11/13: Toronto (W 5-4)

11/16:@ Philadelphia (W 4-3so)

11/19:@ Pittsburgh (W 5-4ot)

11/21:Pittsburgh (W4-3ot)

The Isles had 15-game streaks in 1978-79, 1980-81 and 1981-82 but this is the longest point streak in their history.

Making Their Point

The Isles last lost in regulation on October 11th in Carolina; they have now earned a point in every game over a club-record 43 days (thru at least Saturday)

It is the 5th time in club history that they have gone at least 30 days between pointless games:

• 43 days  October/November 2019  CURRENT (thru at least 11/23)

• 38 days  November/December 1978

• 34 days  February/March 1981

• 33 days  November/December 1980

• 32 days  January/February 1982

To put the Isles streak in perspective, all four Yankee losses to Houston in the ALCS have occurred since the streak started.  Since the day the streak started, the Rangers and Devils have suffered 15 regulation losses, the Knicks and Nets have lost 19 games and the Jets and Giants have lost seven times.

+87

The win raises the Isles' all-time record to 1637-1550-497; it's the first time they have been 87 games over NHL-.500 since November 26, 1998, when a 4-1 loss to Ottawa dropped their all-time record to 938-851-291.

It's Good to be Home(s)

The Isles are 7-2-0 on Coliseum ice, where they have won six straight games.  The Isles will play 28 of their 41 home games this season at the Coliseum.   The Isles are 3-0-1 at Barclays Center.

Coach Trotz

Barry Trotz is second among active coaches, trailing only Joel Quenneville, in both wins and games. Trotz' NHL record is 826-598-60-142 in 1,626 games.

Most Coaching Wins

1. Scotty Bowman  1,244

2. Joel Quenneville  902

3. Ken Hitchcock    849

4. Barry Trotz    826

5. Al Arbour    782

Most Games Coached

1. Scotty Bowman   2,141

2. Joel Quenneville 1,657

3. Barry Trotz        1,626

4. Al Arbour   1,607

Trotz is the 11th man to coach the Isles for at least 100 games.  He is 63-30-8 as the Isles coach, with his 62 wins and 132 points leading all others' first 100 by a wide margin:

• Barry Trotz      62-30-8

• Doug Weight  53-37-10  

• Ted Nolan         51-37-12 

• Terry Simpson 49-38-13 

• Peter Laviolette 48-39-9-4 

• Steve Stirling 47-38-11-4 

• Jack Capuano 38-46-16 

• Scott Gordon 32-53-15 

• Butch Goring  30-57-11-2 

• Al Arbour          28-48-24 

• Mike Milbury      26-58-16

The Rotation

The Islanders are first team since the San Jose Sharks in 2006-07 to alternate starting goalies for each of the first 20 games of the season. (The Sharks used Vesa Toskala in the odd games and Evgeni Nabokov in the even games before Nabokov started games 36 and 37 around the Christmas break)

It's the third longest streak in Isles history:

• 24 games (Hrudey/Smith) in 1985-86; Smith played games 24 and 25.

• 23 games (Smith/Melanson) in 1982-83; Smith played games 23 and 24.

• 20 games (Varlamov/Greiss) in 2019-20; CURRENT

The NHL record of 76 was set by the Rangers in 1990-91 (John Vanbiesbrouck/Mike Richter). 

   

First Things First

The Isles are 7-1-1 when scoring first and are 9-2-0 when allowing the opening goal.

The Shots

Isles          5-9-9-1=24       

Pittsburgh 8-10-8-0=26

The Isles are 6-0-0 when they outshoot their opponents, 0-1-0 when the shots are even and 10-2-1 when they are outshot.

Home and Road

The Islanders are 16-3-1 overall; 10-2-1 at home (7-2-0 on Long Island and 3-0-1 in Brooklyn) and 6-1-0 on the road.  

Pittsburgh is 11-7-4 overall; 7-3-2 at home and 4-4-2 on the road.  

By Division & Conference

The Isles are 5-2-1 in Division games and 11-1-0 in games versus other divisions.  The Isles are 12-2-1 against the East and 4-1-0 against the West.  

In the Nets

Thomas Greiss made 23 saves to improve to 9-1-0 on the season and 5-2-0 in his career against Pittsburgh.

Matt Murray made 20 saves; he is 9-4-4 on the season and 3-3-3 in his career against the Isles.

Power Plays

The Isles were 2-7 on the power play in 9:26 of power play time; Pittsburgh was 0-3 on the power play in 4:19 of PP time.

The Isles are 6-1-0 when they score at least one power play goal and 10-2-1 when they do not.  The Isles are 6-2-0 when they allow at least one power play goal and 10-1-1 when they do not.

The Isles are 2-1-0 when they have more power plays than the opposition, 2-0-0 when the power plays are even, and 12-2-1 when the opposition has more power plays.

Three is a Magic Number

The Isles are 14-0-1 when they score at least three goals (including shootout winners) and are 2-3-0 when they do not.  Under Barry Trotz, the Isles are 52-2-3 when scoring three or more.

One Goal Games

The Isles are 9-1-1 in games decided by a single goal including 3-1 in regulation. They are 4-1 in games decided in overtime and are 2-0 in shootouts.  The Isles are 2-0 in games in which an empty-net goal turns a 1-goal game into a 2-goal game.

Tired vs. Rested 

• The Isles are 2-0-0 when both teams played the night before. 

• The Isles are 4-0-0 when they are rested, and their opponents are not. 

• The Isles are 1-0-0 when their opponents are rested, and the Isles are not.

• The Isles are 9-3-1 when both teams are rested. 

Ice-time Leaders

Isles: Ryan Pulock (24:25); Pittsburgh: Brian Dumoulin (25:58) 

Anthony Beauvillier led Isles forwards with 21:32 of ice-time.

Isles record by ice-time leader: Adam Pelech (7-0-0), Ryan Pulock (6-1-1), Nick Leddy (0-1-0), Devon Toews (1-1-0), Scott Mayfield (1-0-0), Brock Nelson (1-0-0).

Face-offs

Isles 34, Pittsburgh 28 (55%).  

Brock Nelson won 12 of 17 for the Isles (that's 39 of 56 in the last three games); Teddy Blueger won 8 of 13 for Pittsburgh.  

Hit Count

Isles 39 (Anders Lee -8); Lee also had 7 hits on Tuesday. 

Pittsburgh 24 (Two with 4) 

   

Fights

While Anders Lee and Zach Aston-Reese threw punches in the third period, only minor penalties were assessed. There were no fights.  Season total: 4 – Johnston-3 (vs. FLA, vs PHL, vs TB), Cizikas (vs. OTT).

 

Blocked Shots

Isles 13 (Nick Leddy and Cal Cluttebuck -3)

Pittsburgh 11 (John Marino -3)

For the Corsi Crowd 

All situations: Isles 44, Pittsburgh 52

5-on-5 Isles 25, Pittsburgh 39

5-on-5 leaders:

Isles: Devon Toews +8

Pittsburgh: Two with +7

Back-to-Backs

The Isles are 2-1-0 in the front-half and 3-0-0 in the back-half. The next back-to-back will be December 2nd in Detroit and December 3rd in Montreal. Under Barry Trotz, the Isles are 14-1-1 in back-ends.

Night and Day

The Isles are 14-3-1 in night games and 2-0-0 in matinees. The next matinee will be on December 14th vs. Buffalo.

Ironmen

Anders Lee 220, Brock Nelson 197, Mathew Barzal 184, Ryan Pulock 147 and Josh Bailey 105. 

Iron D

Ryan Pulock is only the 6th defenseman in Islander history to play at least 147 consecutive regular season games:

1. Denis Potvin 11/29/1975-1/17/1979 262

2. Bryan McCabe 10/7/1995-2/4/1998 220 (*) (**)

3. Gerry Hart 3/1/1975-11/22/1977 198

4. Andrew MacDonald 12/19/2011- 3/2/2014 164 (**)

5. Nick Leddy 10/23/2016 – 3/26/2018 153

6. Ryan Pulock 12/29/2017 – CURRENT 147

 (*) Start of NHL career.

(**) Entire career with Islanders

Scratches

(Tom Kuhnhackl-INJ), Noah Dobson, Ross Johnston, Leo Komarov).

Total games lost: 64.

Late Heroes

The Isles have scored twice in the final two minutes of regulation to either tie or take the lead:

10/14 vs. STL – Mathew Barzal scored at 19:33 and the Isles won in OT.

11/19 @ PIT – Ryan Pulock scored at 18:38 and the Isles won in OT.

Late Goals Allowed

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

11/21 vs. STL – Patric Hornqvist scored at 19:30, but the Isles won in OT.

Challenges

Isles: 1 successful, 0 failures (offside11/19 vs PIT)

Opponents: 1 successful, 1 failures (Nelson-kick 10/8 vs EDM), (Lee- no high stick 11/1 vs. TB)

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.  Josh Bailey 817…

25. Dave Lewis and Matt Martin 514 *** 27. Rich Pilon and Mick Vukota 509 *** 29. Casey Cizikas 501 *** 30. Brock Nelson 500

Goals

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

14. Patrick Flatley 160 *** 15. Anders Lee 157 *** 16. Pierre Turgeon and Josh Bailey 147

18. Mariusz Czerkawski 145 *** 19. Kyle Okposo 139 *** 20. Brock Nelson 132

Assists

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

9. Stefan Persson 317 *** 10. Bob Bourne 304 *** 11.  Josh Bailey 300 …

25. Jeff Norton 166 *** 26. Ziggy Palffy 163 *** 27. Nick Leddy 158

Points

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

12. Patrick Flatley 488 *** 13. Josh Bailey 447…

24. Ed Westfall 286 *** 25. Anders Lee 268 *** 26. Brock Nelson 260

Games Played (Goalies)

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

6. Jaroslav Halak 177 *** 7. Glenn Healy 176 *** 8. Thomas Greiss 173

Wins (Goalie)

1. Billy Smith 304 *** 2. Glenn Resch 157 *** 3. Rick DiPietro 130*** 4. Kelly Hrudey 108***

5.   Thomas Greiss 94

Shutouts (Goalie)

1. Glenn Resch 25 ***2. Billy Smith 22 *** 3. Rick DiPietro 16 *** 4. Tommy Salo 14***

5. Jaroslav Halak 12 *** 6.  Thomas Greiss 10

Games Coached 

1. Al Arbour 1,500 *** 2. Jack Capuano 483 *** 3. Mike Milbury 192 …

9. Steve Stirling 124 *** 10. Doug Weight 122 *** 11. Barry Trotz 102 

 

Coaching Wins

1. Al Arbour 740 *** 2. Jack Capuano 227 *** 3. Terry Simpson 81 *** 4. Peter Laviolette 77 ***

5. Ted Nolan 74 *** 6. Scott Gordon and Barry Trotz 64

Season Series Stats

The Isles lead the season series 2 games to 1 (and 5 points to 4).  The teams will conclude the season series on March 15th in Pittsburgh. 

The Isles are 5-1-2 in their last eight games against Pittsburgh; five of the last six games between the teams has gone to overtime.

On the Farm   

The Sound Tigers are 4-10-3-1 on the season. Bridgeport begins a set of three games in three days on Friday in Providence.

Up Next

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 23rd —  ISLANDERS AT SAN JOSE – 10:30 PM

[MSG+ (Islanders pre-game at 10:00pm), 88.7 WRHU-FM, WRCN 103.9FM, ESPN 1050] 

The Isles head to California and begin a three-game road trip in San Jose against the Sharks.  It's the first meeting of the teams in over 13 months, as the Isles faced San Jose twice in the first seven games last season with each team winning at home.

The Isles are 3-1-0 in the last four games, and 5-3-0 in the last eight games, against the Sharks.

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