The Skinny: San Jose 2, Isles 1 (OT)

"The Skinny"

By Eric Hornick

Game 21

San Jose 2, Isles 1 (OT)

Logan Couture scored 2:30 into overtime as the San Jose Sharks defeated the Isles 2-1 before a crowd of 16,471 at SAP Center at San Jose.

The overtime loss snapped the Isles' five-game winning streak and their six-game road winning streak but allowed them to extend their franchise-record point streak to 17 games (15-0-2).

 

The Isles are 16-3-2; it is the most wins and the most points the Isles have ever had through 21 games. 

The Scoring: 

1st Period

No Goals

2nd Period

Marcus Sorensen (4) Mario Ferraro, Joe Thornton 06:38 NYI 0,SJS 1

Casey Cizikas (4) Adam Pelech, Ryan Pulock 07:05 NYI 1,SJS 1

3rd Period

No Goals

OT

Logan Couture (5) Evander Kane, Brent Burns 02:30 NYI 1,SJS 2 

The Skinny    

The Isles are 9-1-2 in games decided by a single goal while San Jose is 6-2-1… The Isles are the 27th team in NHL history to earn a point in 17 straight games; it is the 2nd-longest point streak by a New York team (Rangers 19 games in 1939-1940)…The Isles had six power plays to the Sharks' one; it's the first time since 12/31/2013 in Boston that the Isles have had five more PP's than the opposition in a road game. …Logan Couture now has seven goals in 13 games against the Isles and has scored OT goals in the last two Shark games…Couture's goal extended his point streak to six games (3-7-10); Brock Nelson, Anthony Beauvillier and Derek Brassard all saw their point streaks end… The overtime loss ends the Isles' NHL record-tying streak of nine straight wins after allowing the first goal…The Sharks have won 43 consecutive games when allowing two goals or fewer, tying the NHL record set by the Penguins in 2012-13….The Sharks have killed 80 of 88 PPs this season, and 42 of 44 at home…San Jose is 8-1-0 in their last nine games…Casey Cizikas has four goals in the last eight games.

One-goal, again

This was the seventh straight one-goal games (5-0-2).  The club record of eight games was set in 2009-2010 and equaled over two seasons in 2018.  

The Isles had 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).  

Mr. Overtime

Brock Nelson has three overtime goals this season, giving him six for 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 ten games this month and is now 12-7-19 in 44 career November games.

The Record Point Streak (15-0-2)

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 (2-1 W)

11/13: Toronto (5-4 W)

11/16:@ Philadelphia (4-3 Wso)

11/19:@ Pittsburgh (5-4 Wot)

11/21:Pittsburgh (4-3 Wot)

11/23: @ San Jose (1-2 OTL)

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 45 days (thru at least Monday)

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

• 45 days  October/November 2019  CURRENT (thru at least 11/25)

• 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 17 regulation losses, the Knicks and Nets have lost 20 games and the Jets and Giants have lost seven times.

+87

The win moves the Isles' all-time record to 1637-1550-498; they remain 87 games over NHL-.500 for the first time 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 826-598-60-143 in 1,627 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 1,658

3. Barry Trotz        1,627

4. Al Arbour 1,607

Trotz is the 11th man to coach the Isles for at least 100 games.  He is 64-30-9 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 Sharks in 2006-07 to alternate starting goalies for each of the first 21 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.

• 21 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 9-2-1 when allowing the opening goal.

The Shots

Isles        7-10-11-0=28       

San Jose 13-6-5-2=26

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

San Jose is 12-11-1 overall; 8-5-0 at home and 4-6-1 on the road.  

By Division & Conference

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

In the Nets

Semyon Varlamov made 24 saves; he is 7-2-2 on the season and 5-6-4 in his career against San Jose.

Martin Jones made 27 saves to improve to 9-8-1 on the season and 3-1-0 in his career against the Isles.

Power Plays

The Isles were 0-6 on the power play in 12:00 of power play time; San Jose was 0-1 on the power play in 2:00 of PP time.

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

The Isles are 2-1-1 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 2-3-1 when they do not.  Under Barry Trotz, the Isles are 52-2-3 when scoring three or more.

One Goal Games

The Isles are 9-1-2 in games decided by a single goal including 3-1 in regulation. They are 4-2 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 9-3-2 when both teams are rested. 

Ice-time Leaders

Isles: Ryan Pulock (23:02); San Jose: Brent Burns (24:14)

Mathew Barzal led Isles forwards with 20:57 of ice-time.

Isles record by ice-time leader: Adam Pelech (7-0-0), Ryan Pulock (6-1-2), Nick Leddy (0-1-0), Devon Toews (1-1-0), Scott Mayfield (1-0-0), Brock Nelson (1-0-0).

Face-offs

Isles 21, San Jose 24 (47%).  

Brock Nelson won 10 of 17 for the Isles (but his teammates won only 11 of 28); Barclay Goodrow won 10 of 16 for San Jose.  

Hit Count

Isles 31 (Casey Cizikas -7). 

San Jose 22 (Barclay Goodrow -5) 

   

Fights

Casey Cizikas fought Brenden Dillon in the second period.  Season total: 5 – Johnston-3 (vs. FLA, vs PHL, vs TB), Cizikas-2 (vs. OTT, vs SJ).

 

Blocked Shots

Isles 14 (Adam Pelech -4)

San Jose 18 (Dylan Gambrell -4)

For the Corsi Crowd 

All situations: Isles 60, San Jose 48

5-on-5 Isles 40, San Jose 37

5-on-5 leaders:

Isles: Casey Cizikas +10

San Jose: Joe Thornton +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 14-3-2 in night games and 2-0-0 in matinees. The next matinee will be on December 14th vs. Buffalo.

Ironmen

Anders Lee 221, Brock Nelson 198, Mathew Barzal 185, Ryan Pulock 148 and Josh Bailey 106. 

Iron D

Ryan Pulock is only the 6th defenseman in Islander history to play at least 148 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 148

 (*) Start of NHL career.

(**) Entire career with Islanders

Scratches

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

Total games lost: 65.

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 (offside-11/19 vs PIT)

Opponents: 1 successful, 2 failures (Nelson-kick 10/8 vs EDM), (Lee- no high stick 11/1 vs. TB), Cizikas- no goalie interference 11/23 vs SJ)

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 818…

23.*** Pat LaFontaine 530 *** 24. Kyle Okposo 529 *** 25. Matt Martin and Dave Lewis 514 *** 27. Rich Pilon and Mick Vukota 509 *** 29. Casey Cizikas 502 *** 30. Brock Nelson 501

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 103 

 

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

San Jose leads the season series 1 games to 0 (and 2 points to 1).  The teams will conclude the season series on February 23rd at the Coliseum

The Isles are 3-1-1 in the last five games, and 5-3-1 in the last nine games, against the Sharks.

On the Farm   

Andrew Ladd scored the winning goal and added an assist as The Sound Tigers beat Hershey 3-2 on Saturday. Bridgeport, who lost 5-0 to Providence on Friday, is 5-11-3-1 on the season and completes their three-in-three stretch by hosting Springfield on Sunday afternoon at 3pm.

Up Next

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 25th —  ISLANDERS AT ANAHEIM – 10:00 PM

[MSG+ (Islanders pre-game at 9:30pm), 88.7 WRHU-FM, WRCN 103.9FM, ESPN 1050] 

The California road swing continue in Anaheim against the Ducks.  The teams split a pair of games last season with each team winning at home.

The Isles are 5-2-1 in the last eight games, and 6-3-1 in the last ten games, against the Ducks.  The Isles have lost their last two games in Anaheim, after winning the previous three trips to the Pond.

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