The Skinny on Leap Day

Saturday is not only Butch's Day, it's Leap Day - only the 5th time the Isles have ever played on 2/29 and the first time in 16 years.

29-Feb-84 @ Winnipeg 4 3 W

29-Feb-92 Vs New Jersey 1 3 L

29-Feb-96 @ Detroit 1 5 L

29-Feb-04 Vs Pittsburgh 2 3 Lot

Of those, the 2/29/84 game is by far the most interesting (beyond the fact that the Isles won) -  LaFontaine and Flatley made their NHL debuts in that game.   Flatley had a goal and an assist in his debut; LaFontaine was held scoreless that night but would have a hat trick three days later in Toronto.  Check the video of Flats' goal here: https://youtu.be/bLPKPXXqgWM?t=619 which begins with Jiggs and Eddie explaining Leap Day.

The others:

1992 - Chris Terreri made 28 saves; David Volek's goal with 51 seconds to play got the Isles within one before an ENG sealed matters.

1996 - Ziggy had the only Isles goal as the reigning Champs completed a sweep of a home/home. Osgood in goal for Detroit.

2004 - Ryan Malone beat Garth Snow in overtime; Andy Chiodo (an Isles draft pick) recorded the 2nd of his three NHL wins.

(So each of the last three had an opposing goalie who had an Islander association, either before or after.  So does Boston's Jaroslav Halak.   Doug Soetaert played for Winnipeg in 1984; he also started the Double Chili game!)

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