The Skinny: St. Louis 3, Isles 2 (OT)

"The Skinny" 

By Eric Hornick

Game 63

St. Louis 3, Isles 2 (OT)

Vince Dunn scored the tying goal with 1:44 to play and Colton Parayko scored the winning goal at 3:23 of overtime as the Stanley Cup Champion St. Louis Blues rallied from a 2-0 deficit for a 3-2 win over the Isles before a sellout crowd of 18,096 at Enterprise Center.  

The Isles grabbed a 2-0 lead in the first period on a J-G Pageau power play goal and a Jordan Eberle even-strength tally. Mathew Barzal assisted on both goals and now has three consecutive multi-assist games. 

With the point, the Isles are one point behind the third place Flyers and two points behind second place Pittsburgh. Only six points separate 2nd place and 7th place in the Metro.

The Scoring:

1st Period

Jean-Gabriel Pageau (26) Mathew Barzal (37), Devon Toews (20) 08:20 NYI 1,STL 0 PPG

Jordan Eberle (15) Anders Lee (21), Mathew Barzal (38) 16:34 NYI 2,STL 0

Brayden Schenn (23) Ryan O'Reilly (45), Jaden Schwartz (32) 19:05 NYI 2,STL 1

2nd Period

No Goals

3rd Period

Vince Dunn (8) 18:16 NYI 2,STL 2

OT

Colton Parayko (8) 03:23 NYI 2,STL 3

The Skinny        

The Isles are 6-5-3 in February; they have scored 35 goals in the nine games that they earned points but only three goals in their five regulation losses…The Isles are 0-4-1 in the last five on the road; the Blues have won six straight overall.…Jordan Eberle, Brock Nelson and Mathew Barzal each extended their point streaks to five games; Anders Lee and Devon Toews each have four game streaks…The Isles have scored power play goals in consecutive games for the first time since December 9th (TB)- 12th (FLA)… Jordan Eberle scored for the 12th time in the last 22 games; Eberle has scored eight of his 15 goals in February…Brock Nelson now had 51 points; he is two points shy of his career highs, set in different seasons… It's the first time in the last eleven games that the team that scored first in an Islander game didn't win… J-G Pageau now has goals in each of his first two games with the team; Billy Harris and Scott Howson are the only players in Islander history with goals in each of their first three games…Colton Parayko scored his 2nd career overtime goal…The Isles have faced Jordan Binnington three times, and all three have gone to overtime (the Isles won the first two)…It's only the third time this season that the Isles failed to win when leading after two periods (23-1-2)…The Isles did not dress a member of their Identity Line for only the 2nd time under Trotz (11-21-18 at Rangers); Casey Cizikas celebrated his 29 birthday…Anders Lee played his 263rd consecutive game, passing Denis Potvin for 4th place on the all-time club list…The Isles have been outscored 19-13 in the final two minutes of regulation periods (not including empty-nets)…The Isles are 10-10-4 vs. the West, but only 2-8-2 on the road…The Isles had only one shot in the second period; it's only the second time (3/9/2004) that the Blues have held the Isles to a single shot in a period…The Isles have won only one of the last six games that have gone beyond regulation (1-0-5).

Most February Goals by an Islanders (2000s)

• 10 – Matt Moulson & Michael Grabner (2011)

• 9 – John Tavares (2013)

• 8 – Jordan Eberle (2020)

• 8- Trent Hunter (2007)

• 8- Mariusz Czerkawski (2004)

Most February Assists by an Islander in the Post-Cup Era

• 14- Mathew Barzal (2018)

• 14- John Tonelli (1985)

• 13- Mathew Barzal (2020)

• 13- Pierre Turgeon & Steve Thomas (1993)

Straight B's in Hockey 

An Islander with a surname starting with "B" has earned a point on 32 of the Isles' 38 goals this month. 

Last Season vs. This Season

The Isles are 35-20-8 thru 63 games this season; they were 37-19-7 thru 63 games last season.  Their 78 points in 63 games is tied for the 3rd-highest in the Post-Cup era (84 points in 2014-15, 81 points last season, 79 in 2015-16).

It's Good to be Home(s)

The Isles are playing 28 of their 41 home games this season at the Coliseum.  The Isles are 13-7-2 on Coliseum ice where they have sold out five straight games (and nine games this season).  The Isles are 7-0-3 at Barclays Center this season and have not lost a regular season game in Brooklyn since January 12, 2019 (12-0-3); their next Brooklyn game is on March 3rd vs. Montreal.

On the Road

The Isles are 15-13-3 on the road this season but are only 3-7-2 in the last 12 games.

Lots of Home Cooking 

The Isles are in a stretch in which they play six of eight games at home.  The Isles are 2-0-2 in this stretch.

• 2/21 Vs Red Wings (W 4-1)

• 2/23 Vs Sharks (W 4-1)

• 2/25 Vs Rangers (L 3-4 OT)

• 2/27 @ Blues (L 2-3 OT)

• 2/29 Vs Bruins (Coliseum – Goring Day)

• 3/3 Vs Canadiens (Barclays)

• 3/5 @ Senators

• 3/7 Vs Hurricanes (Coliseum)

Following these eight games, the Isles will play nine of the next twelve on the road before ending the season with three games at the Coliseum.

Coach Trotz

Barry Trotz is second among active coaches, trailing only Joel Quenneville, in both wins and games. Trotz' NHL record is 845-615-60-149 in 1,669 games, and he is now five wins shy of supplanting Ken Hitchcock as the 3rd-winningest coach in NHL history.

Most Coaching Wins

1. Scotty Bowman  1,244

2. Joel Quenneville  923

3. Ken Hitchcock    849

4. Barry Trotz    845

5. Al Arbour    782

Most Games Coached

1. Scotty Bowman   2,141

2. Joel Quenneville 1,700

3. Barry Trotz        1,669

4. Al Arbour 1,607

First Things First

The Isles are 23-7-4 when scoring first and are 12-13-4 when allowing the opening goal.

Highest Percentage of Games Won (Post-Cup Era) Allowing First Goal

• .545 (18-13-2) 2014-15

• .459 (17-18-2) 2018-19

• .414 (12-13-4) 2019-20

• .410 (14-21-4) 1985-86

The Shots

Isles      12-1-3-1=17

St. Louis      9-10-11-2=32

The Isles are 13-7-5 when they outshoot their opponents, 0-1-0 when the shots are even and 22-12-3 when they are outshot.  Under Barry Trotz, the Isles are 53-23-9 when outshot; the 53 wins are the most in the NHL.

Home and Road

The Islanders are 35-20-8 overall: 20-7-5 at home (13-7-2 on Long Island and 7-0-3 in Brooklyn) and 15-13-3 on the road.  

St. Louis are 38-17-10 overall: 22-6-5 at home and 16-11-5 on the road.  

By Division & Conference

The Isles are 11-7-3 in Division games and 24-13-5 in games versus other divisions.  The Isles are 25-10-4 against the East and 10-10-4 against the West.  

In the Nets

Thomas Greiss made 29 saves; he is 16-8-3 on the season and 7-2-2 in his career against St. Louis.  

Jordan Binnington made 15 saves; he is 29-11-7 on the season and 1-0-2 against the Isles.  

Power Plays

The Isles were 1-2 in 2:50 of power play time; St. Louis was 0-1 in 2:00 of power play time.

The Isles are 13-5-3 when they score at least one power play goal and 22-15-5 when they do not.  The Isles are 14-9-1 when they allow at least one power play goal and 21-12-6 when they do not.

The Isles are 7-6-5 when they have more power plays than the opposition, 4-6-0 when the power plays are even, and 24-8-3 when the opposition has more power plays.

First 2 / Last 2     

The Isles have scored 15 goals and allowed 14 goals in the first two minutes of regulation periods.

The Isles have scored 13 goals and allowed 19 goals (excluding ENGs) in the last two minutes of regulation periods. 

Three is a Magic Number

The Isles are 31-2-4 when they score at least three goals (including shootout winners) and are 4-18-4 when they do not.  Under Barry Trotz, the Isles are 67-4-6 when scoring three or more, with two of the four regulation losses coming against Nashville.

One-Goal Games

The Isles are 16-6-8 in games decided by a single goal including 5-6 in regulation. They are 8-6 in games decided in overtime and are 3-2 in shootouts.  The Isles are 5-3 in games in which an empty-net goal turns a 1-goal game into a 2-goal game.

Tired vs. Rested 

• The Isles are 3-0-0 when both teams played the night before. 

• The Isles are 7-1-0 when they are rested, and their opponents are not. 

• The Isles are 3-1-1 when their opponents are rested, and the Isles are not.

• The Isles are 22-18-7 when both teams are rested. 

Ice-time Leaders

Isles: Nick Leddy (24:49); St. Louis: Colton Parayko (24:55)

Mathew Barzal led Isles forwards with 21:38 of ice-time.

Isles record by ice-time leader: Adam Pelech (9-2-0), Ryan Pulock (13-6-3), Devon Toews (3-6-2), Scott Mayfield (2-1-0), Nick Leddy (5-3-3), Brock Nelson (1-0-0), Mathew Barzal (2-2-0).

Highest Ice-Time by Isles Forwards Under Trotz

• 24:59 -  Mathew Barzal – 2/20/20 vs. DET

• 24:35 -  Mathew Barzal – 2/17/20 vs. ARI

• 24:35 - Brock Nelson – 11/9/19 vs. FLA (Career High)

• 24:27 – Mathew Barzal – 2/25/20 vs. NYR (Career High)

• 24:01 - Jordan Eberle – 2/17/20 vs. ARI

• 23:52 – Mathew Barzal – 12/15/18 vs. DET

• 23:23 - Mathew Barzal – 2/15/20 vs. VGK

• 23:15 - Anders Lee – 2/25/20 vs. NYR (Career High)

Face-offs

Isles 22, St. Louis 31 (42%)  

J-G Pageau won 12 of 24 for the Isles (but his teammates won only 10 of 29); Ryan O'Reilly won 13 of 20 for St. Louis.

Hit Count

Isles 17 (Three with 3)

St. Louis 19 (Two with 3)

 

Fights 

There were no fights.  Season total:15 – Johnston-6 (vs. FLA, vs PHL, vs TB, vs NYR, vs WAS, vs VGK), Cizikas-3 (vs. OTT, vs SJ, vs. LA), Lee-2 (vs FLA, vs VGK), Martin-2 (vs NYR, vs NAS), Mayfield (vs ANA), Pageau (vs NYR).

 

Blocked Shots

Isles 20 (Nick Leddy and Ryan Pulock -4)

St. Louis 6 (Vince Dunn -2)

The Isles lead the NHL with 1,088 blocked shots.

For the Analytics Crowd 

Corsi: All situations: Isles 33, St. Louis 58 

Corsi: 5-on-5 Isles 25, St. Louis 53

5-on-5 leaders:

Isles:  No Isle was a "+"

St. Louis: Colton Parayko +18

High Danger Scoring Chances (per Natural Stat Trick)

All situations: Isles 11, St. Louis 10 

5-on-5: Isles 7, St. Louis 8

Back-to-Backs

The Isles are 5-3-0 in the front-half and 6-1-1 in the back-half. The next back-to-back will be March 12th in Calgary and March 13th in Edmonton. Under Barry Trotz, the Isles are 17-2-2 in back-ends.

Night and Day

The Isles are 32-18-6 in night games and 4-2-2 in matinees. The next matinee will be on February 29th vs Boston. 

200 Game Club

The Isles have three players who have active consecutive game streaks of at least 200 games, and they are three of just 25 players in the NHL who have played every game since the start of the 2017-18 season.  It's the first time since November 25, 1978 that the Isles have had three players with streaks of at least 200 games.

Ironman Streaks: Anders Lee 263, Brock Nelson 240, Mathew Barzal 227, Ryan Pulock 190, Josh Bailey 148, Anthony Beauvillier 138, and Devon Toews 111.  No other Islander has played every game this season.

Iron Man

Anders Lee has passed Denis Potvin for the fourth-longest consecutive game streak while Brock Nelson and Mathew Barzal have also moved into the top 10:

1. Billy Harris 10/7/1972 -11/30/1979 576 (*)

2. Bobby Nystrom 1/7/1975 - 11/25/1978 301

3. Matt Moulson 10/3/2009 - 4/4/2013 284

4. Anders Lee 1/26/2017 – CURRENT 263

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

6. John Tavares 10/16/2010 - 12/23/2013 246

7. Brock Nelson 3/16/2017 – CURRENT 240

8. J.P. Parise 1/7/1975 – 1/7/1978 240 (**)

9. Mathew Barzal 10/6/17- CURRENT 227

10. Richard Park 10/5/2006 - 2/18/2009 221

 (*) Start of NHL career.

(**) Entire career with Islanders

Iron D

Ryan Pulock has the fourth-longest consecutive game streak of any defenseman in Islander history: 

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. Ryan Pulock 12/29/2017 – CURRENT 190

 (*) Start of NHL career.

(**) Entire career with Islanders

Scratches

(Adam Pelech-INJ), (Cal Clutterbuck-LTIR/Conditioning), (Casey Cizikas-INJ), Matt Martin, (Andy Greene-INJ).

Total games lost: 145.

Late Heroes 

The Isles have scored five times 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.

2/1 vs VAN – Brock Nelson scored at 19:34, but the Isles lost in OT.

2/11 vs PHI – Ryan Pulock scored the winning goal at 19:19.

2/26 vs NYR – Brock Nelson scored at 19:42, but the Isles lost in OT

Late Goals Allowed

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

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

12/14 vs. BUF -Jack Eichel scored at 18:14, but the Isles won in OT. 

1/16 vs. NYR- Chris Kreider scored the winning goal at 19:35.

2/11 vs. PHI – Sean Couturier scored at 18:28, but the Isles won in regulation.

2/27 vs. STL – Vince Dunn scored at 18:16, and the Blues won in OT.

Challenges

Isles: 4 successful, 2 failures (offside-11/19 vs. PIT), (offside-12/9 vs. TBL), (no goalie Interference 12/21 vs, ANA), (offside-1/6 vs. COL), (offside 1/21 vs NYR), (no goalie interference 2/25 vs NYR)

The Isles are 4-0-0 in games that they are successful and 0-0-2 in games that they are unsuccessful.

Opponents: 4 successful, 3 failures (Nelson-kick 10/8 vs. EDM), (Lee- no high stick 11/1 vs. TB), (Cizikas- no goalie interference 11/23 vs. SJ), (Komarov-goalie interference 1/2 vs. NJ),(no offside 1/18 vs WSH), (Lee-goalie interference 2/4 vs. DAL), (offside- 2/9 vs TBL)

The Isles are 1-1-1 in games where opponents' challenges go their way and 1-3-0 in games that go the opponent's way.

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 860…

17. John Tonelli 594 *** 18. Matt Martin 555 *** 19. Ken Morrow 550 *** 20. Duane Sutter 547 *** 21. Lorne Henning and Brock Nelson 543 *** 23. Claude Lapointe 535 *** 24. Casey Cizikas 534

Goals

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

12. Billy Harris 184 *** 13. Anders Lee 171 *** 14. Ziggy Palffy 168 *** 15. Patrick Flatley 160 *** 16. Josh Bailey 153 *** 17. Pierre Turgeon and Brock Nelson 147

Assists

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

6.  John Tonelli 338 *** 7. Pat Flatley 328 *** 8. Brent Sutter 323 *** 9. Josh Bailey 320 …

20. Ed Westfall 181 *** 21. Kenny Jonsson 175 *** 22. Duane Sutter and Alexei Yashin 171*** 24. Nick Leddy 168

Points

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

11. Derek King 499 *** 12. Patrick Flatley 488 *** 13. Josh Bailey 473…

20. Ziggy Palffy 331 ***  21. Anders Lee 297  ***22. Mariusz Czerkawski 295 *** 23. Duane Sutter 292 *** 24. Brock Nelson 291

Games Played (Goalies)

1. Billy Smith 674 *** 2. Rick DiPietro 318 *** 3. Glenn Resch 282 *** 4. Kelly Hrudey 241 ***

5. Thomas Greiss 191

Wins (Goalie)

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

5.   Thomas Greiss 101

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 …

6. Peter Laviolette 164 *** 7. Ted Nolan 163 *** 8. Butch Goring 154 *** 9. Barry Trotz 145

 

Coaching Wins

1. Al Arbour 740 *** 2. Jack Capuano 227 *** 3. Barry Trotz 82

Season Series Stats

The team split the season series 1 game to 1 (and 3 points to 3).

Each team scored a late goal to tie and an overtime goal to win on home-ice.

The Isles are 4-0-1 in the last five games with St. Louis (four of the five have been decided by a single goal, with three requiring overtime) 

On the Farm   

The Sound Tigers begin a 3-in-3 weekend Friday in Providence.  Bridgeport will host Hartford on Saturday and Binghamton on Sunday. 

Up Next

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 29th  -  BOSTON AT ISLANDERS AT NASSAU COLISEUM –1:00 PM

[MSG/MSG+ (Goring ceremony at 11:30AM, pre-game at 12:30), 88.7 WRHU-FM, WRCN 103.9FM, ESPN-1050]

The Isles return home for a 2-game in 2-building homestand as they entertain the Bruins at the Coliseum as Butch Goring's #91 heads to its rightful place in the Coliseum rafters.

It will be the rubber game of the season series with the Bruins; the Isles won a shootout in Boston in December and then lost in overtime at Barclays Center in January.

The Isles will look to earn points from the Bruins in three straight games in the same season for the first time since 2009.

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