The Skinny: Philadelphia 4, Isles 3 (OT)

"The Skinny"

By Eric Hornick

Eastern Conference Round 2 Game 5

Philadelphia 4, Isles 3 (OT)

Isles lead best-of-7 series, 3-2

Scott Laughton tipped in an Ivan Provorov shot for the winning goal 12:20 into overtime as the Philadelphia Flyers overcame a late Islander rally and defeated the Isles 4-3 in game five of their Round 2 series at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto.  

Brock Nelson and Derick Brassard scored in the final 4:14 to force overtime; it was the latest comeback from a 2-goal deficit in Isles playoff history, surpassing the comeback vs. Pittsburgh in Game 5 on April 13, 1982 (2 goals in final 5:27)

The Isles still need one more win to advance to Edmonton and face the Tampa Bay Lightning in the Conference Finals; game 6 will be on Thursday (7:00pm).  

The Scoring: 

1st Period

No Goals

2nd Period

Mathew Barzal (4) Jordan Eberle (6), Josh Bailey (7) 01:20 NYI 1,PHI 0 PPG

Claude Giroux (1) Philippe Myers (1), Sean Couturier (7) 15:45 NYI 1,PHI 1

James van Riemsdyk (1) Scott Laughton (4), Travis Konecny (5) 18:18 NYI 1,PHI 2

3rd Period

Matt Niskanen (1) Travis Konecny (6), Kevin Hayes (8) 04:32 NYI 1,PHI 3

Brock Nelson (6) Josh Bailey (6), Scott Mayfield (4) 15:46 NYI 2,PHI 3

Derick Brassard (1) Cal Clutterbuck (1), Casey Cizikas (2) 17:19 NYI 3,PHI 3

OT

Scott Laughton (4) Ivan Provorov (4), Claude Giroux (6) 12:20 NYI 3,PHI 4

The Series (Isles lead 3-2)

Game 1: Isles 4 Philadelphia 0

Game 2: Philadelphia 4 Isles 3 (OT)

Game 3: Isles 3 Philadelphia 1

Game 4: Isles 3 Philadelphia 2

Game 5: Philadelphia 4 Isles 3 (OT)

Game 6: Thursday September 3rd  (7:00pm)

Game 7: (if needed) Saturday, September 5th

The Skinny

The Isles have outscored the Flyers 10-2 in the third period after outscoring the Caps 7-1 in the third period; the Isles have allowed only two third period goals in their ten wins this post-season and lead the NHL with 21 third period goals in this year's playoffs… Nick Leddy played his 40th playoff game as an Islander without being penalized, extending his own club record...The shots finished even at 32; it's the fourth time that the shots have finished exactly even in an Islander game this summer …The Isles have been shorthanded only seven times in the first five games of this series; that is two fewer than any other series through five games (records date to 1978). The previous record was 97, set in 2015 vs. Washington…The Flyers had been 0-4 this year and 0-10 in their last three playoff years (2016, 2018, 2020) when allowing the first goal before their win tonight… Josh Bailey, who recorded his 5th multi-point game, is now 3rd in the NHL with his 13 assists…. This was the first Isles game ever played in September (except pre-season)…Carter Hart is the fifth active goalie to win a game to stave off elimination before his 23rd birthday; Semyon Varlamov did that four times with Washington in 2009.

The Injuries

• Sean Couturier left the game after a collision in the second period. He did not return.

• Mathew Barzal left the game after being struck on the follow-though of Claude Giroux's stick in the third period.  He did not return.

The Scoring Change

After the game, the Isles' first goal was changed to be a Mathew Barzal goal.  It made it another two-assist game for Josh Bailey.  Bailey is now 3rd in the playoffs with 13 assists, behind Nathan McKinnon (15) and Miro Heiskanan (14).

First Times in a Long Time (Playoff Only)

• Cal Clutterbuck's assist was his first in 22 playoff games (May 3, 2016 vs. Tampa Bay).

• Josh Bailey is the first Isle with at least four multi-assist games in a single post-season since Bob Bourne in 1983.

• The Isles have lost two overtime games in a series for the first time since Games 3 and 4 vs. Tampa Bay in 2016. 

• The Isles lost an overtime game when a win would have clinched a series for only the second time in their history (April 29, 1978 – Game 7 vs. Toronto)

Sound Familiar?

The Isles have won games 1, 3, and 4, while the Flyers have won games 2 and 5.  The 1980 series also went that way through five games; Bobby Nystrom's overtime goal won the Stanley Cup in Game 6.

A Special Summer

The Isles have won 10 games this summer. It is their most wins in a single post-season since the Dynasty Era:

• 1980 -15

• 1981 -15

• 1982 -15

• 1983 -15

• 1984 -12

• 2020 -10

Pageau, Pageau, JG Pageau

JG Pageau has 19 goals in 49 career Stanley Cup games. Among active players who have played 49 or fewer games, only Jake Guentzel has scored more goals:

• Jake Guentzel 25 goals in 45 games

• JG Pageau 19 goals in 49 games

• Nathan MacKinnon 19 goals in 38 games

• Mark Stone 17 goals in 45 games

• Mark Schiefele 16 goals in 28 games

• Jamie Benn 16 goals in 46 games

Pageau's 7 playoff goals this summer are the 5th highest in a player's first playoff with the Isles:

• Ray Ferraro 13 (1993)

• Steve Thomas 9 (1993)

• Patrick Flatley 9 (1984)

• JP Parise 8 (1975)

• JG Pageau 7 (2020)

Plus, Plus, Plus

The Isles now have three players +9 or better:

• JG Pageau +11 

• Nick Leddy +9

• Josh Bailey +9

No Isle has finished a playoff year higher than +6 (Benoit Hogue in 1993) in the Post-Cup era. Denis Potvin (team-leading +20) was one of five Isles +16 or better in 1983.

Pageau is one of only six players in NHL +10 or better (Alec Martinez +12, Cole Makar +12, Victor Hedman +11, Nathan McKinnon +11, Mikko Rantanen +10)

Beau + Pageau = Goals

Anthony Beauvillier and JG Pageau each has seven goals this summer, leaving them fourth in goals by an Islander in a single post-season in the Post-Cup Era.

• Ray Ferraro 13 (1993)

• Steve Thomas 9 (1993)

• Bryan Trottier 8 (1987)

• Anthony Beauvillier 7 (2020)

• JG Pageau 7 (2020)

Hey, Josh Bailey

Josh Bailey now has thirteen assists this summer, passing Derek King for most assists by an Islander in a single post-season in the Post-Cup Era.

• Josh Bailey 13 (2020)

• Derek King 11 (1993)

• Steve Thomas 8 (1993)

• Pat LaFontaine 8 (1987)

• John Tonelli 8 (1985)

• Mathew Barzal 7 (2020)

Bailey is the only Isle to have four multi-assist games in a single post-season in the Post-Cup Era and joins Bryan Trottier (2x), Mike Bossy (2x), Denis Potvin (2x) and Bob Bourne as the only Isles to ever have at least four multi-assist games in one post-season.  (Bryan Trottier had 7 of them in 1982).

Hey, Josh Bailey II

Bailey now has 15 points this summer, passing Derek King for third in points by an Islander in a single post-season in the Post-Cup Era.

• Ray Ferraro 20 (1993)

• Steve Thomas 17 (1993)

• Josh Bailey 15 (2020)

• Derek King 14 (1993)

Thanks for the Help

Ryan Pulock now has six assists this summer, matching the most by an Islander defenseman in a single post-season in the Post-Cup Era.

• Ryan Pulock 6 (2020)

• Roman Hamrlik 6 (2002)

• Dennis Vaske 6 (1993)

• Vladimir Malakhov 6 (1993)

Brock Best

Brock Nelson now has 13 playoff goals for the Islanders, more than any Isles in the 2000s:

• Brock Nelson 13

• John Tavares 11

• Josh Bailey 10

Elite Eight Again!

The Isles are in Round 2 for the second straight season and third time in the last five years.  In those five years, no Eastern Conference team has advanced to Round 2 more than the Isles.  Tampa Bay, Boston, Pittsburgh, and Washington have also appeared in the Elite 8 three times.

Longest Playoff Shutout Streaks by a Goalie:

• Semyon Varlamov 138:17 (8/20-8/26/2020)

• Billy Smith  136:59 (4/11-4/16/1980)

• Robin Lehner 123:29 (4/16-4/26/2019)

The Isles' team shutout record in post-season play is 182:50, set in April 1979 (all vs. Chicago).

Familiar Foes

This is the 5th meeting of the Isles and Philadelphia in the playoffs (Isles are 1-3 and have won 14 of 30 games):

• 1975 Semi-Finals  Flyers won series 4-3

• 1980 STANLEY CUP FINAL  Isles won series, and Stanley Cup  4-2

• 1985 Patrick Division Finals  Flyers won series 4-1

• 1987 Patrick Division Finals  Flyers won series 4-3

• 2020 Eastern Conference Second Round  Isles lead series 3-2

2020 is the third straight playoff meeting between the teams that followed the Isles eliminating Washington; the winner of each previous Islander-Flyer series between the teams has at least reached the Stanley Cup Final.

Barry and Al

Barry Trotz is only the 2nd coach to lead the Isles to multiple series wins, joining Al Arbour.  Terry Simpson and Jack Capuano are the only other coaches to lead the Isles to a playoff series victory.

Lou and Bill

Lou Lamoriello has won 28 playoff series as a General Manager, tying Bill Torrey for second place on the all-time list. Glen Sather has 41 wins.

Overtime is Our Time

The Isles are 35-19 (.648) all-time in overtime, including 19-10 (.655) at home. The .648 overall percentage is 2nd to Tampa Bay (19-8 .704) while the .655 home percentages is the best in NHL history. The Isles are 1-2 in overtime this season; they have gone 6-6 in twelve overtime games since 2015.

Overtime vs. Philadelphia

The Isles are 3-3 all-time in playoff overtime games vs. Philadelphia:

• 05/01/75 @ Bob Clarke         L Phil 2:56 

• 05/07/75 Vs Jude Drouin W Phil 1:53 

• 05/13/80 @ Denis Potvin W Phil 4:07 

• 05/24/80 Vs Bobby Nystrom W Phil 7:11

• 08/26/20 @(Tor) Philippe Myers  L     Phil   2:41

• 09/02/20 @(Tor) Scott Laughton L Phil     12:20

Lead/Tie/Trailed

Game 1: Led: 53:54, Tied: 6:06,  Trailed: 0:00 

Game 2: Led:  0:00. Tied 6:47, Trailed: 55:54

Game 3: Led: 20:06, Tied 27:00, Trailed 12:54

Game 4: Led: 21:09, Tied 38:51, Trailed: 0:00 

Game 5: Led: 14:25, Tied 38:54, Trailed: 19:01

Series:   Led: 109:34, Tied: 117:38,  Trailed: 87:49 

Vs Florida:  Led: 120:01, Tied: 58:56,  Trailed 61:03

Vs. Washington  Led  130:12, Tied 120:32, Trailed: 53:44

Playoffs All-Time

The Isles fall to 158-128 in 286 all-time playoff games.  They are 89-47 at home (including 2-5 at Barclays and 5-1 in Toronto) and 69-81 on the road. In this year's playoffs, the Isles are 5-1 when they are the home team and 5-3 when they are the road team.

A Winning Summer

With a record of 10-4 in the playoffs, the Isles are guaranteed to win more games than they lost for the first time in the post-Cup era.  It is the most games the Isles have won in the playoffs since 1984, when they won 12.

Coach Trotz

Barry Trotz is second among active coaches, trailing only Joel Quenneville, in both wins and games. Trotz' NHL record is 845-618-60-151 in 1,674 games and will begin next season just 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  925

3. Ken Hitchcock    849

4. Barry Trotz    845

5. Al Arbour    782

Most Games Coached

1. Scotty Bowman   2,141

2. Joel Quenneville 1,705

3. Barry Trotz        1,674

4. Al Arbour 1,607 

Coach Trotz (Playoffs)

Barry Trotz has now coached 135 playoff games (69-66).  His 69 wins are 15th all time.  Trotz won the Stanley Cup with Washington in 2018; Joel Quenneville (3) and Mike Sullivan (2) are the only active coaches with multiple Stanley Cups.

Most playoff wins by Islander coaches:

• Al Arbour 119

• Barry Trotz 14

• Jack Capuano 10

• Terry Simpson 9

• Peter Laviolette 4

• Ted Nolan 1

• Steve Stirling 1

Most playoff games coached (Islanders):

• Al Arbour 198

• Jack Capuano 24

• Barry Trotz 22

• Terry Simpson 20

• Peter Laviolette 12

• Steve Stirling 5

• Ted Nolan 5

Most overtime wins/overtime record:

• Al Arbour 26 (26-9)

• Jack Capuano 4 (4-5)

• Terry Simpson 3 (3-0)

• Barry Trotz 2 (2-3)

• Peter Laviolette 0 (0-1)

• Steve Stirling 0 (0-1)

Most playoff series wins:

• Al Arbour 29

• Barry Trotz 3

• Jack Capuano 1

• Terry Simpson 1

First Things First

The Isles are 6-2 when scoring first and are 4-2 when allowing the first goal in the playoffs.

The Shots

Isles           4-9-12-7=32

Philadelphia  11-11-6-4=32

Shots by Game

• Game 1: Isles 29, Philadelphia 29

• Game 2: Isles 34, Philadelphia 31

• Game 3: Isles 29, Philadelphia 27

• Game 4: Isles 33, Philadelphia 38

• Game 5: Isles 32, Philadelphia 32

• Series: Isles 157, Philadelphia 157

•

• Vs. Florida: Isles 122, Florida 103

• Vs. Washington: Isles 136, Washington 124

• Playoffs: Isles 415, Opponents 384

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

In the Nets

Semyon Varlamov made 29 saves but falls to 9-3 in this year's playoffs and 22-16 in his career. He 5-6 all-time in overtime, including 1-2 this year. 

Carter Hart made 28 saves and improves to 8-4 in the playoffs (all this year), including 2-0 in overtime.

Power Plays

The Isles were 1-4 on the power play in 7:12 of PP time; Philadelphia was 0-2 on the power play in 3:27 of PP time.

Power Plays by Game

• Game 1: Isles 0-1 (2:00, 0 shots), Philadelphia 0-1 (2:00, 1 shot)

• Game 2: Isles 1-3 (4:17, 5 shots), Philadelphia 0-2 (4:00, 2 shots)

• Game 3: Isles 1-2 (3:13, 1 shot), Philadelphia 0-1 (2:00, 4 shots)

• Game 4: Isles 0-1 (2:00, 9 shots), Philadelphia 0-1 (2:00, 0 shots)

• Game 5: Isles 1-4 (7:12, 4 shots), Philadelphia 0-2 (3:27, 2 shots)

•

• Series: Isles 3-11 (18:42, 19 shots), Philadelphia 0-7 (13:27, 9 shots)

•

• Vs. Florida: Isles 4-13 (23:55; 15 shots), Florida 4-14 (16:51, 21 shots)

• Series: Isles 2-22 (34:26, 29 shots), Washington 4-18 (24:57, 20 shots)

• Playoffs:  Power Play: 9-46 (79:03, 63 shots), Penalty Kill 8-39 (55:15, 50 shots)

Three is a Magic Number

The Isles are 8-2 in the playoffs (7-0 in regulation and 0-2 in overtime) when they score at least three goals and 2-2 when they do not. 

Shutting the Door

The Isles are 10-0 when allowing two or fewer goals in this year's playoffs.  (The Isles won 25 straight, and 39 out of 40 games in the Dynasty era allowing two or fewer goals in a playoff game)

One Goal Games

The Isles are 3-4 in the playoffs in one-goal games (2-2 in regulation and 1-2 in overtime). The Isles are 0-0 in playoff games where an empty-net goal turns a 1-goal game into a 2-goal game.

Ice-time Leaders

Isles: Adam Pelech (25:12);  Philadelphia: Ivan Provorov (29:04)

Jordan Eberle led Isles forwards with 23:23 of ice-time 

Isles record by ice-time leader: Scott Mayfield (1-0), Adam Pelech (6-1), Mathew Barzal (2-1), Nick Leddy (1-1), Devon Toews (0-1)

Face-offs

Isles 28, Philadelphia 34 (45%).

JG Pageau won 9 of 17 for the Isles; Nate Thompson won 9 of 13 for Philadelphia.  

Face-offs by Game

• Game 1: Isles 28, Philadelphia 30 (48%)

• Game 2: Isles 31, Philadelphia 27 (53%)

• Game 3: Isles 25, Philadelphia 26 (49%)

• Game 4: Isles 31, Philadelphia 25 (55%) 

• Game 5: Isles 28, Philadelphia 34 (45%)

• Series: Isles 143, Philadelphia 142 (50%)

•

• Vs. Florida:  Isles 106, Florida 127 (45%)

• Vs. Washington: Isles 156, Washington 122 (56%)

• Playoffs: Isles 405, Opponents 391 (51%)

Hit Count

Isles 56 (Cal Clutterbuck -8)

Philadelphia 53 (Nicolas Aube-Kubel -8)

Hits Game by Game:

• Game 1: Isles 34, Philadelphia 29

• Game 2: Isles 39, Philadelphia 31

• Game 3: Isles 36, Philadelphia 33 

• Game 4: Isles 35, Philadelphia 39

• Game 5: Isles 56, Philadelphia 53

• Series: Isles 200, Philadelphia 185

•

• Vs. Florida:  Isles 128, Florida 124

• Series: Isles 194, Washington 177

• Playoffs: Isles 522, Opponents 486

Fights

There were no fights. Playoff total -1  (Lee -1)

Blocked Shots

Isles 28 (Adam Pelech -5)

Philadelphia 10 (Ivan Provorov -3)

For the Analytics Crowd 

Corsi: All situations: Isles 60, Philadelphia 79 

Corsi: 5-on-5 Isles 51, Philadelphia 71

5-on-5 leaders:

Isles:  Devon Toews +7

Philadelphia: Jakub Voracek +16

Corsi Game by Game:

• Game 1 (All) Isles 51, Philadelphia 67;  (5-on-5) Isles 47, Philadelphia 63

• Game 2 (All) Isles 71, Philadelphia 53;  (5-on-5) Isles 63, Philadelphia 48

• Game 3 (All) Isles 57, Philadelphia 63;  (5-on-5) Isles 54, Philadelphia 56

• Game 4 (All) Isles 52, Philadelphia 68;  (5-on-5) Isles 38, Philadelphia 63

• Game 5 (All) Isles 60, Philadelphia 79;  (5-on-5) Isles 51, Philadelphia 71

•

• Series: (All) Isles 291, Philadelphia 330;  (5-on-5) Isles 253, Philadelphia 301

•

• Vs Florida (All) Isles 226, Florida 224;  (5-on-5) Isles 174, Florida 168

• Vs Washington: (All) Isles 260, Washington 294; (5-on-5) Isles 190, Washington 212

• Playoffs (All)  Isles 777, Opponent 846; (5-on-5) Isles 617, Opponent 681

Scratches

Michael DalColle, Ross Johnston, Johnny Boychuk, Tom Kuhnhackl, Noah Dobson, Andrew Ladd, Otto Koivula, Thomas Hickey, Sebastian Aho, Christopher Gibson

Playoff games lost: 5. 

Post-Season Late Heroes (Final Two Minutes of Regulation, or Overtime)

• Mathew Barzal – Game 3 vs. Washington (8/18/20) – 4:28 of OT

Post-Season Late Goals Allowed

• Philippe Myers – Game 2 vs. Philadelphia (8/26/20) – 2:41 of OT

• Scott Laughton – Game 5 vs. Philadelphia (9/1/20) – 12:20 of OT

Playoff Challenges

None

Active Islander Playoff Leaders: (As NYI)

Games:

Casey Cizikas 46

Matt Martin 46

Josh Bailey 44

Nick Leddy 40

Goals:

Brock Nelson 13 

Josh Bailey 10

Anthony Beauvillier 8

Anders Lee 7

Jordan Eberle 7

JG Pageau 7

Mathew Barzal 6

Cal Clutterbuck 5

Assists:

Josh Bailey 22

Mathew Barzal 12

Jordan Eberle 11

Nick Leddy 10

Brock Nelson 9

Ryan Pulock 9

Devon Toews 9

Points:

Josh Bailey 32

Brock Nelson 22

Jordan Eberle 18

Mathew Barzal 18

Nick Leddy 14

Anthony Beauvillier 13

Penalty Minutes:

Matt Martin 48

Cal Clutterbuck 44

Casey Cizikas 40

PP Goals

Mathew Barzal 3

Josh Bailey 2

Anthony Beauvillier 2

Brock Nelson 2 

Ryan Pulock 2

Anders Lee 2

Devon Toews 1

Jordan Eberle 1

Nick Leddy 1

SH Goals

Josh Bailey 1

 

GW Goals

Brock Nelson 4

Anthony Beauvillier 3

Jordan Eberle 2

Josh Bailey 2

Thomas Hickey 1

Mathew Barzal 1

Andy Greene 1

Leo Komarov 1

OT Goals 

Josh Bailey 1

Mathew Barzal 1

Thomas Hickey 1

Goaltending

Thomas Greiss  6-7  2.39 GAA, .923 save percentage

Semyon Varlamov 9-3 1.85 GAA, .929 save percentage

Up Next

ROUND 2- GAME 6 – THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 3rd – 7:00pm

ISLANDERS VS.  PHILADELPHIA (AT TORONTO)  

[NBCSN, 88.7 WRHU-FM, WRCN 103.9FM, ESPN-Radio; 30-minute pre-game and expanded post-game on MSG+]

The Isles will have their second opportunity to eliminate the Flyers and head to Edmonton for the Conference Finals with a win on Thursday. The Isles are 10-1 all-time when they lead a series 3-2, while the Flyers are 3-17 when they trail 3-2.  

Anthony Beauvillier had the game-winning goal in the clinchers against both Florida and Washington, joining Mike Bossy (1981 and 1983) as the only Isle to do so twice in one year. Martin Gelinas (2004) and Ken Linseman (1984) and the only NHLers to ever do it in three series in one year.

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