"The Skinny"
By Eric Hornick
Game 27
Isles 5, New Jersey 3
In a game played before 1,000 Healthcare Heroes, the Isles got goals from five different players as they built a 4-0 lead through 40 minutes and defeated the New Jersey Devils 5-3 at the Nassau Coliseum. The win was soured with the loss of Captain Anders Lee, who left the game in the first period and did not return.
The Isles have won seven straight games; Carolina also won their seventh straight this evening and they are the first two NHL teams to have a 7-game win streak this season.
The Islanders have points in 10 straight (matching Boston for the longest streak in the NHL this season) for the 16th time in their history. The Isles extended their season-opening home point streak to 14 games (12-0-2); since 2009-10 only Anaheim (20-0-2 in 2013-14) and Boston (12-0-5 last season) have had longer home streaks to open a season.
Barry Trotz and Lou Lamoriello each celebrated their 100th win with the Islanders.
The first-place Isles are 14-2-4 in their last 20 games; they remain two points ahead of Washington, who beat Philadelphia. The Isles have won twelve straight games against everyone but Pittsburgh during that stretch.
The Scoring:
1st Period
Matt Martin (5) Scott Mayfield (6), Nick Leddy (16) 03:15 NJD 0,NYI 1
Adam Pelech (2) Ryan Pulock (11), Anders Lee (7) 09:54 NJD 0,NYI 2
2nd Period
Noah Dobson (3)OWN 14:05 NJD 0,NYI 3
Josh Bailey (3) Casey Cizikas (7) 17:13 NJD 0,NYI 4
3rd Period
Janne Kuokkanen (3) P.K. Subban (9), Travis Zajac (6) 03:23 NJD 1,NYI 4
Mikhail Maltsev (4) Sami Vatanen (2), Michael McLeod (2) 04:03 NJD 2,NYI 4
Brock Nelson (11) Ryan Pulock (12) 04:44 NJD 2,NYI 5
Jack Hughes (6) Andreas Johnsson (4), Jesper Bratt (9) 15:52 NJD 3,NYI 5
The Skinny
The Isles have points in 18 of their last 20 games (14-2-4); they are 12-0-2 against everyone but Pittsburgh in that stretch… The Isles are 9-0-1 in their last ten games; it is the first time since the 1981-82 season that the Islanders have had two distinct stretches where they earned points in at least eight straight games.…The Isles have won seven straight games; they had a 10-game winning streak last season. It is the first time since 1981-82 to 1983-84 that the Isles have had consecutive seasons with a seven-game winning streak… The Isles have outscored their opponents 27-16 in the first period and 30-19 in the third period; by winning the second period 2-0 tonight, the Isles have now outscored opponents 10-0 in the last four games in the 2nd period (and 22-21 overall)… The Islanders' "Identity Line" had a goal, 9 hits and 5 shots… Brock Nelson extended his point streak to five games (5-1-6) and his goal streak to four games (4-1-5) …Nelson now has 161 career goals, passing Patrick Flatley for 15th place in club history…Nick Leddy extended his team lead with his 16th assist…. The Isles have dressed the same six defensemen in all 27 games this season; it is the second-longest streak in club history (30 in 2006-07)…Two of Noah Dobson's four career goals have been put in off defenders…The Devils' three goals in the third period marked only the second time this season that the Isles have allowed at least three goals in a period (5 in second period in Washington on January 28th); it was the second straight game New Jersey scored three goals in the third period (also Tuesday in Washington).
The Injury
Anders Lee, playing his 295th consecutive game, left the game in the first period after getting tangled up a collision with New Jersey's Pavel Zacha. He did not return.
First Times in a Long Time
• The Isles extended their home point streak to 14 games; it is the longest point streak at home since a club record-tying streak of 23 games in the 1981-82 season.
• The Isles completed a home stand of at least five games with a perfect record for the first time since December 1983
• (And Almost) For much of the game, it appeared that the Isles had points from all six defensemen for the first time since March 29, 1982 (against the Rangers at The Garden). By ruling Noah Dobson's goal an "own goal", the officials stripped assists from JG Pageau and from defenseman Andy Greene.
That Was Fast!
Both Barry Trotz and Lou Lamoriello recorded their 100th wins with the Islanders, with Trotz becoming the third coach and Lamoriello the 4th general manger to do so.
Games to 100 Wins (Isles Coach)
• Barry Trotz 177
• Jack Capuano 240
• Al Arbour 246
Games to 100 Wins (Isles General Manager)
• Lou Lamoriello 177
• Garth Snow 238
• Al Arbour 303
• Mike Milbury 306
Three of a Kind
Barry Trotz is the 17th NHL coach to win 100 games for three teams (Nashville, Washington, and Isles) while Lou Lamoriello is only the 4th NHL general manager to do so (New Jersey, Toronto, and Isles). Lamoriello joined Emile Francis, Bryan Murray, and Brian Burke in that exclusive group.
Kings of 60
The Isles recorded their 16th regulation win (out of 17 overall), tying Edmonton and Toronto for the most regulation wins in the NHL. No other team in the East has won more than 12 games in regulation.
Sorokin's Shining
Ilya Sorokin has allowed only seven goals in his last five games (5-0-0). Sorokin has allowed 18 goals in 481 minutes this season (2.24), and since January 24th he has allowed only 13 goals in his seven appearances (1.85).
Sorokin is the first rookie goalie in Islander history to record a win in five consecutive games; he is the third Isles rookie to record a win in five consecutive decisions (Roland Melanson – 6 games - 1982; Kelly Hrudey - 5 games - 1983-84).
Varly Streaking
Semyon Varlamov is 5-0-1 in his last six games, allowing just 12 goals in that span (1.95, .936). Varly has won 12 games this season with a goals against average of 2.03 and save percentage of .929. All three are the best in the East Division.
What a First Half
The Isles are 17-6-4 through 27 games; Saturday's game in New Jersey will end the first-half of the season.
Most Points through 27 games:
• 40 2019-20 (19-6-2)
• 40 1978-79 (17-4-6)
• 39 1980-85 (17-5-5)
• 38 2020-21 (17-6-4)
• 38 2014-15 (19-8-0)
Home Sweet Home
The Isles have earned points in their first 14 home games (12-0-2). The 26 points are the most in the first 14 home games in club history. The Isles remain the only team in the NHL without a regulation loss at home.
It is the sixth time in club history that the Isles have had a streak of at least 14 games at any point during the season. The previous five all occurred under the coaching of Al Arbour.
Most Points at Home Through 14 Games
• 26 2020-21 (12-0-2)
• 24 1978-79 (10-0-4)
• 23 2019-20 (11-2-1)
Longest Home Point Streak to Open a Season
• 23 1978-79 (19-0-4)
• 14 2020-21 (12-0-2)
• 10 2017-18 (8-0-2)
Longest Home Point Streak at any point in a Season
• 23 1981-82 (21-0-2)
23 1978-79 (19-0-4)
• 16 1977-78 (14-0-2)
• 15 1980-81 (12-0-3)
• 14 2020-21 (11-0-2)
14 1974-75 (10-0-4)
• 13 2019-20 (12-0-1)
13 1979-80 (11-0-2)
Solid D
The Isles have allowed only 60 goals (including 1 shootout winner) in 27 games; it is the fewest goals that they have allowed through 27 games in their history:
• 60 (2020-21)
• 61 (1977-78)
• 64 (1976-77)
• 64 (2015-16)
• 65 (2019-20)
They Can Score Too!
The Isles are the first team in the NHL with five players that have scored at least nine goals (Lee 12, Nelson 11, Pageau 9, Eberle 9, Barzal 9).
Results vs. Each East Division Opponent
• Boston W-W-W-W Remaining games: 4 (0 home, 4 away)
• Buffalo W-W-W-W-W-W Remaining games: 2 (0 home, 2 away)
• New Jersey W-L-W -W Remaining games: 4 (2 home, 2 away)
• Rangers W-L-W Remaining games: 5 (4 home, 1 away)
• Philadelphia Lot-Lot Remaining games: 6 (4 home, 2 away)
• Pittsburgh W-Lso-L-L-Lot-W Remaining games: 2 (0 home, 2 away)
• Washington L-L Remaining games: 6 (4 home, 2 away)
Lots of Home Cooking
This was the final game in a stretch where the Isles played nine out of 10 at home. The Isles went 9-0-1 in this stretch, and have outscored their opponents 39-19:
• W BUF 3-2
• W BOS 7-2
• Lot PIT 3-4
• W PIT 2-0
• W @ NJ 2-1
• W BUF 5-2
• W BUF 5-2
• W BUF 5-2
• W BOS 2-1 (SO)
• W NJ 5-3
The schedule now flips, as eight of the next ten are on the road.
19 in 33
This Isles are in a stretch in which they are scheduled to play 19 games in 33 days for the first time in franchise history. The Isles are 8-0-1 in this stretch.
Home and Road
The Isles are 17-6-4 overall; they are 12-0-2 at home and 5-6-2 on the road.
New Jersey is 8-12-3 overall; they are 2-9-1 at home and 6-3-2 on the road.
Coach Trotz
Barry Trotz is second among active coaches, trailing only Joel Quenneville, in both wins and games. Trotz' NHL record is 862-624-60-155 in 1,701 games.
Most Coaching Wins
1. Scotty Bowman 1,244
2. Joel Quenneville 942
3. Barry Trotz 862
Most Games Coached
1. Scotty Bowman 2,141
2. Joel Quenneville 1,731
3. Barry Trotz 1,701
Sweet Lou
Lou Lamoriello is the third-winningest general manager in NHL history:
1. David Poile 1,425
2. Glen Sather 1,319
3. Lou Lamoriello 1,311
It All Starts at the Top
Lou Lamoriello and Barry Trotz have 2,173 wins between them. They start each game with more than any other pair in NHL history (David Poile and Peter Laviolette had 2,036 after their last game together). Bill Torrey and Al Arbour had a then-record 1,462 at the end of the 1991-92 season, which was their last season together.
97 Over NHL-.500
The win improves the Isles' all-time record to 1,673-1,576-510. It is the first time the Isles are 97 games over NHL-.500 since December 27, 1997, when the Isles fell to 913-816-285 with their third straight defeat.
First Things First
The Isles are 12-1-2 when scoring first and are 5-5-2 when allowing the opening goal.
The Shots
Isles 8-17-9=34
New Jersey 6-5-10=21
The Isles are 13-2-2 when they outshoot their opponents, 1-0-0 when the shots are even and 4-3-2 when they are outshot. Under Barry Trotz, the Isles are 58-28-12 when outshot.
In the Nets
Ilya Sorokin made 18 saves to improve to 5-2-1 on the season and 1-1-0 in his career against New Jersey.
Mackenzie Blackwood made 29 saves but falls to 5-7-1 on the season and 1-2-1 in his career against the Isles.
Special Teams
The Isles were 0-5 on the power play (9:44); New Jersey was 0-1 (1:44).
The Isles are 8-2-3 when they score at least one power play goal and 9-4-1 when they do not. The Isles are 3-5-2 when they allow at least one power play goal and 14-1-2 when they do not.
Three is a Magic Number
The Isles are 12-1-3 when they score at least three goals (including shootout winners) and are 5-5-1 when they do not. Under Barry Trotz, the Isles are 78-6-10 when scoring three or more.
One-Goal Games
The Isles are 5-2-4 in games decided by a single goal including 4-2 in regulation. They are 0-3 in games decided in overtime and are 1-1 in shootouts. The Isles are 0-0 in games in which an empty-net goal turns a 1-goal game into a 2-goal game.
Back-to-Backs
The Isles are 2-0-2 in the front-half and 3-0-1 in the back-half. The next back-to-back is scheduled for March 13th/14th, both road games in New Jersey.
Under Barry Trotz, the Isles are 20-2-3 in back-ends.
Series
The schedule as currently comprised has the Isles playing the same opponent in consecutive games seventeen times this season (including three-game stretches vs. the Sabres and Devils in early March, vs the Flyers in late March and vs. the Caps in late April).
In two-game series, the Isles are 3-2-2 in the first game and 2-4-1 in the second game:
NYR (W/L); NJ (W/L); WAS (L/L); PHI (Lot/Lot), BUF(W/W), PIT (L/L), PIT (Lot/W)
In three-game series, the Isles are 2-0-0 in the first game, 1-0-0 in the second game, and 1-0-0 in the third:
BUF (W/W/W), NJ (W/-/-)
Tired vs. Rested
• The Isles are 3-0-1 when both teams played the night before.
• The Isles are 1-0-0 when they are rested, and their opponents are not.
• The Isles are 0-0-0 when their opponents are rested, and the Isles are not.
• The Isles are 13-6-3 when both teams are rested.
Ice-time Leaders
Isles: Nick Leddy (20:40); New Jersey: Damon Severson (24:35)
Mathew Barzal led Isles forwards with 19:34 of ice-time.
Isles record by ice-time leaders: Nick Leddy (7-1-0), Ryan Pulock (7-3-3), Scott Mayfield (1-1-0), Mathew Barzal (0-1-1), Adam Pelech (2-0-0).
Face-offs
Isles 23, New Jersey 20 (53%)
Brock Nelson won 9 of 11 for the Isles; Travis Zajac won 10 of 16 for New Jersey.
The Isles are 11-4-2 when they win more face-offs than the opposition, 0-1-1 when they are tied, and 6-1-1 when they win fewer.
Hit Count
Isles 18 (Cal Clutterbuck -5)
New Jersey 24 (Nathan Bastian -5)
Fights
There were no fights. Season total: 1 (Cizikas – 1)
Blocked Shots
Isles 17 (Scott Mayfield –4)
New Jersey 13 (Ryan Murray -4)
For the Analytics Crowd
Corsi: All situations: Isles 64, New Jersey 43
Corsi: 5-on-5 Isles 48, New Jersey 39
5-on-5 leaders:
Isles: Adam Pelech +16
New Jersey: Mikhael Maltsev +8
High Danger Scoring Chances (per Natural Stat Trick)
All situations: Isles 20, New Jersey 5
5-on-5: Isles 17, New Jersey 4
Scratches
Ross Johnston, Sebastian Aho, Austin Czarnik
Games Lost: 19
250-Game Club
The Isles have three players who have active consecutive game streaks of at least 250 games, and they are three of just 16 players in the NHL whose streak began no later than the start of the 2017-18 season.
Ironman Streaks: Anders Lee 295, Brock Nelson 272, Mathew Barzal 259, Ryan Pulock 222, Josh Bailey 180. All five players have appeared in every game since Barry Trotz became the Isles' coach.
Iron Man
Anders Lee has the third-longest consecutive game streak in club history, Brock Nelson has the fifth-longest, Mathew Barzal has the seventh-longest and Ryan Pulock has the tenth-longest.:
1. Billy Harris 10/7/1972 -11/30/1979 576 (*)
2. Bobby Nystrom 1/7/1975 - 11/25/1978 301
3. Anders Lee 1/26/2017 – CURRENT 295
4. Matt Moulson 10/3/2009 - 4/4/2013 284
5. Brock Nelson 3/16/2017 – CURRENT 272
6. Denis Potvin 11/29/1975 - 1/17/1979 262
7. Mathew Barzal 10/6/2017- CURRENT 259
8. John Tavares 10/16/2010 - 12/23/2013 246
9. J.P. Parise 1/7/1975 – 1/7/1978 240 (**)
10. Ryan Pulock 12/29/2017 – CURRENT 222
(*) Start of NHL career.
(**) Entire career with Islanders
Pulock's streak is the 2nd-longest by an Islander defenseman, trailing only Denis Potvin's 262-game streak.
Challenges
Isles: 1 successful, 0 failures
The Isles are 1-0-0 in games that they are successful and 0-0-0 in games that they are unsuccessful.(offsides 2/16 @BUF)
Opponents: 1 successful, 1 failure (goalie interference 1/14 @ NYR, no goalie interference 3/11 vs NJ)
The Isles are 1-0-0 in games where opponents' challenges go their way and 1-0-0 in games that go the opponents' way.
Last Minute Heroes:
The Isles have scored 1 goal and allowed 2 goals in the final three minutes of the third period that were either the winning goal or forced overtime:
For: 1 [Anders Lee, 2/6/21 vs PIT (17:14) -winning goal]
Vs: 2 [Justin Schultz, 1/26/21 @ WSH (19:33)-winning goal; Evgeni Malkin, 2/11/21 vs PIT (19:42) – tying goal/PIT won in OT]
All-time Islander Leader Boards:
Games Played (skaters)
1. Bryan Trottier 1,123 *** 2. Denis Potvin 1,060 *** 3. Bob Nystrom 900 *** 4. Josh Bailey 892…
17. John Tonelli 594 *** 18. Matt Martin 587 *** 19. Brock Nelson 575 *** 20. Casey Cizikas 561 …
27. Kyle Okposo 529 *** 28. Anders Lee 520 *** 29. Dave Lewis 514 *** 30. Richard Pilon and Mick Vukota 509*** 32. Cal Clutterbuck 503 *** 33. Ed Westfall 493 *** 34. Nick Leddy 489
Goals
1. Mike Bossy 573 *** 2. Bryan Trottier 500 *** 3. Denis Potvin 310 …
11. John Tonelli 206 *** 12. Billy Harris and Anders Lee 184 *** 14. Ziggy Palffy 168 *** 15. *Brock Nelson 161 *** 16. Patrick Flatley 160 *** 17. Josh Bailey 157
Assists
1. Bryan Trottier 853 *** 2. Denis Potvin 742 *** 3. Mike Bossy 553…
6. John Tonelli 338 *** 7. Josh Bailey 333 …
19. Pierre Turgeon 193 *** 20. Nick Leddy 184
Points
1. Bryan Trottier 1,353 *** 2. Mike Bossy 1,126 *** 3. Denis Potvin 1,052…
10. Bob Nystrom 513 *** 11. Derek King 499 *** 12. Josh Bailey 490…
20. Ziggy Palffy 331 *** 21. Anders Lee 320 *** 22. Brock Nelson 311
Games Coached
1. Al Arbour 1,500 *** 2. Jack Capuano 483 *** 3. Mike Milbury 192 *** 4. Terry Simpson 187 *** 5. Scott Gordon 181 *** 6. Barry Trotz 177
Coaching Wins
1. Al Arbour 740 *** 2. Jack Capuano 227 *** 3. Barry Trotz 100
On the Farm
Bridgeport is 2-6-0-0 on the season (1-1-0-0 vs. Hartford and 1-5-0-0 vs. Providence) following a 3-0 loss to Providence on Wednesday. The same two teams meet Monday afternoon in Marlbourough, Massachusetts.
Season Series Stats
The Isles lead the season series 3 games to 1 (and 6 points to 2). The teams will play again both Saturday and Sunday in Newark and then will not see each other again until the final two games of the regular season.
The Isles are 12-2-0 in their last 14 home games with the Devils.
UP NEXT
SATURDAY, MARCH 13th – ISLANDERS AT NEW JERSEY 7:00pm Eastern Standard Time
[MSG+ (pre-game at 6:30], WRHU 88.7 FM, WRCN 103.9FM, ESPN 98.7FM]
The Isles play the middle game of this three game series and the front-end of their fifth back-to-back of the season as they follow the Devils back to New Jersey.
The Devils have really struggled at home, losing their last nine games (all in regulation) since defeating the Isles 2-0 back on January 24th. They recently completed an 0-5-0 homestand, where they were outscored 22-9.
The teams have played a lot of close games in recent years at Prudential Center. While the Isles are 4-1-0 in the last five games, all four wins are by one goal (including three beyond 60 minutes).
The team will conclude the series on Sunday at 5pm Eastern Daylight Time.
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
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