The Skinny: Isles 4, Columbus 3

"The Skinny"      

By Eric Hornick

Game 65

Isles 4, Columbus 3

Brock Nelson scored for the 4th straight game and later added an assist while Semyon Varlamov made 42 saves as the Islanders built a 4-1 lead and then held on for a 4-3 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets before a crowd of 15,557 at Nationwide Arena. 

Vladislav Gavrikov scored twice for Columbus, but the Isles scored four goals in between those tallies, with Zach Parise eventually getting credit for the winning goal in the Islanders' eighth comeback win of the season.

The win ends an Islander two-game losing streak as they improve to 29-27-9 on the season.

The Scoring:

1st Period

Vladislav Gavrikov (4) Patrik Laine (25), Andrew Peeke (13) 07:20 NYI 0,CBJ 1

Brock Nelson (32)  Anders Lee (14), Mathew Barzal (31) 11:47  NYI 1,CBJ 1 PPG

Josh Bailey (8) Jean-Gabriel Pageau (19) 15:09 NYI 2,CBJ 1

2nd Period

Anthony Beauvillier (11) Brock Nelson (16), Anders Lee (15) 03:47 NYI 3,CBJ 1

Zach Parise (11) Noah Dobson (28), Mathew Barzal (32) 09:10 NYI 4,CBJ 1

Vladislav Gavrikov (5) Jakub Voracek (44), Patrik Laine (26) 13:32 NYI 4,CBJ 2

3rd Period

Oliver Bjorkstrand (24) 4:30 NYI 4, CBJ 3

The Skinny           

Brock Nelson is 13-7-20 in March (15 games); Nelson remains tied with Kirill Kaprizov for the most goals this month.  Nelson, who now has 200 career goals, has scored 17 goals in 22 games since February 17th – tied with Auston Mathews for the most goals in the NHL in that span...Nelson also extended his points streak to five games (5-4-9)…The Isles alternated goalies for the 16th straight game ... Anders Lee is 11-9-20 in the last thirteen games…This was the 800th NHL game for Matt Martin; his next appearance will tie John Tavares (669) for 10th place in club history…Cory Schneider served as the back-up as Ilya Sorokin was left back in New York…Zach Parise recorded his 79th career game-winning goal; among actives only Alex Ovechkin (121) and Jeff Carter have more (86)…Jodh Bailey's goal was his 543rd point, passing Bob Bourne for 9th place in club history and leaving him one point behind John Tonelli…Jakub Voracek extended his point streak to six games; 44 of his 49 points this season are assists…The Jackets are winless in their last four games (0-2-2)… Vladislav Gavrikov joins Cale Makar and Shea Theodore as defensemen to score twice in a game against the Isles.

Whoa, NEL – LEE!

Brock Nelson and Anders Lee are reaching goal totals this month rarely seen by an Islander in recent years:  

• Nelson scored his 13th goal tonight, becoming the first Islander since Zigmund Palffy (13 in March 1996) to score at least 13 goals in any month.

• They are the first Islander teammates since Matt Moulson and Michael Grabner (February 2011) to reach double figures in the same month.

• They are the first Islander teammates since Mike Bossy and Bryan Trottier (January 1986) to each score at least 11 goals in a month.

• They are the first Islanders since Lee had eleven goals in December 2017 to score at least 10 goals in a month.

The 200 Club

Brock Nelson is the 13th player in club history to reach 200 goals (Anders Lee did it earlier this month).

Home is Where The Sorokin Is

Ilya Sorokin falls to 12-4-3 at UBS Arena. His 1.86 GAA is the lowest of any goalie who has played at least ten home games.

Since February 1st, he has been even better, going 6-1-1 in eight home starts (1.55 GAA, .950 save percentage); both the goals against and save percentage are the best in the NHL among goalies who have played at least four home games in that stretch.

Great in the Nets

• Ilya Sorokin is 5-2-0 in his last seven games; he has allowed just eleven goals in those seven games (1.66, .951).  Both the goals against and save percentage are the best in the NHL among goalies who have played at least four games in that stretch.

• Semyon Varlamov is 4-1-1 in his last six decisions. 

Special Special Teams

The Isles went 1-4 on the power play and are 12-37 (32.43%) in their last thirteen games. Since March 5th, only Colorado (13) has more power play goals than the Isles.

The Isles killed all three of their penalties and have now killed 42 of 48 in the last 17 games (87.5%).  At home they are even better, having killed 30 of 32 since the beginning of February; their 93.8% home PK in that span is second in the NHL to Carolina's 94.4%.

Zach Attack

Zach Parise, the 100th-leading goal scorer in NHL history, now had 404 goals, leaving him two behind Rod Gilbert and John LeClair, three behind Marian Gaborik and four behind Patrik Elias and Ray Ferraro.

All-Star Break Splits

The Islander offense has improved significantly since the All-Star break. The Isles scored 92 goals in 39 games before the break (2.4/gm) and have scored 86 in 26 games since the break (3.3/gm).  

Forwards:

Before: 80-106-186 in 39 games (4.8/gm)

After:   76-93-169 in 26 games  (6.5/gm)

Defense:

Before: 12-47-59 in 39 games (1.5/gm)

After:     9-57-66 in 26 games (2.5/gm)

Most Career Goals by an Islander Wearing #27

1. Derek King 211

2. Anders Lee 209

3. John Tonelli 206

Most Shutouts In a Season

• 7 Chico Resch 1975-76

• 7 Semyon Varlamov 2020-21 (56-game season)

• 6 Ilya Sorokin 2021-22

• 6 Robin Lehner 2018-19

• 6 Jaroslav Halak 2014-15

March Madness

The Isles are playing 17 games this month, most of any month in franchise history  The Isles are 9-6-1 this month.

Home and Road

The Isles are 29-27-9 overall; they are 17-13-4 at home and 12-14-5 on the road.

Columbus is 32-30-5 overall; they are 18-14-3 at home and 14-18-2 on the road.

Home is Where the Fans Are

The Isles have played 34 home games and recorded 26 sellouts. The sellout crowds of 17,255 are the largest indoor crowds to ever see the Islanders play at home. 

Leader of the Pack

Barry Trotz has coached more games and recorded more victories than any other active coach. Trotz' NHL record is 906-663-60-166 in 1,795 games.

Most Coaching Wins

1. Scotty Bowman  1,244

2. Joel Quenneville  970

3. Barry Trotz    906

Most Games Coached

1. Scotty Bowman  2,141

2. Barry Trotz        1,795

3. Joel Quenneville 1,768

Sweet Lou

Lou Lamoriello has the second-highest win total for any general manager in NHL history:

1. David Poile 1,484  (pending late game)

2. Lou Lamoriello 1,355

3. Glen Sather 1,319

It All Starts at the Top

Lou Lamoriello and Barry Trotz have 2,261 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. 

First Things First

The Isles are 23-8-5 when scoring first and are 6-19-4 when allowing the opening goal. 

The Shots

Isles    12-14-3=29

Columbus    17-12-16=45

The Isles are 11-6-4 when they outshoot their opponents, 0-1-1 when the shots are even and 18-20-4 when they are outshot. Under Barry Trotz, the Isles are 83-56-17 when outshot.

In the Nets

Semyon Varlamov made 42 saves; he is 7-13-2 on the season and 8-5-2 vs Columbus.

Elvis Mezilinkins made 25 saves; he is 22-16-5 on the season and 1-2-0 vs. the Isles.   

Special Teams

The Isles were 1-4 on the power play (4:39); Columbus was 0-3 on the power play (6:00).

The Isles are 16-8-5 when they score at least one power play goal and 13-19-4 when they do not. The Isles are 6-12-4 when they allow at least one power play goal and 23-15-5 when they do not.

Three is a Magic Number

The Isles are 25-8-4 when they score at least three goals (including shootout winners) and are 4-19-5 when they do not. Under Barry Trotz, the Isles are 112-17-15 when scoring three or more.

One-Goal Games

The Isles are 8-8-9 in games decided by a single goal including 6-8 in regulation. They are 1-3 in games decided in overtime and are 1-6 in shootouts. The Isles are 1-6 in games in which an empty-net goal turns a 1-goal game into a 2-goal game (including one game the Isles scored after allowing an empty-netter).

Back-to-Backs

The Isles are 7-5-1 in the front end and 4-8-1 in the back end. The next back-to-back will be March 31st vs. Columbus and April 1st at the Rangers.

 

Under Barry Trotz, the Isles are 25-12-5 in back-ends. 

Matinee Isles

The Isles are 3-4-3 in matinees this season; the next matinee will be on April 3rd in New Jersey. The Isles will play thirteen matinees this season.

Ice-time Leaders

Isles: Adam Pelech (23:50); Columbus: Vladislav Gavrikov (25:24)

Zach Parise Lee led Isles forwards with 19;23 of ice-time. 

Isles record by ice-time leaders: Adam Pelech (12-5-4), Noah Dobson (7-9-3), Ryan Pulock (6-4-1), Anthony Beauvillier (0-1-0), Mathew Barzal (0-0-1), Zdeno Chara (2-1-0), Sebastian Aho (0-1-0), Robin Salo (0-2-0), Scott Mayfield (0-3-0), Jean-Gabriel Pageau (0-2-0).

Face-offs

Isles 23, Columbus 30 (43%)

Brock Nelson won 11 of 17 for the Isles; Brendan Gaunce won 5 of 7 for Columbus.

Hit Count

Isles 17 (Two with 3)

Columbus 20 (Two with 4)

Fights 

There were no fights. Season total: 20 (Chara 5, Martin 5, Johnston 3, Pageau 2, Mayfield 2,  Bellows 1, Nelson 1, Palmieri 1, Wahlstrom 1)

 

Blocked Shots

Isles 14 (Ryan Pulock -4)

Columbus 5 (Vladislav Gavrikov - 3)

For the Analytics Crowd 

Corsi: All situations: Isles 45, Columbus 70

Corsi: 5-on-5: Isles 38, Columbus 61

5-on-5 leaders:

Isles: Anders Lee +4

Columbus: Jake Beau +19

High Danger Scoring Chances (per Natural Stat Trick)

All situations: Isles 7, Columbus 12

5-on-5: Isles 6, Columbus 10

Scratches

(Cal Clutterbuck-INJ), (Scott Mayfield-INJ), Ross Johnston, (Sebastian Aho-INJ), (Ilya Sorokin-INJ)

Games Lost: 138 (89 to injuries and 49 to COVID protocol)

Zach Parise is the only Islander to have played in every game this season.

Challenges

Isles: 3 successful, 1 failure

The Isles are 2-0-1 in games that they are successful (offside 1/18 @PHI, no goalie interference 2/22 @SEA, offside 3/15 @ WSH) and 0-1-0 in games that they are unsuccessful (no goalie interference 10/14 @CAR).

Opponents: 5 successful, 1 failure

The Isles are 2-2-1 in games where opponents' challenges go their way (goalie interference 10/16 @FLA and 10/23 @ARI; offside 12/19 vs VGK, goalie interference 3/5 vs STL, goalie interference 3/27 vs TB) and 0-0-1 in games where challenges go the Isles' way (goalie interference 3/15 vs WSH)

Last Minute Heroes:

The Isles have scored four goals and allowed two goals in the final three minutes of the third period that were either the winning goal or forced overtime:

For: 4  (Noah Dobson 19:56 – 12/5/21 vs CHI; Isles lost in SO) (Brock Nelson 17:03 – 2/20/22 vs OTT; Isles lost in SO), (Anders Lee 18:01 – 3/15/22 @ WSH; Isles lost in SO), (Kyle Palmieri 17:16 – 3/17/22 vs. NYR -GWG)

Vs:  2 (Eeli Tolvanen 19:48 – 12/9/21 vs NSH-GWG), (Shea Theodore 19:12 – 12/19/21 vs VGK; Isles lost in SO)

All-time Islander Leader Boards:

Games Played (skaters)

1. Bryan Trottier 1,123 *** 2. Denis Potvin 1,060 *** 3. Josh Bailey 976…

9. Brent Sutter 694 *** 10. John Tavares 669 *** 11. Matt Martin 668  *** 12. Brock Nelson 660 *** 13. Casey Cizikas 648 … 

18. Kenny Jonsson 597 *** 19. Garry Howatt 596 *** 20. John Tonelli 594 *** 21. Cal Clutterbuck 587 *** 22. Anders Lee 579

Goals    

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

9. Bobby Nystrom 235 *** 10. Derek King 211 *** 11. Anders Lee 209 *** 12. John Tonelli 206 *** 13. Brock Nelson 200 *** 14 Billy Harris 184 *** 15. Josh Bailey 170

Assists

1. Bryan Trottier 853 *** 2. Denis Potvin 742 *** 3. Mike Bossy 553 *** 4. Josh Bailey 373…

17. Frans Nielsen and Kyle Okposo 230 *** 19. Mathew Barzal 206 ***20. Nick Leddy 198 *** 21. Pierre Turgeon 193 *** 22. Ed Westfall 181 *** 23. Brock Nelson 176

Points

1. Bryan Trottier 1,353 *** 2. Mike Bossy 1,126 *** 3. Denis Potvin 1,052…

8. John Tonelli 544 *** 9. Josh Bailey 543 *** 10. Bob Bourne 542 …

14. Billy Harris 443 *** 15. Brock Nelson 373 ***  16. Kyle Okposo and Stefan Persson 369 *** 18.  Anders Lee 360…

22. Ziggy Palffy 331 *** 23. Mariusz Czerkawski 295 *** 24. Mathew Barzal 295

+/-

1. Bryan Trottier +467 *** 2. Denis Potvin +456 *** 3. Mike Bossy +380…

19. JP Parise +67 *** 20. Adam Pelech +58 *** 21. Jude Drouin +58 *** 22. Patrick Flatley +57 *** 23. Greg Gilbert +54 *** 24. Gord Lane +48  

Games Coached 

1. Al Arbour 1,500 *** 2. Jack Capuano 483 *** 3. Barry Trotz 271

 

Coaching Wins

1. Al Arbour 740 *** 2. Jack Capuano 227 *** 3. Barry Trotz 144

On the Farm

Bridgeport has won three straight games and is 6-0-1-0 in their last seven games heading into Saturday's showdown in Wilkes-Barre-Scranton.  Bridgeport is now 27-25-6-4 on the season and has moved into a playoff spot over the baby Penguins based on tie-breakers.  

One intricacy in the AHL this season is the teams play different number of games, so while the Isles and Penguins each have 64 points in 62 games, Bridgeport has only 10 games left, and the Pens have 14.  (Winning percentage will determine the final standings)

Chris Terry continues to lead the team with 22 goals and 48 points while Otto Koivula has a team-leading 31 helpers. Jakub Skurek is 16-11-4 in goal on the season while Cory Schneider, 6-1-1 in his last eight games, is 10-10-3.

Bridgeport's next home game is against Lehigh Valley on Sunday.

Season Series Stats

The Isles lead the season series, 2 games to 1 (and 5 points to 2).   The Jackets will visit UBS Arena on Thursday to complete the season series.

The Isles are 7-2-1 in their last ten games with the Jackets, including 3-1-1 in Columbus.

UP NEXT

THURSDAY, MARCH 31st  –COLUMBUS AT ISLANDERS 7:00 PM 

[ESPN+/HULU, WRHU 88.7 FM, WRCN 103.9FM, ESPN Radio]

The Islanders will close out the busiest month in their history and the home-and-home series with the Columbus Blue Jackets on Thursday.

This game will be streamed on ESPN+/HULU with Bob Wischusen and Brian Boucher providing the call.  Note the 7:00 starting 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