"The Skinny"
By Eric Hornick
Game 44
Isles 2, Montreal 1
Casey Cizikas and Anthony Beauvillier scored goals in the first 6:03 of the game and Ilya Sorokin made 22 saves as the Isles snapped a four-game losing streak (0-3-1) with a 2-1 victory over the Montreal Canadiens before a sellout crowd of 17,255 at UBS Arena.
Nick Suzuki got Montreal on the board with his first goal in 12 games, midway through the third period but the Canadiens could not find the equalizer before an enthusiastic crowd on Mike Bossy Bobblehead Night.
The Isles improve to 23-18-3 and move back into the second wild card spot, one point ahead of Pittsburgh, The Isles are 2-4-1 since the calendar turned to 2023 and will finally face division rival Washington, when the Ovechkins visit on Monday night.
The Scoring:
1st Period
Casey Cizikas (4) Noah Dobson (16), Cal Clutterbuck (3) 02:25 MTL 0,NYI 1
Anthony Beauvillier (9) Scott Mayfield (7), Jean-Gabriel Pageau (15) 06:03 MTL 0,NYI 2
2nd Period
No Goals
3rd Period
Nick Suzuki (16) Jonathan Drouin (12) 09:56 MTL 1,NYI 2
The Skinny
The Isles did not reach 23 wins last season until March 11th (23-24-8)... The Isles went 0-2 on the power play; they are 3-19 in the last eight games and 3-44 in the last sixteen games …The Isles did kill both Canadiens power plays and are now 54/59 on the home PK – which is the best in the NHL; they are 19-19 in the last nine home games ..The Isles scored first for the second straight game and scored their earliest two goals of the season; it was only the second time this season (Anaheim – 10/15) that the Isles led by two goals at the end of the first period...It was also the earliest two goals the Isles have ever scored at UBS Arena and their earliest anywhere since last February 9th in Vancouver…Ilya Sorokin has allowed seven goals in the last six home games (4-1-1, 1.15, .953); both the goals against average and save percentage are the best in the NHL over that span. The Isles improve to 16-2-0 when leading through 40 minutes…Casey Cizikas has five points(2-3-5) in 2023, tying him with Mathew Barzal (3-2-5) for the club point lead…The Isles have scored four goals in the last three games (1-1-1); all four have been scored in the first period…Montreal's third period goal reduced the Isles' differential in that period to +8; the Isles were +16 in the third period through 23 games but -8 over the last 21 games… Cal Clutterbuck earned his 135th career assist, breaking a tie with his goal total, on the Cizikas goal; he is now 134-135-269 in his career…Scott Mayfield's assist was his 99th point, all with the Isles. He is looking to become the 25th defenseman in club history to reach 100 points…Josh Bailey had a season-high five shots on goal… Anthony Beauvillier was credited with the game-winner; 19 of 102 career goals and game-winners (18.6%). Among Isles who scored at least 100 goals, only Mark Parrish has a higher percentage (25/118; 21.2%).
Last Year vs. This Year
• 2022-23 23-18-3 for 49 points in 44 games
• 2021-22 18-20-6 for 42 points in 44 games
Offense from Defense
• Today: 0--2
• Season: 26-64-90
• Last Season (Final) 32-128-160
The Islander defense have scored 26 goals (one behind Carolina for the NHL lead); they didn't score their 26th goal last season until April 15th.
Sorokin's House
Ilya Sorokin is 22-12-5 all-time at UBS Arena. His goals against average of 1.98 is the lowest of any goalie who has made multiple home starts in the last two seasons and his save percentage of .934 is the best in the NHL over that span. Sorokin went 9-1-0 at the Coliseum; he is 31-13-5 in his career at home; his .931 career save percentage is the best on home ice in NHL history (minimum 40 home games).
Zach Attack
Zach Parise has 420 career goals, good for 9th among actives. He is tied with Bill Barber for 89th all-time; Stephane Richer, Vincent Lecavalier and Steve Thomas are tied-86th with 421.
Home and Road
The Isles are 23-18-3 overall; they are 13-7-1 at home and 10-11-2 on the road.
Montreal is 17-23-3 overall; they are 9-11-0 at home and 8-12-3 on the road.
East and West
The Isles are 13-8-1 against the East (9-4-0 vs. Metropolitan and 4-4-1 vs. Atlantic) and 10-11-1 against the West (4-8-1 vs. Central and 6-3-0 vs. Pacific).
Home is Where the Fans Are
The Isles have played 62 games at UBS Arena and recorded 42 sellouts. The sellout crowds of 17,255 are the largest indoor crowds to ever see the Islanders play at home.
Sweet Lou
Lou Lamoriello has the second-highest win total for any general manager in NHL history:
1. David Poile 1,510
2. Lou Lamoriello 1,386
3. Glen Sather 1,319
First Things First
The Isles are 15-5-0 when scoring first and are 8-13-3 when allowing the opening goal.
The Shots
Isles 14-14-10=38
Montreal 9-9-5=23
The Isles are 12-7-1 when they outshoot their opponents, 0-0-0 when the shots are even and 10-11-2 when they are outshot.
In the Nets
Ilya Sorokin made 22 saves; he is 15-14-2 on the season and 3-0-1 vs Montreal.
Sam Montembault made 36 saves; he is 7-7-2 on the season and 0-1-2 vs. the Isles.
Special Teams
The Isles were 0-2 on the power play (4:00); Montreal was 0-2 on the power play (4:00).
The Isles are 11-8-1 when they score at least one power play goal and 12-10-2 when they do not. The Isles are 11-7-1 when they allow at least one power play goal and 12-11-2 when they do not.
Three is (Usually) a Magic Number
The Isles are 21-5-1 when they score at least three goals (including shootout winners) and are 2-13-2 when they do not.
One-Goal Games
The Isles are 8-3-3 in games decided by a single goal including 5-3 in regulation. They are 3-0 in games decided in overtime and are 0-3 in shootouts. The Isles are 4-7 in games in which an empty-net goal turns a 1-goal game into a 2-goal game.
Back-to-Backs
The next set of back-to-backs will be on January 18th vs Boston and on January 19th in Buffalo. The Isles are 4-4-0 in the front end and 5-3-0 in the back end.
Ice-time Leaders
Isles: Scott Mayfield (23:38); Montreal: David Savard (23:18)
Brock Nelson led Isles forwards with 18:37 of ice-time.
Isles record by ice-time leaders: Alexander Romanov (2-1-1), Noah Dobson (4-9-2), Adam Pelech (3-2-0), Ryan Pulock (5-3-0), Scott Mayfield (6-0-0), Brock Nelson (1-0-0), Mathew Barzal (2-1-0), Sebastian Aho (0-1-0), Tied (0-1-0).
Face-offs
Isles 27, Montreal 26 (51%)
Jean-Gabriel Pageau won 14 of 22 for the Isles; Sam Steel won 12 of 21 for Montreal.
Hit Count
Isles 25 (Cal Clutterbuck -5)
Montreal 18 (Four with 2)
Fights
None. Season total: 13 (Martin-5, Lee-2, Wahlstrom-2, Johnston-2, Cizikas, Romanov)
Blocked Shots
Isles 14 (Noah Dobson -3)
Montreal 25 (Jordan Harris-4)
For the Analytics Crowd
Corsi: All situations: Isles 74, Montreal 46
Corsi: 5-on-5: Isles 65, Montreal 39
5-on-5 leaders:
Isles: Mathew Barzal +17
Montreal: Evgenii Dadonov +1
High Danger Scoring Chances (per Natural Stat Trick)
All situations: Isles 14, Montreal 9
5-on-5: Isles 13, Montreal 9
Scratches
(Adam Pelech – upper body-IR), (Kyle Palmieri- upper body-IR), (Oliver Wahlstrom-INJ), Ross Johnston
Games Lost: 82
The Ironmen
Zach Parise played in his 126th consecutive Islander game; he has played in every game since joining the team in October 2021. It is the 20th-longest active streak in the NHL.
Noah Dobson played in his 109th consecutive Islander game.
Challenges
Isles: 1 successful, 0 failures – STL goalie interference 11/3
Opponents: 1 successful, 0 failures – PIT offside 12/27
League reviews: 4 (Isles goal – Salo vs ANA 10/16 – stood; Isles no goal vs NSH 12/2-stood; Isles goal- Martin vs CHI 12/4-awarded; MIN goal (Gaudreau) 1/12 – awarded)
Quickies
The Isles have scored two goals in under a minute six times this season (five times at home and once on road):
• 0:17 10/29 vs. COL (Mayfield and Beauvillier)
• 0:59 11/7 vs. CGY (Lee and Palmieri)
• 0:22 11/26 vs PHI (Nelson and Beauvillier)
• 0:43 12/4 vs CHI (Parise and Nelson)
• 0:21 12/6 vs STL (Fasching and Pageau)
• 0:34 12/9 @ NJD (Cizikas and Wahlstrom)
Multi-Goal 3rd Period Comeback Wins
The Isles have come from two goals behind after two periods to win three times this season and have not allowed the opposition to do so.
For: Trailed 3-1, Won 5-3 vs. COL 10/29
Trailed 3-1, Won 4-3 (OT) vs CGY 11/7
Trailed 3-1, Won 4-3 at NYR 11/8
Last Minute Heroes:
The Isles have scored two goal and allowed one goal in the final three minutes of the third period that were either the winning goal or forced overtime.
For(2): Brock Nelson vs COL 10/29 (18:39;EN/GW)
Josh Bailey @ TOR 11/21 (17:02; Isles won in OT)
Vs (1): Kappo Kaako @NYR 12/22 (17:13: GW)
Overtime Winners
For (3): Noah Dobson vs CGY 11/7 (4:02)
Zach Parise vs CBJ 11/12 (0:39)
Anthony Beauvillier @ TOR 11/21 (1:56)
Shootout Winners
Vs (3): David Pastrnak @ BOS 12/13
Evan Rodrigues @ COL 12/19
Jason Robertson Vs DAL 1/10
All-time Islander Leader Boards:
Games Played (skaters)
1. Bryan Trottier 1,123 *** 2. Denis Potvin 1,060 *** 3. Josh Bailey 1,033…
7. Mike Bossy 752 *** 8. Matt Martin 728 *** 9. Brock Nelson 720*** 10. Patrick Flatley 712 *** 11. Casey Cizikas 706…
13. John Tavares 669 *** 14. Anders Lee 640 *** 15. Derek King 638 *** 16. Billy Harris 623 *** 17. Stefan Persson 622 *** 18. Cal Clutterbuck 618
Goals
1. Mike Bossy 573 *** 2. Bryan Trottier 500 *** 3. Denis Potvin 310 …
9. Bobby Nystrom 235 *** 10. Anders Lee 227 *** 11. Brock Nelson 220 *** 12. Derek King 211 *** 13. John Tonelli 206 *** 14 Billy Harris 184 *** 15. Josh Bailey 182
Assists
1. Bryan Trottier 853 *** 2. Denis Potvin 742 *** 3. Mike Bossy 553 *** 4. Josh Bailey 390…
15. Billy Harris 259*** 16. Mathew Barzal 250 *** 17. Tomas Jonsson 249 *** 18. Frans Nielsen and Kyle Okposo 230 *** 20. Brock Nelson 206…
23. Ed Westfall 181 *** 24. Kenny Jonsson 175 *** 25. Alexei Yashin and Duane Sutter 171 *** 27. Anders Lee 169
Points
1. Bryan Trottier 1,353 *** 2. Mike Bossy 1,126 *** 3. Denis Potvin 1,052…
6. Brent Sutter 610 *** 7. Josh Bailey 572 …
14. Billy Harris 443 *** 15. Brock Nelson 426 *** 16. Anders Lee 396 *** 17. Kyle Okposo and Stefan Persson 369…19. Mathew Barzal 352
+/-
1. Bryan Trottier +467 *** 2. Denis Potvin +456 *** 3. Mike Bossy +380…
15. Bob Lorimer +105 *** 16. Tomas Jonsson +76 *** 17. Garry Howatt +75 *** 18. Adam Pelech +74 *** 19. Pat Price +70 *** 20. JP Parise +67 *** 21. Jude Drouin +58 *** 22. Patrick Flatley +57 *** 23. Ryan Pulock +55 *** 24. Greg Gilbert +54
Defense Goals
1. Denis Potvin 310 *** 2. Tomas Jonsson 84 *** Kenny Jonsson 57…
6. Nick Leddy 45 *** 7. Roman Hamrlik 43 **** 8. Mark Streit and Ryan Pulock 40 *** 10. Johnny Boychuk *** 11. Adrian Aucoin 33 *** 12. Bryan Berard 31***13. Vladimir Malakhov and Noah Dobson 27
Defense Assists
1. Denis Potvin 742 *** 2. Stefan Persson 317 *** 3. Tomas Jonsson 249…
8. Mark Streit 139 *** 9. Roman Hamrlik 120 *** 10. Ryan Pulock 121…
18. Dave Langevin and Thomas Hickey 95 *** 20. Adam Pelech 92
Defense Points
1. Denis Potvin 1,052 *** 2. Stefan Persson 369 *** 3. Tomas Jonsson 333…
8. Mark Streit 179 *** 9. Ryan Pulock 161…
17. Vladimir Malakhov 125 *** 18. Thomas Hickey 117 *** 19. Adam Pelech 114
Wins
1. Billy Smith 304 *** 2. Glenn Resch 157 *** 3. Rick DiPietro 130…
10. Evgeni Nabokov 57 *** 11. Semyon Varlamov 56 *** 12. Ilya Sorokin 54
Shutouts
1. Glenn Resch 25 *** 2. Billy Smith 22 *** 3. Rick DiPietro 16 …
4. Tommy Salo 14 ***5. Ilya Sorokin 13 *** 6. Semyon Varlamov and Jaroslav Halak 12
On the Farm
Bridgeport split a pair over the weekend as they got an overtime goal from Aatu Raty to snap their eleventh game winless streak (0-8-2-1) with a 4-3 victory over Lehigh Valley on Friday. Otto Koivula has the only Islander goal in a 5-1 loss to Utica on Saturday. The Islanders are 15-15-14-6-1 on the season.
Andy Andreoff leads the team (and is tied-2nd in the AHL) with 19 goals, while Chis Terry continues to lead in assists (24) and points (35).
Bridgeport visits Springfield Monday in an MLK Day matinee.
Season Series Stats
The Isles lead the season series, 1 game to 0 (and 2 points to 0). The teams will meet in Montreal for a matinee on February 11th before Les Canadiens visit Long Island in the regular season finale on April 12th.
The Isles improved to 3-0-1 in their last four games with Montreal and earned only their third win in the last 13 home games against the Habs.
UP NEXT
MONDAY, JANUARY 16th –WASHINGTON AT ISLANDERS 7:30pm
[MSGSN (pre-game at 7:00), WRHU 88.7 FM, WRCN 103.9FM, ESPN Radio]
After not meeting in the season's first three months the Isles will finally meet the Washington Capitals when Alex Ovechkin brings his 810 career goals to UBS Arena in the first of four meetings this season.
The Isles went 2-1-1 last season against the Caps, sweeping Washington in a home-and-home series in the final week of the campaign.
The Isles are three points behind the Caps and hold a game-in-hand. Washington was swept in a home-and home by Philadelphia in their last two games and are 1-3-0 in their last four games.
The game will be played on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The Isles have won their last seven games on MLK Day (five at home and two on the road); this will be the 17th time since 1994 that the Isles have hosted an MLK Day game.
Eric Hornick has been the statistician on Islander home game telecasts since 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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