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The Skinny: Rangers 5, Isles 2

"The Skinny" By Eric Hornick Game 68 Rangers 5, Isles 2 Johnny Brodzinski broke a 2-2 tie with 4:59 left in the middle period and ...

Tuesday, February 21, 2017

The Skinny: Isles 3, Detroit 1

"The Skinny"

By Eric Hornick
 
Game 59
Isles 3, Detroit 1
Josh Bailey had a goal and an assist to match a career-high with 41 points as the Isles kicked off their franchise-record nine game road trip with a 3-1 win over the Red Wings before a sellout crowd of 20,027 at Joe Louis Arena.
 
It was the Isles' final visit to "The Joe".  The Red Wings will move to their new arena next season.

The Islanders improve to 11-4-2 under Interim Coach Doug Weight, including 2-4-0 on the road.
 
The Scoring:
1ST PERIOD
15:00    New York         Josh Bailey (12) 1-0
19:59    Detroit  PPG - Henrik Zetterberg (14) ASST: Thomas Vanek (23), Frans Nielsen (17)            1-1
 
2ND PERIOD
10:46    New York         PPG - Calvin de Haan (4) ASST: Brock Nelson (19), Alan Quine (10)            2-1
 
3RD PERIOD
03:42    New York         John Tavares (22) ASST: Josh Bailey (29)          3-1

The Skinny:
The Isles scored the first goal for the first time in eight games… Since opening the season 6-10-4, Isles are 22-11-6 in their last 39 games…The Isles have won consecutive games for the first time since February 6th -9th and won consecutive regulation games for the first time this month…Excluding empty-net goals, the Isles have been outscored 8-5 in the final 30 seconds of periods this season…John Tavares reached the 50-point mark for the 7th time in his career (he had 47 points in the 48-game 2013 campaign)...The Isles allowed a power play goal for the fifth straight game … John Tavares' goal gives him 11 goals in the last 20 games…Calvin de Haan scored his 2nd career power play goal and the 10th goal of his career; it was his 4th goal this season, establishing a new career high…The Isles were held to 22 shots; it's their lowest total since November 18th…The Isles are 21-0-4 when leading after two periods…Both Tavares and Henrik Zetterberg had five points in the three Isles/Red Wings games this season…The Red Wings have sold out 262 consecutive games…The Red Wings failed to win a third straight game for only the second time since October…Frans Nielsen's assist was his first in 13 games.
 
Most 50-Point Seasons as an Isle:
1.      Denis Potvin & Bryan Trottier 13
3.      Mike Bossy 10
4.      John Tavares, Clark Gillies, Billy Harris, Pat LaFontaine, John Tonelli & Brent Sutter 7

The Injuries:
Casey Cizikas and Cal Clutterbuck both missed the third period with injuries.  Clutterbuck was playing in his first game since February 3rd, also in Detroit.  He had missed the last 9 games.
 
Career Year
Josh Bailey had a goal and an assist, giving him 41 points on the season, matching his career high.  Josh's goal was his 105th, tying Ed Westfall and Benoit Hogue for 26th on the all-time Isles list, while his two points gives him 291, one more than Alexei Yashin for 22nd place.
 
Most Goals Since November 23rd
1.      Max Pacioretty 24
2.      Auston Matthews 22
3.      Anders Lee /Vladimir Tarasenko/Evander Kane/Sidney Crosby 21
 
Best Records since December 20th
1.      Capitals 20-4-4       (.786)
2.      Wild 21-6-2             (.759)
3.      Penguins 17-7-3      (.685)
4.      Isles 17-7-4            (.679)
 
Best Power Play Since January 21st
1.      Devils 35.1%
2.      Capitals 31.6%
3.      Bruins 31.4%
4.      ISLES 25.5%
 

Playoff Chase:

 
Metropolitan
GP
PTS
1.   Washington
58
85
 
2.   Pittsburgh
59
82
 
3.   Columbus
58
79
 
 
 
 
Atlantic
GP
PTS
 
 
1.      MontrĂ©al
60
72
 
 
2.      Ottawa
58
70
 
 
3.      Toronto
59
67
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Wild Card
GP
PTS
 
 
1.      NY Rangers
59
78
 
 
2.      Florida
58
66
 
 
3.      Boston
59
66
 
 
4.      NY Islanders
59
66
 
 
5.      Philadelphia
59
63
 
 
6.      Tampa Bay
59
62
 
 
7.      Buffalo
60
62
 
 
8.      New Jersey
60
60
 
 
9.      Detroit
60
58
 
 
10.   Carolina
56
56
 

The Isles are seeded below Florida and Boston, because Florida has played 1 fewer game than the Isles and Boston (1st tie-breaker) and Boston has one more Regulation/Overtime Win than the Isles (2nd tie-breaker)
 
Last 28
The Isles are now 17-7-4 in their last 28 games (since December 20th vs. Boston).  In those games, the PP is 17-86(19.8%) and the penalty kill is 12-68 (82.4%).   The Isles have had 18 more power plays than their opponents over that span, which is the best differential in the NHL
 
#1 is #1 (aka The Greiss is Right)
Thomas Greiss has started 20 of the last 24 games (11-6-3) and 22 of the last 29 games (132-6-3).  He has allowed two goals or less in 16 of his last 22 games.
 
The Long Road Ahead
The Isles are playing 17 of their final 24 on the road, including nine consecutive road games for the first time in their history. The Isles are 1-0-0 in this stretch:
 
·        2/21 at Red Wings (Won 3-1)
·        2/23 at Canadiens
·        2/25 at Blue Jackets
·        3/2 at Stars
·        3/3 at Blackhawks
·        3/5 at Flames
·        3/7 at Oilers
·        3/9 at Canucks
·        3/11 at Blues

Home is Where the Heart Is
The Isles have earned points in their last 11 home games (9-0-2).  It's their longest point streak at home in the post-Cup era.  The last time the Isles had a longer streak was in 1982; the Isles ended the 1981-82 season with a 23-game unbeaten streak (21-0-2).  That streak began on January 2, 1982 and was extended to 30 games over two seasons (28-0-2).
 
The last time that the Isles had a point streak of at least ten home games in a single season was in 1989-90, when they also earned points in ten straight games (12/16/1989 – 1/28/1990). 
 
Longest Point Streaks in Post -Cup Era
11 – CURRENT (9-0-2)
10 -  12/16/89-01/28/90 (9-0-1)
10 – 3/24/13-10/17/13 (7-0-3 – Multi-season Streak)

The Shots
Isles     8-11-3=22
Detroit 9-12-6=27
 
The Isles are 14-7-4 when they outshoot their opponents and 2-2-0 when the shots are even but are 12-13-5 when they are outshot.
 
Home and Road
The Islanders are 28-21-10 overall; 20-8-6 at home and 8-13-4 on the road. 
Detroit is 24-26-10 overall; 12-145 at home and 12-12-5 on the road.  
 
By Division & Conference
The Isles are 9-7-4 in Division games and 19-14-6 in games versus other divisions (8-9-3 vs. Atlantic, 5-2-1 vs. Central and 6-3-2 vs. Pacific).   The Isles are 17-16-7 against the East and 11-5-3 against the West.
 
In the Nets
Thomas Greiss made 26 saves as he improves to 19-11-3 on the season and 2-1-1 in his career against Detroit.
Petr Mrazek made 19 saves but falls to 14-16-6 on the season and 5-3-0 in his career against the Isles.
 
Power Plays
The Isles went 1-3 on the power play, while Detroit was 1-3.
The Isles are 13-6-6 when they score at least one power play goal and 15-15-4 when they do not.  The Isles are 11-11-5 when they allow at least one power play goal and 17-10-5 when they do not.    
 
Three is a Magic Number
The Isles are 27-5-3 when they score at least three goals (including shootout winners) and are 1-16-7 when they do not. 
 
One Goal Games
The Isles are 8-8-10 in games decided by a single goal including 4-8-0 in regulation. They are 3-7 in games decided in overtime and are 1-3 in shootouts.  The Isles are 4-1 in games in which an empty-net goal turns a 1 goal game into a 2-goal game (including one game that they allowed a goal after scoring an empty-netter).
 
First Goal
The Isles are 19-6-6 when they score first and are 9-15-4 when they allow the opening goal.
 
Back-to-Backs
The Isles are 4-6-1 on the front-end of back-to-backs and 4-3-4 on the back-end. 
The Isles will play 16 sets of back-to-backs this season. The next back-to-back set is March 2nd in Dallas and March 3rd in Chicago.
 
Tired vs. Rested
·        The Isles are 3-1-3 when both teams played the night before.
·        The Isles are 5-3-2 when they are rested and their opponents are not.
·        The Isles are 1-2-1 when their opponents are rested and the Isles are not.
·        The Isles are 19-15-4 when both teams are rested.
 
Ice-time Leaders
Isles: Johnny Boychuk (22:43); Detroit: Mike Green (22:42)
 
Isles record by ice-time leaders: Travis Hamonic (5-0-0), Nick Leddy (12-16-8), John Tavares (2-1-0), Johnny Boychuk (6-4-1), Dennis Seidenberg (1-0-1), Calvin de Haan (1-0-0), Tied (1-0-0).
 
John Tavares led the Isles forwards with 18:54 of ice-time. Isles record by Forward ice-time leaders: John Tavares (21-13-8), Josh Bailey (4-5-2), Casey Cizikas (1-0-0), Cal Clutterbuck (0-1-0), Brock Nelson (1-2-0), Shane Prince (1-0-0).
 
Face-offs
Isles 23, Detroit 26 (47%). 
 
Casey Cizikas won 5 of 7 for the Isles; Frans Nielsen won 13 of 15 for Detroit.
 
Face-offs by period: 1st period- 5/14; 2nd period 12/21; 3rd period 6/14
 
Face-offs by strength: Even strength: 19/41; Power play 2/2; Penalty kill 2/6.
 
Hit Count
Isles 31, Detroit 12.  Johnny Boychuk led the Isles with six hits; Three Red Wings each had two hits.
 
Fights
There were no fights.  Season total – 11: (Hamonic 3, Mayfield 2, Strome 2, Boychuk 1, Chimera 1, deHaan 1, Hickey 1).

Blocked Shots
The Isles were credited with 11 blocked shots; Scott Mayfield and Johnny Boychuk each had two.
 
For the Corsi Crowd
All situations: Isles 46, Detroit 54
5-on-5 Isles 37, Detroit 37
 
5-on-5 leaders:
Isles: Bailey/Lee/Tavares all +9; Lee/Tavares 70%
Detroit: Nick Jensen +10
 
Ironmen
Jason Chimera – 165 (including 106 for the Capitals); Josh Bailey 126, Brock Nelson 73, Calvin deHaan 62, John Tavares 59
 
Scratches
Adam Pelech, Shane Prince (injured), Stephen Gionta
 
Injured Reserve: Travis Hamonic
Total games lost: 112
 
All-time Islander Leader Boards:
 
Games Played (skaters)
1.      Bryan Trottier 1123 *** 2. Denis Potvin 1060 *** 3. Bob Nystrom 900
….
10. Billy Harris 623 *** 11. Stefan Persson 622 *** 12. Josh Bailey 616
15 Garry Howatt 596 *** 16. John Tonelli 594 *** 17. John Tavares 569
 
Goals
1.      Mike Bossy 573 *** 2. Bryan Trottier 500 *** 3. Denis Potvin 310
7. Bob Bourne 238 *** 8. Bob Nystrom 235 **** 9. John Tavares 229
25. Ray Ferraro 116 *** 26. Ed Westfall, Benoit Hogue and Josh Bailey 105
 
Assists
1.      Bryan Trottier 853 *** 2. Denis Potvin 742 *** 3. Mike Bossy 553
8. Stefan Persson 317 *** 9. Bob Bourne 304 *** 10. John Tavares 292
16. Frans Nielson and Kyle Okposo 230 *** 18. Pierre Turgeon 193 *** 19. Josh Bailey 186
 
Points
1.      Bryan Trottier 1353 *** 2. Mike Bossy 1126 *** 3. Denis Potvin 1052
6. Pat LaFontaine 566 *** 7. John Tonelli 544 *** 8. Bob Bourne 542 *** 9.  John Tavares 521
19. Ziggy Palffy 331 *** 20. Mariusz Czerkawski 295 *** 21. Duane Sutter 292 *** 22. Josh Bailey 291
 
Late Heroes
The Isles have scored three times in the final two minutes of regulation to either tie or win a game:
·        11/25 – SJ Sharks -- Nick Leddy (19:02); tied game, but Isles lost in regulation
·        11/30 – Pit Penguins – Anders Lee (19:33); Game Winning goal
·        2/6 – Tor Maple Leafs – Andrew Ladd (18:31); Isles won in overtime
 
Fit to Be Tied
The Isles have allowed the final goal of regulation in 10 of their 14 games that have gone to overtime this season, including three in the final minute:
 
·        10/16 – Ana Ducks – Ryan Getzlaf (19:00); Isles won in OT
·        11/3 – Phi Flyers – Jakob Voracek (19:02/PP); Flyers won in SO
·        11/12 – Fla Panthers – Jonathan Marchessault (19:46); Panthers won in OT
 
Late Losses
The Isles have been tied in the third period in 12 of their 21 regulation losses (and 22 of their 31 overall losses) but have allowed the lead goal in the final 3 minutes of regulation seven times (including one game they rallied to win):
 
·        10/18 – SJ Sharks - Joe Pavelski (17:49)
·        10/26 – Mtl Canadiens - Shea Weber (17:03)
·        10/27 – Pit Penguins - Sidney Crosby (17:35)
·        11/23 – LA Kings – Dwight King (17:07)
·        11/25 – SJ Sharks – Patrick Marleau (19:37)
·        2/3 – Det Red Wings – Danny DeKeyser (19:32)
·        2/6 – Tor Maple Leafs – Michael Nylander (17:59) (Isles won game in OT)
 
Season Series Stats
Detroit wins the season series two games to one (and four points to two). 
 
The Isles close out their visits to The Joe with six wins in their last 10 games (6-4-0).

On The Farm
Bridgeport, behind 12 straight wins from Jaroslav Halak, is 33-16-1-1 on the season and 15-1-0-0 in their last 16 games.
 
Bracken Kearns continues to lead the Sound Tigers in goals (18) and points (18-22-40).  Ho-Sang is tied with fellow rookie Devon Toews for the team lead with 24 assists.  Pulock leads the defense with 10 goals (10-14-24 in only 30 games) and is tied for the AHL defense lead with 4 game-winning goals (all in the last 3½ weeks).  Jaroslav Halak leads the team in wins (13-1-2).
 
Bridgeport visit Providence on Friday before hosting the P-Bruins on Saturday.  Hershey returns to Bridgeport Sunday at 3pm.

Up Next
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23rd –ISLANDERS AT MONTREAL– 7:30PM
[MSG+ (Isles Game Night begins at 7:00), WFAN 660AM/101.9FM, 88.7 WRHU-FM, 103.9 WRCN]
 
The Isles will make their third trip of the month to Canada and certainly hope it ends better than the first two (losses to Ottawa and Toronto).
 
It's the final meeting of the season between the teams; the teams split a pair of games in Brooklyn with the Habs winning in October on a late Shea Weber tally and the Isles rebounding for a 3-1 win in January.
That win snapped a 7-game Islander losing streak to Les Habitants.
 
The Canadiens fell out of first place for a few minutes on Wednesday, falling briefly behind Ottawa before completing their shootout win over the Rangers to regain the division lead.
 
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 http://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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