The Skinny: New Jersey 3, Isles 2

"The Skinny"

By Eric Hornick

 

Game 57

New Jersey 3, Isles 2

Cory Schneider made 40 saves and Travis Zajac scored a 2^nd period shorthanded goal as the New Jersey Devils defeated the Isles 3-2 before a sellout crowd of 16,514 at Prudential Center.

 

Devante Smith-Pelly's first goal in 30 games gave New Jersey a 1-0 lead in the first period; Pavel Zacha scored the eventual winner on a power play in the third period.  Andrew Ladd and Anthony Beauvillier got the Isles back in the game with 3^rd period goals but the Isles could not find the equalizer.

 

The Islanders fall to 9-4-2 under Interim Coach Doug Weight and missed a chance to move into a playoff spot for the second time this week.

 

The Scoring:

1ST PERIOD

07:10    New Jersey      Devante Smith-Pelly (3) ASST: Travis Zajac (22), Jon Merrill (4)  0-1

 

2ND PERIOD

08:49    New Jersey      SHG - Travis Zajac (11) ASST: Adam Henrique (17)       0-2

 

3RD PERIOD

06:21    New Jersey      PPG - Pavel Zacha (8) ASST: PA Parenteau (13), Damon Severson (22)      0-3

08:58    New York         Andrew Ladd (15) ASST: Calvin de Haan (12)    1-3

13:48    New York         Anthony Beauvillier (5) ASST: Alan Quine (9), Johnny Boychuk (14)            2-3

 

The Skinny:

The Isles have allowed the first goal in six straight games (3-3-0) … Since opening the season 6-10-4, Isles are 20-11-6 in their last 37 games…Andrew Ladd has 13 goals since December 6th, when he scored his 3rd goal of the season (against the Rangers); he is one of only 31 players in the NHL with at least 13 goals in that span… Andrew Ladd is 7-2-9 in the last 11 games…The Isles are 39-55-23 all-time in the following game after beating the Rangers…New Jersey opened the season 8-0-2 at home but this was only their 5^th victory in the last 18 at home (5-11-2)…The Isles have alternated wins and losses over the last six games while the Devils have done so over the last five games.

The Penalty Shot

John Tavares was awarded a first period penalty shot but was stopped by Cory Schneider.  The Islander captain is now 0-3 in his career on penalty shots:

 

February 9, 2013 – stopped by Ryan Miller (Buffalo)

October 12, 2015 – stopped by Ondrej Pavelec (Winnipeg)

February 18, 2017 – stopped by Cory Schneider (New Jersey)

 

The Isles have now had penalty shot attempts in consecutive road trips; their only goal in Toronto on Tuesday was on a Jason Chimera penalty shot.  It's the shortest span between Islander penalty shots since Brad Isbister (scored vs. Phoenix) and Claude Lapointe (stopped by Florida) had attempts on January 10-12, 2000.

 

First Time in a Long Time

The Isles had gone 9-0-1 in the last ten games against New Jersey since a 6-1 loss to the Devils on March 1, 2014.  It's the Isles first regulation loss in New Jersey since April 3, 2012; this ends a 7-0-1 road point streak against the Devs.

 

All Good Things Must Come to an End

 

LONGEST MULTIPLE-SHUTOUT STREAKS Vs. ONE OPPONENT

·        277:44 (four consecutive shutouts) vs. Tampa Bay in 1998

·        222:11 (three consecutive shutouts) vs. Washington in 1996-97.

·        154:08 (two consecutive shutouts) vs. Washington in 1977-78.

·        152:21 (two consecutive shutouts) vs. Atlanta in 2003-05

·        143:07 (two consecutive shutouts) vs. New Jersey 2015-17

 

Home is Where the Heart Is

The Isles have earned points in their last ten home games (8-0-2).  It's the first time that they have earned points in ten straight home games since 2013, when they went 7-0-3 in a 10-game stretch, but over two seasons.

 

The last time that the Isles had a point streak of 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

10 – CURRENT (8-0-2)

10 -  12/16/89-01/28/90 (9-0-1)

10 – 3/24/13-10/17/13 (7-0-3 – Multi-season Streak)

 

Should the Isles earn at least a point against New Jersey on Sunday, they will have an 11-game home point streak for the first time since the 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).

 

Most Goals Since November 23rd

1.      Max Pacioretty 24

2.      Anders Lee /Auston Matthews/Vladimir Tarasenko 21

3.      Evander Kane/Brent Burns/Cam Atkinson/Jeff Carter 20

 

Best Records since December 20^th

1.      Capitals 20-3-4       (.815)

2.      Wild 21-5-2             (.786)

3.      Penguins 16-6-3      (.700)

4.      Sharks 16-6-5         (.685)

5.      Isles 15-7-4            (.654)

 

Best Penalty Kill Since December 20^th

1.      Anaheim 87.0%

2.      Ottawa 85.7%

3.      ISLES 85.2%

 

Best Power Play Since January 21^st

1.      Bruins 32.4%

2.      Devils 31.3%

3.      Capitals 30.6%

4.      Blackhawks 25.9%

5.      Predators 24.2%

6.      ISLES 23.8%

Playoff Chase:

	Metropolitan		GP		PTS
1.   Washington		57		85
2.   Pittsburgh		57		80
3.   Columbus		57		79
	Atlantic		GP		PTS
	1.      Montréal		59		70
	2.      Ottawa		56		68
	3.      Florida		57		64
	Wild Card		GP		PTS
	1.      NY Rangers		57		75
	2.      Boston		58		64
	3.      Toronto		57		63
	4.      NY Islanders		57		62
	5.      Buffalo		59		62
	6.      Philadelphia		58		61
	7.      New Jersey		58		60
	8.      Tampa Bay		57		58
	9.      Carolina		54		56
	10.   Detroit		58		56

Last 26

The Isles are now 15-7-4 in their last 26 games (since December 20^th vs. Boston).  In those games, the PP is 15-81(18.5%) and the penalty kill is 9-61 (85.2%).   The Isles have had 20 more power plays than their opponents over that span, which is the best differential in the NHL; the 61 times short is tied for the second- fewest in the NHL over that span (Carolina has been short 60 times, but in only 23 games).

 

#1 is #1 (aka The Greiss is Right)

Thomas Greiss has started 19 of the last 22 games (10-6-3) and 21 of the last 27 games (12-6-3).  He has allowed two goals or less in 15 of his last 21 games.

 

50-50 to Begin February

The Isles are beginning February with a 10 game stretch that features five home games and five road games, all in a span of 17 days. The Isles are 4-4-1 in this stretch (3-0-1 at home and 1-4-0 on the road), which concludes on Sunday.

 

2/3 at Red Wings (Lost 4-5)

2/4 vs. Hurricanes (Lost 4-5 OT)

2/6 vs. Maple Leafs (Won 6-5 OT)

2/9 at Flyers (Won 3-1)

2/11 at Senators (Lost 0-3)

2/12 vs. Avalanche (Won 5-1)

2/14 at Maple Leafs (Lost 1-7)

2/16 vs. Rangers (Won 4-2)

2/18 at Devils (Lost 2-3)

2/19 vs. Devils

 

The Isles play 22 of their final 34 on the road and do not have a homestand longer than two games. Beginning on Tuesday in Detroit, the Isles will play nine straight road games for the first time in franchise history.

 

The Shots

Isles       9-20-13=42

New Jersey 8-8-5=21

 

The 42 shots matched a season-high (1/13 in Florida, 1/26 vs. Montreal).  The +21 shot differential is the highest since January 17, 2016 vs. Vancouver (+22, 48-26) and the highest on the road since also going +21 on February 8, 2015 at Buffalo (31-10).

 

The Isles are 13-7-4 when they outshoot their opponents and 2-2-0 when the shots are even but are 11-13-5 when they are outshot.

 

Home and Road

The Islanders are 26-21-10 overall; 19-8-6 at home and 7-13-4 on the road. 

New Jersey is 25-23-10 overall; 13-11-4 at home and 12-12-6 on the road.  

 

By Division & Conference

The Isles are 8-7-4 in Division games and 18-14-6 in games versus other divisions (7-9-3 vs. Atlantic, 5-2-1 vs. Central and 6-3-2 vs. Pacific).   The Isles are 15-16-7 against the East and 11-5-3 against the West.

 

In the Nets

Thomas Greiss made 18 saves but falls to 18-11-3 on the season and 2-3-0 in his career against New Jersey (despite allowing only 9 goals in the five games).

Cory Schneider made 40 saves and improves to 19-17-8 on the season and 3-5-1 in his career against the Isles. 

 

Power Plays

The Isles went 0-3 on the power play and allowed a shorthanded goal, while New Jersey was 1-2.

The Isles are 11-6-6 when they score at least one power play goal and 15-15-4 when they do not.  The Isles are 9-11-5 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 25-5-3 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 18-6-6 when they score first and are 8-15-4 when they allow the opening goal.

 

Back-to-Backs

Including tonight, the Isles are 4-6-1 on the front-end of back-to-backs and 3-3-4 on the back-end. 

The Isles will play 16 sets of back-to-backs this season. This back-to-back set concludes Sunday against New Jersey.

 

Tired vs. Rested

·        The Isles are 2-1-3 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 18-15-4 when both teams are rested.

 

Ice-time Leaders

Isles: Nick Leddy (24:59); New Jersey: Andy Greene (22:53)

 

Isles record by ice-time leaders: Travis Hamonic (5-0-0), Nick Leddy (12-16-8), John Tavares (2-1-0), Johnny Boychuk (5-4-1), Dennis Seidenberg (1-0-1), Calvin de Haan (1-0-0)

 

John Tavares led the Isles forwards with 20:37 of ice-time. Isles record by Forward ice-time leaders: John Tavares (19-13-8), 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 27, New Jersey 28 (49%). 

 

Alan Quine won 6 of 11 for the Isles; Travis Zajac won 11 of 18 for the New Jersey.

 

Face-offs by period: 1^st period- 8/16; 2^nd period 9/17; 3^rd period 10/22.

 

Face-offs by strength: Even strength: 22/44; Power play 4/8; Penalty kill 1/3.

 

Hit Count

Isles 26, New Jersey 14.  Four Isles each had four hits; Devante Smith-Pelly had four hits for the New Jersey.

 

Fights

Scott Mayfield fought Miles Wood in the second period.  Season total – 11: (Hamonic 3, Mayfield 2, Strome 2, Boychuk 1, Chimera 1, deHaan 1, Hickey 1).

 

Blocked Shots

The Isles were credited with 9 blocked shots, including two from Dennis Seidenberg and Scott Mayfield.

 

For the Corsi Crowd

All situations: Isles 72, New Jersey 45 (including 12-0 Isles in the final 8:34 and 55-24 in the final 2 periods)

5-on-5 Isles 62, New Jersey 35

 

5-on-5 leaders:

Isles: John Tavares +18: Scott Mayfield 83%

New Jersey: PA Parenteau -1

 

Ironmen

Jason Chimera – 163 (including 106 for the Capitals); Josh Bailey 124

 

Scratches

Adam Pelech, Shane Prince (injured), Cal Clutterbuck (injured)

 

Injured Reserve: Travis Hamonic

Total games lost: 107

 

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 614

…

15 Garry Howatt 596 *** 16. John Tonelli 594 *** 17. John Tavares 567

 

Goals

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

…

7. Bob Bourne 238 *** 8. Bob Nystrom 235 **** 9. John Tavares 227

…

25. Ray Ferraro 116 *** 26. Ed Westfall and Benoit Hogue 105 *** 28. Josh Bailey 104

 

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 185

 

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 519

…

20. Mariusz Czerkawski 295 *** 21. Duane Sutter 292 *** 22. Alexei Yashin 290 *** 23. Josh Bailey 289

 

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

New Jersey leads the season series one games to none (and two points to zero).  The teams have three meetings remaining, including Sunday in Brooklyn.

 

This is the first time the teams are meeting on back-to-back days since November 25-26, 2011, when the Isles lost 1-0 at the Coliseum before winning 3-2 in New Jersey.

 

On The Farm

Joshua Ho-Sang had had quite a weekend, and it is not over yet.  Ho-Sang has recorded seven points in two games as Bridgeport defeated Rochester 5-2 and Albany 3-2.  Bridgeport is 32-16-1-1 on the season; Jaroslav Halak extended his club-record winning streak to 11 straight games on Friday while Eamon McAdam recorded the win on Saturday.

 

Bracken Kearns continues to lead the Sound Tigers in goals (17) and points (17-22-39).  Ho-Sang as tied fellow rookie Devon Toews for the team lead with 24 assists.  Pulock leads the defense with 10 goals (10-12-22 in only 29 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 (12-1-2).

 

Bridgeport hosts Hershey on Sunday at 3pm.

 

Up Next

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 19th –NEW JERSEY AT ISLANDERS– 7:00PM

[MSG+ (Isles Game Night begins at 6:30), WMCA 570AM, 88.7 WRHU-FM, 103.9 WRCN]

 

The Devils make their first trip to Brooklyn in 14 months as the teams conclude their home-and-home series.  The Isles won both meetings last season between the teams, 2-1 on November 3^rd and 4-0 on December 13^th.

 

The Isles have won their last 5 home games against New Jersey although two of their Coliseum wins came in shootouts.

 

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