The Skinny: Isles 4, Rangers 0

"The Skinny"      

By Eric Hornick

Game 50

Isles 4, Rangers 0

Semyon Varlamov made 25 saves for his third shutout of the season at Madison Square Garden (and sixth overall) and Leo Komarov's opening goal was the game-winner as the Isles broke a three-game winless streak with a 4-0 shutout victory over the Rangers before a socially-distanced crowd of 1,800. 

Oliver Wahlstrom's power play goal doubled the Islanders' advantage before the first period was over; Anthony Beauvillier and Mathew Barzal also scored (the latter recording his first career empty net goal).

The Isles remain in 3rd place in the East Division, four points behind both Pittsburgh and Washington. The Isles and Caps have six games to play while Pittsburgh has five. Boston is just one point behind the Isles withseven games to play, while the Rangers are now seven points behind the Isles (with just five games to play).  

The Isles' magic number to clinch a playoff spot is down to four; they would clinch a spot with a regulation win over the Rangers on Saturday.

 

The Scoring:

1st Period

Leo Komarov (1) Jordan Eberle (17), Nick Leddy (26) 06:27 NYI 1,NYR 0

Oliver Wahlstrom (10) Brock Nelson (11), Josh Bailey (21) 12:39 NYI 2,NYR 0 PPG

2nd Period

Anthony Beauvillier (11) Scott Mayfield (11), Brock Nelson (12) 01:03 NYI 3,NYR 0

3rd Period

Mathew Barzal (14)EN Scott Mayfield (12) 14:26 NYI 4,NYR 0

The Skinny        

The Isles are 11-9-1 since the end of their 9-game win streak (and 12-game point streak) … The Isles have killed 28 of the last 29 opponent power plays and have scored a shorthanded goal in that span as well… Leo Komarov, who scored his first goal since February 21, 2020, and Noah Dobson got back into the lineup, replacing Michael Dal Colle and Braydon Coburn in the line-up.… The team that scored first has won the last thirteen Islander games and has won all seven Islander-Ranger games this season ….The Isles have only four regulation wins in the last 18 games (two vs. the Rangers)…The Isles have not allowed a goal in 118:31…Komarov's goal was the first scored by the Isles at even-strength in 200:05… Anthony Beauvillier is 11-10-21 in 20 games vs. the Rangers; Mathew Barzal is 6-18-24 in 19 games against the Blueshirts…The Isles blanked the Rangers three times in The Garden; prior to this season the Isles had only two shutouts all-time against the Rangers at MSG…Barry Trotz coached his 200th game for the Isles (113-65-22); the Isles have allowed the fewest goals in the NHL over that span (493)…Nick Leddy tied Mathew Barzal for the club lead in assists…The Isles finished April with an 8-5-1 record...Brock Nelson tied Anders Lee for the 3rd-longest consecutive game streak in club history (295).

Three for the History Books

1. Semyon Varlamov is the first opponent to shut out the Rangers three times at MSG in a single season; he is only the second goalie in the expansion era with three shutouts in a season against the Rangers (joining Dominik Hasek 1997-98).

2. Varlamov's overall shutout streak is now a career-best 153:56; Chico Resch holds the club record at 178:29.   

3. Varlamov is the first goalie to have six shutouts in a season of 56 games or less since Johnny Mowers had six for Detroit in 1942-43.  

Longest Shutout Streaks in Isles History

1. Glenn Resch 1975-76 178:29

2. Robin Lehner 2018-19 177:43

3. Ron Hextall 1993-94  176:46

4. Wade Flaherty 1997-98 169:14

5. Rick DiPietro 2006-07  156:30

6. Jaroslav Halak 2014-15 156:04

7. Thomas Greiss 2016-17 154:10

8. Semyon Varlamov 2020-21 153:56

First Times in a Long Time 

The Isles have earned three shutouts against the same opponent for the first time since 1997-98 (vs. Tampa Bay) and only the third time in their history (1996-97 vs. Washington).  

All four Islander-Ranger games at MSG ended in shutouts; it is the first time one venue has hosted four consecutive shutouts between two teams since Buffalo and Los Angeles did so at Staples Center over a four season period (2013-14 to 2016-17).  

Magic Number Time

The Islanders' magic number for clinching a playoff spot fall to 4 over the Rangers; Philadelphia was eliminated today. New Jersey and Buffalo cannot catch the Isles.

The Playoff Chase  (top 4 make playoffs)

X -Washington 69 points (6 to play)

Pittsburgh         69 points (5 to play)

ISLES 65 points (6 to play)

Boston 64 points (7 to play)

---------------------------------------------------

Rangers      58 points (5 to play)

This Week's Schedule:

• Friday – no games

• Saturday- NYR @ Isles, BUF @ BOS, NJD @ PHI, PIT @ WAS

• Sunday- no games

• Monday- Isles @ BUF, WAS @ NYR, BOS @ NJD, PIT @ PHI

• Tuesday- Isles @ BUF, BOS @ NJD, PIT @ PHI

• Wednesday- WAS @ NYR

• Thursday- NJD @ Isles, NYR @ BOS, BUF @ PIT

Race for the Jennings(excludes shootout)

1. Vegas  103 goals allowed in 48 games  2.15

2. Isles  112 goals allowed in 50 games    2.24

3. Carolina 118 goals allowed in 50 games 2.36

4. Boston  119 goals allowed in 49 games  2.43

5. Colorado 116 goals allowed in 47 games 2.47

Most Shutouts in a Season

• 11 2018-19 (82-game schedule)

• 10 1975-76 (80-game schedule)

• 9   2020-21 (56-game schedule)

• 8   1997-98 (82-game schedule)

The Isles will earn a shutout in at least 16.1% of their games this season, breaking the previous record (13.4% in 2018-19).

Varly Solid

Semyon Varlamov is 11-5-2 in his last eighteen decisions, allowing just 37 goals in that span.  Varly has won 18 games this season with a goals against average of 2.05 and save percentage of .928.  Varlamov has 250 NHL wins (tied for 61st with Johnny Bower) and 33 shutouts, including an NHL-leading six  this season.

Varlamov did not allow a goal in 180 minutes of play at MSG this season, becoming the first opponent to ever record three shutouts at MSG in a season.

Sorokin's Shining

Ilya Sorokin is 12-4-0 in his last sixteen starts. He has allowed two goals or fewer in six of his last seven appearances and in twelve of his last sixteen starts.

Most Wins by an Islander Rookie Goalie (one season):

1. Chico Resch 23 (1975-76)

2. Roland Melanson 22 (1981-82)

3. Kelly Hrudey 19 (1984-85)

4. Ilya Sorokin 12 (2020-21)

        Chico Resch 12 (1974-75)

Most Shutouts by an Islander Rookie Goalie (one season):

1. Chico Resch 7 (1975-76)

2. Ilya Sorokin 3 (2020-21)

        Chico Resch 3 (1974-75)

(Resch appeared in 25 games in 1974-75 and thus was considered a rookie the following year) 

Home Sweet Home

The Isles have earned points in 22 of their first 25 home games (19-3-3); it is their best home record through 25 games in the Post-Cup Era:

Most Points at Home Through 25 Games

• 42 1978-79 (19-2-4)

• 42 1977-78 (19-2-4)

• 42 1980-81 (20-3-2)

• 41 2020-21 (19-3-3)

Top of the Chart

The Isles now have 65 points in 50 games; it matches their highest point total through 50 games in the Post-Cup era:

• 65 2014-15

• 65 2020-21

• 64 2018-19

• 64 2019-20

Solid D

The Isles have allowed only 114 goals (including 2 shootout winners) in 50 games; it is the fewest goals that they have allowed through 50 games in their history:

• 114 (2020-21)

• 119 (1975-76)

• 122 (1977-78)

• 123 (2018-19)

• 124 (1976-77)

Results vs. Each East Division Opponent

• Boston W-W-W-Wso-Wot-L-L Remaining games: 1  (0 home, 1 away)

• Buffalo W-W-W-W-W-W         Remaining games: 2  (0 home, 2 away)

• New Jersey W-L-W-W-W-Wso Remaining games: 2  (2 home, 0 away)

• Rangers         W-L-W-L-Wot-W-W         Remaining games: 1  (1 home, 0 away)

• Philadelphia Lot-Lot-L-W-Wot-Wso-Wso-Wot Remaining games: 0

• Pittsburgh         W-Lso-L-L-Lot-W-L-L Remaining games: 0

• Washington L-L-L-W-W-Lso-L-L Remaining games: 0

Home and Road

The Isles are 30-15-5 overall; they are 19-3-3 at home and 11-12-2 on the road.

The Rangers are 26-19-6 overall; they are 14-9-3 at home and 12-10-3 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 875-633-60-156 in 1,724 games. 

Most Coaching Wins

1. Scotty Bowman  1,244

2. Joel Quenneville  958

3. Barry Trotz    875

Most Games Coached

1. Scotty Bowman   2,141

2. Joel Quenneville 1,757

3. Barry Trotz        1,724

Sweet Lou

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

1. David Poile 1,442 

2. Lou Lamoriello 1,324

3. Glen Sather 1,319

It All Starts at the Top

Lou Lamoriello and Barry Trotz have 2,199 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 21-1-2 when scoring first and are 9-14-3 when allowing the opening goal. 

• At home, Isles are 13-0-2 scoring first and 6-3-1 trailing first

• On road, Isles are 8-1-0 scoring first and 3-11-2 trailing first

The Isles have won 87.5% of the games that they have scored first, which is the highest percentage in the NHL (just ahead of Edmonton - .870 and Vegas - .867).  The Isles are the only team with just one regulation loss when scoring first.

The Shots

Isles    10-9-8=27

Rangers    7-10-8=25

The Isles are 19-5-2 when they outshoot their opponents, 1-1-0 when the shots are even and 10-9-3 when they are outshot.  Under Barry Trotz, the Isles are 63-34-13 when outshot.

In the Nets

Semyon Varlamov made 25 saves to improve to 18-9-4 on the season and 10-6-2 in his career against the Rangers. All three of his career shutouts against the Rangers have come this season.

Igor Shesterkin made 23 saves but falls to 15-12-3 on the season and 0-4-1 in his career against the Isles. 

Special Teams

The Isles were 1-2 on the power play (3:43); the Rangers were 0-2 on the power play (4:00). 

The Isles are 13-5-3 when they score at least one power play goal and 17-10-2 when they do not.  The Isles are 6-9-2 when they allow at least one power play goal and 24-6-3 when they do not.

Three is a Magic Number

The Isles are 22-4-3 when they score at least three goals (including shootout winners) and are 8-11-2 when they do not.  Under Barry Trotz, the Isles are 88-9-10 when scoring three or more.

One-Goal Games

The Isles are 14-5-5 in games decided by a single goal including 6-5 in regulation. They are 4-3 in games decided in overtime and are 4-2 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.

Greatest Percentage of 1-goal games won 

• 1981-82 -- .800

• 1982-83 & 1976-77 -- .667

• 1991-92 -- .619

• 2014-15 -- .605

• 2018-19 -- .594

• 2020-21 -- .583

Back-to-Backs

The Isles are 4-1-2 in the front-half and 4-2-1 in the back-half. The final back-to-back of the season will be on May 3rd/4th, both of which will be played in Buffalo.

 

Under Barry Trotz, the Isles are 21-4-3 (.804) in back-ends. This is by far the best record of any NHL team in back-ends during this stretch.  Tampa Bay has the next best record: 19-8-3 (.683).

Series

The Isles are playing the same opponent in consecutive games sixteen times this season (including three-game stretches vs. the Sabres, Devils, Flyers, and Capitals).

  

In two-game series, the Isles are 4-5-2 in the first game and 3-6-1 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), PIT (L/L), NYR (L/Wot), BOS (L/L), NYR (W/-)

In three-game series, the Isles are 2-1-1 in the first game, 3-1-0 in the second game, and 3-1-0 in the third:

BUF (W/W/W), NJ (W/W/W), PHI (L/W/Wot), WAS (Lso/L/L)

Tired vs. Rested 

• The Isles are 5-2-1 when both teams played the night before. 

• The Isles are 1-2-0 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 24-11-4 when both teams are rested. 

Ice-time Leaders

Isles: Adam Pelech (22:57); Rangers: Adam Fox (27:31)

Brock Nelson led Isles forwards with 17:32 of ice-time. 

Isles record by ice-time leaders: Nick Leddy (9-5-1), Ryan Pulock (15-7-3), Scott Mayfield (1-1-0), Mathew Barzal (1-1-1), Adam Pelech (4-1-0).

Face-offs

Isles 31, Rangers 19 (62%)

JG Pageau won 14 of 19 for the Isles; no Ranger won more than he lost.

The Isles are 19-8-2 when they win more face-offs than the opposition, 0-4-1 when they are tied, and 11-5-1 when they win fewer.

Hit Count

Isles 23 (Cal Clutterbuck -6)

Rangers 26 (Three with 3)

Fights 

There were no fights.  Season total: 5 (Martin -2, Cizikas -1, Wahlstrom -1, Johnston-1)

 

Blocked Shots

Isles 17 (Scott Mayfield -4)

Rangers 12 (Brett Howden -4)

For the Analytics Crowd 

Corsi: All situations: Isles 54, Rangers 57

Corsi: 5-on-5: Isles 43, Rangers 52

5-on-5 leaders:

Isles:  Ryan Pulock +6

Rangers: Brendan Smith +20

High Danger Scoring Chances (per Natural Stat Trick)

All situations: Isles 9, Rangers 9

5-on-5: Isles 5, Rangers 8

Scratches

Sebastian Aho, Cory Schneider, (Anders Lee-LTIR), Ross Johnston, Braydon Coburn, Michael Dal Colle, Brian Bellows

Games Lost: 55

COVID Games Lost -6

250-Game Club

The Isles have two players who have active consecutive game streaks of at least 250 games, and they are two of just 14 players in the NHL whose streak began no later than the start of the 2017-18 season.   

Ironman Streaks: Brock Nelson 295, Mathew Barzal 282, Ryan Pulock 245.  All three players have appeared in every game since Barry Trotz became the Isles' coach.

Iron Man

Brock Nelson has the longest active streak (and is now tied with Anders Lee for the 3rd -longest in club history); Mathew Barzal is 6th on this list while Ryan Pulock is 9th:

1. Billy Harris 10/7/1972 -11/30/1979 576 (*)

2. Bobby Nystrom 1/7/1975 - 11/25/1978 301

3. Brock Nelson 3/16/2017 – CURRENT 295

    Anders Lee 1/26/2017 – 3/13/2021 295

5. Matt Moulson 10/3/2009 - 4/4/2013 284

6. Mathew Barzal 10/6/2017- CURRENT 282

7. Denis Potvin 11/29/1975 - 1/17/1979 262

8. John Tavares 10/16/2010 - 12/23/2013 246

9. Ryan Pulock 12/29/2017 – CURRENT 245

10. J.P. Parise 1/7/1975 – 1/7/1978 240 (**)

 (*) 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 one goal and allowed four 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:  4 [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; Oskar Lindblom, 3/18/21 vs PHI (17:38)-winning goal; Anders Bjork, 3/25/21 vs BOS (17:54) – tying goal/Isles won in OT]

All-time Islander Leader Boards:

Games Played (skaters)

1. Bryan Trottier 1,123 *** 2. Denis Potvin 1,060 *** 3. Josh Bailey 913…

13. Stefan Persson 622 *** 14. Matt Martin 610 *** 15. Frans Nielsen 606 *** 16. Brock Nelson 598 *** 17. Kenny Jonsson 597 *** 18. Garry Howatt 596 *** 19. John Tonelli 594 *** 20. Casey Cizikas 584 … 

27. Kyle Okposo 529 *** 28. Cal Clutterbuck 523 *** 29.  Anders Lee 520 *** 30. Dave Lewis 514 *** 31.  Nick Leddy 512

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 166 *** 16. Josh Bailey 162

Assists

1. Bryan Trottier 853 *** 2. Denis Potvin 742 *** 3. Mike Bossy 553 ***

4. Clark Gillies 359 *** 5. John Tavares 349 *** 6.  Josh Bailey 343 …

17.  Kyle Okposo and Frans Nielsen 230 *** 19.Nick Leddy 195

Points

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

9. Bob Bourne 542 *** 10. Bob Nystrom 513 *** 11. Josh Bailey 505…

20. Ziggy Palffy 331 *** 21. Brock Nelson 323 ***  22. Anders Lee 320

Games Coached 

1. Al Arbour 1,500 *** 2. Jack Capuano 483 *** 3. Barry Trotz 200

 

Coaching Wins

1. Al Arbour 740 *** 2. Jack Capuano 227 *** 3. Barry Trotz 113

On the Farm

Bridgeport is 7-13-2-0 on the season (4-6-1-0 vs. Hartford and 3-7-1-0 vs. Providence) following a 2-1 shootout win over the Bruins on Thursday; Felix Bibeau scored the only goal of the actual game and then the Sound Tigers won an 8-round shootout by a 4-3 score. Bridgeport's point streak is now five games (4-0-1).  

Bridgeport returns to action on Monday afternoon when they host the Bruins in the home finale; they will play the season finale the following afternoon in Hartford.

Season Series Stats

The Isles lead the season series 5 games to 2 (and 10 points to 5). 

The Isles are 5-2-0 while the Rangers are 2-4-1.

The Isles are 2-1-0 at the Coliseum vs. the Caps and 3-1-0 at the Garden.   .

Over the last six seasons, the Isles are 19-7-1 against the Rangers, including 10-4-0 at the Garden.

UP NEXT

SATURDAY, MAY 1st  – RANGERS AT ISLANDERS 7:00pm

[MSG+2 [pre-game at 6:30], WRHU 88.7 FM, WRCN 103.9FM, ESPN 1050]

The Isles play only the 2nd regular season May game in their history as they Rangers make their final visit to Nassau Coliseum.  The only other May regular season game in club history was on May 2, 1995 at the Coliseum against the Flyers (2-0 loss).

The Isles will face the Rangers in May for the first time since sweeping the Blueshirts in the 1981 Semi-Finals, winning the final game on May 5th.

The Isles would clinch a playoff spot with a regulation win over the Rangers.

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