The Skinny: New Jersey 2, Isles 1

"The Skinny"      

By Eric Hornick

Game 54

New Jersey 2, Isles 1

Michael McLeod converted a pass form Damon Severson late in the second period for the lead goal and Mackenzie Blackwood made 32 saves for his 5th straight win as the New Jersey Devils defeated the Isles  2-1 before a socially-distanced crowd of 1,400 at the Nassau Coliseum.

Anthony Beauvillier scored for the 13th time in 22 games, moving him within a single goal of the team lead but that was the Isles' only tally in their penultimate regular season game at the Coliseum.

The Isles remain in 4th place in the East Division and can now finish no higher than third.  The Isles now trail Boston by three points; the Isles have two games to play, and Boston has three. 

 

The Scoring:

1st Period

Pavel Zacha (16) Jesper Bratt (22), Nico Hischier (4) 14:11 NJD 1,NYI 0

2nd Period

Anthony Beauvillier (15) Scott Mayfield (13), Brock Nelson (15) 05:35 NJD 1,NYI 1

Michael McLeod (9) Damon Severson (18), Ryan Murray (14) 15:31 NJD 2,NYI 1

3rd Period

No Goals

The Skinny        

The Isles are 12-11-2 since the end of their 9-game win streak (and 12-game point streak) … The Isles have killed 34 of the last 36 opponent power plays; they have killed 46 of 50 at home this season (92.0%, 2nd all-time to Boston's 92.4% in 1998-99)…The team that has scored first has won 16 of the last 17 Islander games... The Isles have only five regulation wins in the last 22 games (two vs Washington and three vs. the Rangers)… Anthony Beauvillier extended his point streak to five games (5-1-6); Josh Bailey's assist streak ended at four games as he remains one assist behind John Tavares for 5th place on the all-time club list…The Isles are 1-2-1 in their last four home games after going 19-2-2 to open the season. 

The Playoff (Positioning) Chase  (all have clinched berth)

X-Pittsburgh 75 points/ 28 regulation wins (1 to play)

X -Washington 73 points/ 28 regulation wins (3 to play)

X -Boston         71 points/ 25 regulation wins (3 to play)

X-ISLES         68 points/ 23 regulation wins (2 to play)

Remaining Schedule:

• Friday – PHI @ WAS 

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

• Sunday – Happy Mother's Day (no games)

• Monday – Isles @ BOS, NJ @ PHI

• Tuesday – BOS @ WAS

Race for the Jennings (includes shootout losers)

1. Vegas    118 goals allowed in 52 games  2.27

2. Isles      124 goals allowed in 54 games  2.30

3. Carolina 128 goals allowed in 54 games  2.37

4. Boston   127 goals allowed in 53 games  2.40

Most Shutouts in a Season

• 11 2018-19 (82-game schedule)

• 10  2020-21 (56-game schedule)

• 10 1975-76 (80-game schedule)

The Isles will earn a shutout in at least 17.9% of their games this season, breaking the previous record (13.4% in 2018-19).

Longest Shutout Streaks in Isles History (Goalie)

1. Semyon Varlamov 2020-21 248:00

2. Glenn Resch 1975-76 178:29

3. Robin Lehner 2018-19 177:43

Longest Shutout Streaks in Isles History (Team)

1. 2020-21 212:35

2. 1997-78 199:14

3. 2014-15 193:48

Varly Solid

Semyon Varlamov is 12-7-2 in his last 21 decisions, allowing just 42 goals in that span.  Varly has won 19 games this season with a goals against average of 2.02 and save percentage of .930.  Varlamov has 251 NHL wins (passing Johnny Bower for 61st) and 34 shutouts, including an NHL-leading seven this season.

Most Shutouts by an Islander Goalie (one season):

1. Semyon Varlamov 7 (2020-21)

        Chico Resch 7 (1975-76)

Lowest Goals Against by an Islander Goalie (one season) (minimum 1000 minutes):

1. Semyon Varlamov 2.02 (2020-21)

2. Chico Resch 2.08 (1975-76)

3. Robin Lehner 2.13 (2018-19)

4. Ilya Sorokin 2.22 (2020-21)

Highest Save Percentage by an Islander Goalie (one season) (minimum 1000 minutes):

1. Robin Lehner .9297 (2018-19)

2.     Semyon Varlamov .9295 (2020-21)

3. Chico Resch .928 (1975-76)

4. Thomas Greiss .927 (2018-191)

Sorokin's Shining

Ilya Sorokin is 12-4-1 in his last seventeen starts. He has allowed two goals or fewer in six of his last eight appearances and in twelve of his last seventeen 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; Sorokin turns 26 this summer so he will not have rookie status next season) 

Home Sweet Home

The Isles have earned points in 23 of their first 27 home games (20-4-3); it is their best home record through 26 games in the Post-Cup Era:

Most Points at Home Through 27 Games

• 46 1977-78 (21-2-4)

• 46 1980-81 (22-3-2)

• 45 1978-79 (20-2-5)

• 43 2020-21 (20-4-3)

Top of the Chart

The Isles now have 68 points in 54 games; it is one point behind 2014-15 for the most points through 54 games in the Post-Cup era:

• 69 2014-15

. 68 2020-21

• 68 2019-20

• 68 2018-19

Solid D

The Isles have allowed only 124 goals (including 3 shootout winners) in 54 games; it is the fewest goals that they have allowed through 54 games in their history:

• 124 (2020-21)

• 132 (2018-19)

• 132 (1975-76)

• 135 (1977-78)

• 135 (2003-04)

• 137 (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-L-Lot Remaining games: 0

• New Jersey W-L-W-W-W-Wso-L Remaining games: 1  (1 home, 0 away)

• Rangers         W-L-W-L-Wot-W-W-W Remaining games: 0

• 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 31-17-6 overall; they are 20-4-3 at home and 11-13-3 on the road.

New Jersey is 19-28-7 overall; they are 7-18-3 at home and 12-10-4 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 876-635-60-157 in 1,728 games. 

Most Coaching Wins

1. Scotty Bowman  1,244

2. Joel Quenneville  960

3. Barry Trotz  876

Most Games Coached

1. Scotty Bowman  2,141

2. Joel Quenneville 1,759

3. Barry Trotz        1,728

Sweet Lou

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

1. David Poile 1,444

2. Lou Lamoriello 1,325

3. Glen Sather 1,319

It All Starts at the Top

Lou Lamoriello and Barry Trotz have 2,201 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 22-2-2 when scoring first and are 9-15-4 when allowing the opening goal. 

• At home, Isles are 14-0-2 scoring first and 6-4-1 trailing first

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

The Isles have won 84.6% of the games that they have scored first, which is the 3rd-highest percentage in the NHL (just behind Edmonton - .875 and Vegas - .871).   

The Shots

Isles    8-12-13=33

New Jersey    12-8-5=25

The Isles are 19-6-3 when they outshoot their opponents, 1-1-0 when the shots are even and 11-10-3 when they are outshot.  Under Barry Trotz, the Isles are 64-35-13 when outshot.

In the Nets

Semyon Varlamov made 23 saves but falls to 19-11-4 on the season and 7-4-0 in his career against New Jersey. 

Mackenzie Blackwood made 32 saves to improve to 14-16-4 on the season and 2-3-1 vs. the Isles. 

Special Teams

The Isles were 0-2 on the power play (3:33); New Jersey was 0-1 on the power play (1:33). 

The Isles are 13-5-3 when they score at least one power play goal and 18-12-3 when they do not.  The Isles are 6-10-2 when they allow at least one power play goal and 25-7-4 when they do not.

Three is a Magic Number

The Isles are 23-4-4 when they score at least three goals (including shootout winners) and are 8-13-2 when they do not.  Under Barry Trotz, the Isles are 88-9-11 when scoring three or more.

One-Goal Games

The Isles are 14-6-6 in games decided by a single goal including 6-6 in regulation. They are 4-3 in games decided in overtime and are 4-3 in shootouts.  The Isles are 0-1 in games in which an empty-net goal turns a 1-goal game into a 2-goal game.

Back-to-Backs

The Isles played eight back-to-backs this season, going 4-2-2 in the front-half and 4-2-2 in the back-half. 

 

Under Barry Trotz, the Isles are 21-4-4 (.793) 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: 20-8-3 (.694).

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 4-7-2 in the first game and 4-6-2 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/W), BUF (L/Lot), NJ (L/-)

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)

Ice-time Leaders

Isles: Nick Leddy (21:47); New Jersey: Ryan Murray (21:12)

Mathew Barzal led Isles forwards with 21:37 of ice-time. 

Isles record by ice-time leaders: Nick Leddy (9-6-1), Ryan Pulock (16-8-3), Scott Mayfield (1-1-0), Mathew Barzal (1-1-1), Adam Pelech (4-1-1).

Face-offs

Isles 30, New Jersey 19 (61%)

Travis Zajac won 6 of 7 for the Isles; Michael MacLeod won 11 of 16 for New Jersey.

The Isles are 19-10-3 when they win more face-offs than the opposition, 0-4-1 when they are tied, and 12-5-2 when they win fewer.

Hit Count

Isles 33 (Matt Martin-7)

New Jersey 16 (Two with 4)

Fights 

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

 

Blocked Shots

Isles 19 (Noah Dobson -6)

New Jersey 24 (Ryan Murray -5)

For the Analytics Crowd 

Corsi: All situations: Isles 66, New Jersey 49

Corsi: 5-on-5: Isles 49, New Jersey 46

5-on-5 leaders:

Isles:  Adam Pelech +16

New Jersey: Damon Severson +5

High Danger Scoring Chances (per Natural Stat Trick)

All situations: Isles 13, New Jersey 9

5-on-5: Isles 9, New Jersey 9

Scratches

(Anders Lee-LTIR), Cory Schneider, Sebastian Aho, Andy Greene,  Brian Bellows, Jordan Eberle, Leo Komarov, Michael Dal Colle

Games Lost: 60

COVID Games Lost -6

Iron Man Club

Brock Nelson has played in 299 consecutive games and Ryan Pulock in 249; both have appeared in every game since Barry Trotz became the Isles' coach.  

Iron Man

Brock Nelson has the longest active streak (and the 3rd -longest in club history) while Ryan Pulock is 8th:

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 299

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

5. Mathew Barzal 10/6/2017- 5/3/2021 284

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

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

8. Ryan Pulock 12/29/2017 – CURRENT 249

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

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: 2 successful, 1 failure (goalie interference 1/14 @ NYR, no goalie interference 3/11 vs NJ, goalie interference 5/3 @ BUF)

The Isles are 1-0-0 in games where opponents' challenges go their way and 1-1-0 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 917…

13. Stefan Persson 622 *** 14. Matt Martin 613 *** 15. Frans Nielsen 606 *** 16. Brock Nelson 602 *** 17. Kenny Jonsson 597 *** 18. Garry Howatt 596 *** 19. John Tonelli 594 *** 20. Casey Cizikas 588 … 

27. Kyle Okposo 529 *** 28. Cal Clutterbuck 527 *** 29.  Anders Lee 520 *** 30. Nick Leddy 516

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 348 …

17.  Kyle Okposo and Frans Nielsen 230 *** 19. Nick Leddy 196

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 510…

20. Ziggy Palffy 331 *** 21. Brock Nelson 325 ***  22. Anders Lee 320

Games Coached 

1. Al Arbour 1,500 *** 2. Jack Capuano 483 *** 3. Barry Trotz 204

 

Coaching Wins

1. Al Arbour 740 *** 2. Jack Capuano 227 *** 3. Barry Trotz 114

On the Farm

Bridgeport went 5-1-1-0 in their last seven games to finish their season with a record of 8-14-2-0 (4-7-1-0 vs. Hartford and 4-7-1-0 vs. Providence). 

Season Series Stats

The Isles lead the season series 5 games to 2 (and 10 points to 4). 

The Isles are 5-2-0 while New Jersey is 2-4-1.

The Isles are 2-1-0 at the Coliseum vs. the Devils and 3-1-0 on the road.  

UP NEXT

SATURDAY, MAY 8th  –NEW JERSEY AT ISLANDERS 7:00pm

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

The Isles play the final regular season game scheduled to be played at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum as they entertain the Devils on Saturday.

The Isles are 45-19-8 at the Coliseum since returning home in December 2019.

After splitting a pair of games in January, the Isles won all four games from the Devils in March to grab a 5-1 lead in the season series before dropping the Thursday game.

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

The Skinny: Buffalo 4, Isles 3 (SO)

"The Skinny"      

By Eric Hornick

Game 53

Buffalo 4, Isles 3 (Shootout)

Anders Bjork scored the game's final two goals and then scored the only tally of the shootout as the Buffalo Sabres made it wins on back-to-back nights over the Isles, with a 4-3 shootout win at KeyBank Center.

28-year-old Michael Houser made it two wins in as many games despite a season-high 48 Islander shots. Mathew Barzal did not play for the Islanders, ending his 284 consecutive game streak.

The Isles remain in 4th place in the East Division, five points behind Pittsburgh, three points behind Washington and one point behind Boston. The Isles have three games to play, Pittsburgh has two and Boston and Washington each have four.

 

The Scoring:

1st Period

Cody Eakin (3) Jeff Skinner (7), Drake Caggiula (7) 15:59 NYI 0,BUF 1

Anthony Beauvillier (14) Josh Bailey (26), Brock Nelson (14) 16:25 NYI 1,BUF 1

2nd Period

Ryan Pulock (2) Cal Clutterbuck (7), Ross Johnston (1) 03:44 NYI 2,BUF 1

Cal Clutterbuck (4) 09:16 NYI 3,BUF 1 SHG

Anders Bjork (4) Colin Miller (7), Victor Olofsson (18) 17:37 NYI 3,BUF 2

3rd Period

Anders Bjork (5) Victor Olofsson (19) 10:56 NYI 3,BUF 3 

OT

No Goals

The Skinny        

The Isles are 12-10-2 since the end of their 9-game win streak (and 12-game point streak) … The Isles had killed 33 of the last 35 opponent power plays…The team that has scored first has won 15 of the last 16 Islander games ….The Isles have only five regulation wins in the last 21 games (two vs Washington and three vs. the Rangers)… Anthony Beauvillier and Josh Bailey each extended their point streak to four games; Bailey has at least one assist in each of those games and is now just one assist behind John Tavares for 5th place on the all-time club list….Adam Pelech played his 300th NHL game…The Isles have now played at least one overtime game against each of the other seven teams in the East Division…The Isles got a goal from the defense for the second straight game; it gives the defense 15 goals on the season [ahead of only Toronto (13) and Winnipeg (10)]…Cal Clutterbuck matched his career-high with his 25th 2-point game; ten of his eighteen career shorthanded goals have been scored as an Islander.  He is the 12th Islander to score at least ten shorties…The Isles had a season-high 48 shots on goal; it is the fourth time under Barry Trotz that they have had at least that many; the 21 shots in the first period represent a season high in any period…Anders Bjork recorded his 2nd career 2-goal game; it was the second time this season (March 25th for Boston) that he has scored a goal that sent a game against the Isles to overtime.

The Shootout

Sam Reinhart (NG) /Jordan Eberle (NG)

Anders Bjork (G/GDG)/ Anthony Beauvillier (NG)

Casey Mittelstadt (NG)/ Oliver Wahlstrom (NG)

Anders Bjork scored the deciding goal on his first career shootout attempt…Ilya Sorokin falls to 3-1 in shootouts; he has stopped 13 of 15 attempts...Both teams are now 4-3 in shootouts this season.

First Times in a Long Time 

The Isles led after two periods in consecutive games but didn't win either of them for the first time since February 2018; it happened on consecutive days for the first time since March 2014.

The Playoff (Positioning) Chase  (all have clinched berth)

X-Pittsburgh 73 points/ 27 regulation wins (2 to play)

X -Washington 71 points/ 27 regulation wins (4 to play)

X -Boston         69 points/ 24 regulation wins (4 to play)

X-ISLES         68 points/ 23 regulation wins (3 to play)

Remaining Schedule:

• Wednesday- WAS @ NYR

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

• Friday – PHI @ WAS 

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

• Sunday, May 9th – Happy Mother's Day (no games)

• Monday, May 10th – Isles @ BOS, NJ @ PHI

• Tuesday, May 11th – BOS @ WAS

Race for the Jennings (includes shootout losers)

1. Vegas    116 goals allowed in 51 games  2.27

2. Isles      122 goals allowed in 53 games  2.30

3. Carolina 126 goals allowed in 53 games  2.38

4. Boston   127 goals allowed in 52 games  2.44

Most Shutouts in a Season

• 11 2018-19 (82-game schedule)

• 10  2020-21 (56-game schedule)

• 10 1975-76 (80-game schedule)

The Isles will earn a shutout in at least 17.9% of their games this season, breaking the previous record (13.4% in 2018-19).

Longest Shutout Streaks in Isles History (Goalie)

1. Semyon Varlamov 2020-21 248:00

2. Glenn Resch 1975-76 178:29

3. Robin Lehner 2018-19 177:43

Longest Shutout Streaks in Isles History (Team)

1. 2020-21 212:35

2. 1997-78 199:14

3. 2014-15 193:48

Varly Solid

Semyon Varlamov is 12-6-2 in his last twenty decisions, allowing just 40 goals in that span.  Varly has won 19 games this season with a goals against average of 2.02 and save percentage of .930.  Varlamov has 251 NHL wins (passing Johnny Bower for 61st) and 34 shutouts, including an NHL-leading seven this season.

Most Shutouts by an Islander Goalie (one season):

1. Semyon Varlamov 7 (2020-21)

        Chico Resch 7 (1975-76)

Lowest Goals Against by an Islander Goalie (one season) (minimum 1000 minutes):

1. Semyon Varlamov 2.02 (2020-21)

2. Chico Resch 2.08 (1975-76)

3. Robin Lehner 2.13 (2018-19)

4. Ilya Sorokin 2.19 (2020-21)

Highest Save Percentage by an Islander Goalie (one season) (minimum 1000 minutes):

1. Semyon Varlamov .9298 (2020-21)

2. Robin Lehner .9297 (2018-19)

3. Chico Resch .928 (1975-76)

4. Thomas Greiss .927 (2018-191)

Sorokin's Shining

Ilya Sorokin is 12-4-1 in his last seventeen starts. He has allowed two goals or fewer in six of his last eight appearances and in twelve of his last seventeen 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; Sorokin turns 26 this summer so he will not have rookie status next season) 

Home Sweet Home

The Isles have earned points in 23 of their first 26 home games (20-3-3); it is their best home record through 26 games in the Post-Cup Era:

Most Points at Home Through 26 Games

• 44 1977-78 (20-2-4)

• 44 1980-81 (21-3-2)

• 43 1978-79 (19-2-5)

• 43 2020-21 (20-3-3)

Top of the Chart

The Isles now have 68 points in 53 games; it is one point behind 2014-15 for the most points through 53 games in the Post-Cup era:

• 69 2014-15

• 68 2020-21

• 68 2019-20

• 68 2018-19

Solid D

The Isles have allowed only 122 goals (including 3 shootout winners) in 53 games; it is the fewest goals that they have allowed through 53 games in their history:

• 122 (2020-21)

• 130 (1975-76)

• 133 (1977-78)

• 133 (2003-04)

• 133 (1976-77)

• 134 (2018-19)

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-L-Lot Remaining games: 0

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

• Rangers         W-L-W-L-Wot-W-W-W Remaining games: 0

• 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 31-16-6 overall; they are 20-3-3 at home and 11-13-3 on the road.

Buffalo is 15-32-7 overall; they are 8-16-4 at home and 7-16-3 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 876-634-60-157 in 1,727 games. 

Most Coaching Wins

1. Scotty Bowman  1,244

2. Joel Quenneville  960

3. Barry Trotz    876

Most Games Coached

1. Scotty Bowman   2,141

2. Joel Quenneville 1,759

3. Barry Trotz        1,727

Sweet Lou

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

1. David Poile 1,444

2. Lou Lamoriello 1,325

3. Glen Sather 1,319

It All Starts at the Top

Lou Lamoriello and Barry Trotz have 2,201 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 22-2-2 when scoring first and are 9-14-4 when allowing the opening goal. 

• At home, Isles are 14-0-2 scoring first and 6-3-1 trailing first

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

The Isles have won 84.6% of the games that they have scored first, which is the highest percentage in the NHL (just behind Edmonton - .875 and Vegas - .871).   

The Shots

Isles    21-8-18-1=48

Buffalo       9-11-11-0=31

The Isles are 19-5-3 when they outshoot their opponents, 1-1-0 when the shots are even and 11-10-3 when they are outshot.  Under Barry Trotz, the Isles are 64-35-13 when outshot.

In the Nets

Ilya Sorokin made 28 saves; he is 12-6-2 on the season and 3-0-1 in his career against Buffalo. He is 3-1 in shootouts.

Michael Houser made 44 saves (and three more in the shootout) to improve to 2-0-0. 

Special Teams

The Isles were 0-1 on the power play (2:00); Buffalo was 0-1 on the power play (2:00). 

The Isles are 13-5-3 when they score at least one power play goal and 18-11-3 when they do not.  The Isles are 6-10-2 when they allow at least one power play goal and 25-6-4 when they do not.

Three is (Usually) a Magic Number

The Isles are 23-4-4 when they score at least three goals (including shootout winners) and are 8-12-2 when they do not.  Under Barry Trotz, the Isles are 88-9-11 when scoring three or more.

One-Goal Games

The Isles are 14-5-6 in games decided by a single goal including 6-5 in regulation. They are 4-3 in games decided in overtime and are 4-3 in shootouts.  The Isles are 0-1 in games in which an empty-net goal turns a 1-goal game into a 2-goal game.

Back-to-Backs

Including tonight, the Isles are 4-2-2 in the front-half and 4-2-2 in the back-half. This was the final back-to-back of the season.

 

Under Barry Trotz, the Isles are 21-4-4 (.793) 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: 20-8-3 (.694).

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 4-6-2 in the first game and 4-6-2 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/W), BUF (L/Lot)

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)

Ice-time Leaders

Isles: Adam Pelech (24:00); Buffalo: Rasmus Ristolainen (26:37)

Travis Zajac led Isles forwards with 18:08 of ice-time. 

Isles record by ice-time leaders: Nick Leddy (9-5-1), Ryan Pulock (16-8-3), Scott Mayfield (1-1-0), Mathew Barzal (1-1-1), Adam Pelech (4-1-1).

Face-offs

Isles 34, Buffalo 19 (64%)

JG Pageau won 13 of 18 for the Isles; Cody Eakin won 8 of 14 for Buffalo.

The Isles are 19-9-3 when they win more face-offs than the opposition, 0-4-1 when they are tied, and 12-5-2 when they win fewer.

Hit Count

Isles 19 (Ross Johnston -4)

Buffalo 16 (Rasmus Ristolainen -4)

Fights 

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

 

Blocked Shots

Isles 11 (Andy Greene -3)

Buffalo 14 (Henri Jokiharji -3)

For the Analytics Crowd 

Corsi: All situations: Isles 75, Buffalo 51

Corsi: 5-on-5: Isles 71, Buffalo 48

5-on-5 leaders:

Isles:  Ryan Pulock +19

Buffalo: Victor Olofsson +9

High Danger Scoring Chances (per Natural Stat Trick)

All situations: Isles 12, Buffalo 8

5-on-5: Isles 11, Buffalo 8

Scratches

(Anders Lee-LTIR), Cory Schneider, Sebastian Aho, Braydon Coburn,  Brian Bellows, Mathew Barzal, Leo Komarov, Matt Martin

Games Lost: 59

COVID Games Lost -6

Iron Man Club

Brock Nelson has played in 298 consecutive games and Ryan Pulock in 248; both have appeared in every game since Barry Trotz became the Isles' coach.  Mathew Barzal's streak ended at 284 tonight.

Iron Man

Brock Nelson has the longest active streak (and the 3rd -longest in club history) while Ryan Pulock is 8th:

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 298

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

5. Mathew Barzal 10/6/2017- 5/3/2021 284

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

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

8. Ryan Pulock 12/29/2017 – CURRENT 248

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

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: 2 successful, 1 failure (goalie interference 1/14 @ NYR, no goalie interference 3/11 vs NJ, goalie interference 5/3 @ BUF)

The Isles are 1-0-0 in games where opponents' challenges go their way and 1-1-0 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 916…

13. Stefan Persson 622 *** 14. Matt Martin 612 *** 15. Frans Nielsen 606 *** 16. Brock Nelson 601 *** 17. Kenny Jonsson 597 *** 18. Garry Howatt 596 *** 19. John Tonelli 594 *** 20. Casey Cizikas 587 … 

27. Kyle Okposo 529 *** 28. Cal Clutterbuck 526 *** 29.  Anders Lee 520 *** 30. Nick Leddy 515

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 348 …

17.  Kyle Okposo and Frans Nielsen 230 *** 19.Nick Leddy 196

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 510…

20. Ziggy Palffy 331 *** 21. Brock Nelson 324 ***  22. Anders Lee 320

Games Coached 

1. Al Arbour 1,500 *** 2. Jack Capuano 483 *** 3. Barry Trotz 203

 

Coaching Wins

1. Al Arbour 740 *** 2. Jack Capuano 227 *** 3. Barry Trotz 114

On the Farm

Bridgeport dropped a 4-3 decision to Hartford to finish their season with a record of 8-14-2-0 (4-7-1-0 vs. Hartford and 4-7-1-0 vs. Providence).  The Sound Tigers went 5-1-1-0 in their last seven games. 

Season Series Stats

The Isles win the season series 6 games to 2 (and 13 points to 4). 

The Isles are 6-1-1 while Buffalo is 2-6-0.

The Isles went 4-0-0 at the Coliseum vs. Buffalo and 2-1-1 on the road.  The Isles are 9-1-1 in their last 11 games with the Sabres.

UP NEXT

THURSDAY, MAY 6th  –NEW JERSEY AT ISLANDERS 7:00pm

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

The Isles return home for the final regular season games scheduled to be played at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum as they entertain the Devils for a pair of games beginning on Thursday.

The Isles are 45-18-8 at the Coliseum since returning home in December 2019.

After splitting a pair of games in January, the Isles won all four games from the Devils in March to grab a 5-1 lead in the season series.

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

The Skinny: Buffalo 4, Isles 2

"The Skinny"      

By Eric Hornick

Game 52

Buffalo 4, Isles 2

It was a tale of two games as Semyon Varlamov extended his shutout streak to 248:00 as the Isles built a 2-0 lead, only to have the Isles allow four straight goals for a 4-2 loss to the Buffalo Sabres at KeyBank Center.

Adam Pelech and Oliver Wahlstrom scored for the Isles before they allowed their first goal as a team in a franchise-record 212:35 to Tage Thompson on the power play.  Sam Reinhart scored twice (the latter into an empty net) and added an assist in the third period to earn Michael Houser a win in his NHL debut.

The Isles fall to 4th place in the East Division, four points behind Washington and Pittsburgh and one point behind Boston. The Isles and Caps have four games to play while Pittsburgh has three and Boston has five games remaining.

 

The Scoring:

1st Period

Adam Pelech (4) Josh Bailey (25), Anthony Beauvillier (11) 09:15 NYI 1,BUF 0

2nd Period

Oliver Wahlstrom (11) Adam Pelech (9), Kyle Palmieri (11) 10:42 NYI 2,BUF 0

Tage Thompson (7) Jacob Bryson (8), Rasmus Ristolainen (11) 14:04 NYI 2,BUF 1 PPG

3rd Period

Rasmus Asplund (7) Sam Reinhart (15), Tage Thompson (5) 11:25 NYI 2,BUF 2

Sam Reinhart (24) Rasmus Ristolainen (12) 15:56 NYI 2,BUF 3

Sam Reinhart (25)EN 19:08 NYI 2,BUF 4 

The Skinny        

The Isles are 12-10-1 since the end of their 9-game win streak (and 12-game point streak) … The Isles had killed 32 of the last 33 opponent power plays before Tage Thompson's goal…It is the first time since April 1st that the team that scored in an Islander game but lost ….The Isles have only five regulation wins in the last 20 games (three vs. the Rangers)… Anthony Beauvillier and Josh Bailey each extended their point streak to three games. ….Brock Nelson become the 16th Islander skater to play 600 games… Ryan Pulock passed John Tavares for the 8th-consecutive game streak in club history (247)…Varlamov's shutout streak ended at 248:00, breaking a club record of 178:29 set by Chico Resch in 1975; Varlamov's shutout streak is the third-longest in the expansion era...Despite the three goals allowed, he still has the lowest goals against (2.02) and highest save percentage (.9298) for a season for any goalie in Islander history… Despite the four Buffalo goals, the Isles took over the lead in the Jennings race (2.269 vs Vegas' 2.275)…Ilya Samsonov was the last goalie to debut against the Isles; he defeated the Isles 2-1 in last season's opener…Leo Komarov took two minor penalties; he had taken only two penalties (one major, one minor) in his first 30 appearances this season 

Longest Shutout Streaks in Isles History (Goalie)

1. Semyon Varlamov 2020-21 248:00

2. Glenn Resch 1975-76 178:29

3. Robin Lehner 2018-19 177:43

4. Ron Hextall 1993-94  176:46

5. Wade Flaherty 1997-98 169:14

Longest Shutout Streaks in Isles History (Team)

1. 2020-21 212:35

2. 1997-78 199:14

3. 2014-15 193:48

4. 2016-17 166:44

5. 2011-12 159:11

First Times in a Long Time 

The Isles lost in regulation after scoring first for the first time since January 28th in Washington; the Isles lost in regulation after leading through two periods for the first time since January 18, 2020, also vs. Washington.

The Playoff (Positioning) Chase  (all have clinched berth)

X -Washington 71 points (4 to play)

X-Pittsburgh 71 points (3 to play)

X -Boston 68 points (5 to play)

X-ISLES 67 points (4 to play)

Remaining Schedule:

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

• Wednesday- WAS @ NYR

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

• Friday – PHI @ WAS 

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

• Sunday, May 9th – Happy Mother's Day (no games)

• Monday, May 10th – Isles @ BOS, NJ @ PHI

• Tuesday, May 11th – BOS @ WAS

Race for the Jennings (includes shootout losers)

1. Isles  118 goals allowed in 52 games  2.269

2. Vegas  116 goals allowed in 51 games  2.275

3. Carolina 123 goals allowed in 52 games 2.37

4. Boston  123 goals allowed in 51 games  2.41

Most Shutouts in a Season

• 11 2018-19 (82-game schedule)

• 10  2020-21 (56-game schedule)

• 10 1975-76 (80-game schedule)

The Isles will earn a shutout in at least 17.9% of their games this season, breaking the previous record (13.4% in 2018-19).

Varly Solid

Semyon Varlamov is 12-6-2 in his last twenty decisions, allowing just 40 goals in that span.  Varly has won 19 games this season with a goals against average of 2.02 and save percentage of .930.  Varlamov has 251 NHL wins (passing Johnny Bower for 61st) and 34 shutouts, including an NHL-leading seven  this season.

Most Shutouts by an Islander Goalie (one season):

1. Semyon Varlamov 7 (2020-21)

        Chico Resch 7 (1975-76)

Lowest Goals Against by an Islander Goalie (one season) (minimum 1000 minutes):

1. Semyon Varlamov 2.02 (2020-21)

2. Chico Resch 2.08 (1975-76)

3. Robin Lehner 2.13 (2018-19)

4. Ilya Sorokin 2.19 (2020-21)

Highest Save Percentage by an Islander Goalie (one season) (minimum 1000 minutes):

1. Semyon Varlamov .9298 (2020-21)

2. Robin Lehner .9297 (2018-19)

3. Chico Resch .928 (1975-76)

4. Thomas Greiss .927 (2018-191)

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; Sorokin turns 26 this summer so he will not have rookie status next season) 

Home Sweet Home

The Isles have earned points in 23 of their first 26 home games (20-3-3); it is their best home record through 26 games in the Post-Cup Era:

Most Points at Home Through 26 Games

• 44 1977-78 (20-2-4)

• 44 1980-81 (21-3-2)

• 43 1978-79 (19-2-5)

• 43 2020-21 (20-3-3)

Top of the Chart

The Isles now have 67 points in 52 games; it is one point behind last season for the most points through 52 games in the Post-Cup era:

• 68 2019-20

• 67 2014-15

• 67 2020-21

• 66 2018-19

Solid D

The Isles have allowed only 118 goals (including 2 shootout winners) in 52 games; it is the fewest goals that they have allowed through 52 games in their history:

• 118 (2020-21)

• 127 (1975-76)

• 128 (1977-78)

• 128 (2018-19)

• 129 (2003-04)

• 130 (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-L Remaining games: 2  (0 home, 1 away)

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

• Rangers         W-L-W-L-Wot-W-W-W Remaining games: 0

• 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 31-16-5 overall; they are 20-3-3 at home and 11-13-2 on the road.

Buffalo is 14-32-7 overall; they are 7-16-4 at home and 7-16-3 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 876-634-60-156 in 1,726 games. 

Most Coaching Wins

1. Scotty Bowman  1,244

2. Joel Quenneville  960

3. Barry Trotz    876

Most Games Coached

1. Scotty Bowman   2,141

2. Joel Quenneville 1,759

3. Barry Trotz        1,726

Sweet Lou

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

1. David Poile 1,444

2. Lou Lamoriello 1,325

3. Glen Sather 1,319

It All Starts at the Top

Lou Lamoriello and Barry Trotz have 2,201 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 22-2-2 when scoring first and are 9-14-3 when allowing the opening goal. 

• At home, Isles are 14-0-2 scoring first and 6-3-1 trailing first

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

The Isles have won 84.6% of the games that they have scored first, which is the highest percentage in the NHL (just behind Edmonton - .875 and Vegas - .871).   

The Shots

Isles    11-10-15=36

Buffalo    9-14-17=40

The Isles are 19-5-2 when they outshoot their opponents, 1-1-0 when the shots are even and 11-10-3 when they are outshot.  Under Barry Trotz, the Isles are 64-35-13 when outshot.

In the Nets

Semyon Varlamov made 36 saves but falls to 19-10-4 on the season and 12-3-1 in his career against the Buffalo.

Michael Houser made 34 saves to win his NHL debut.  Houser is the oldest goalie to ever debut against the Isles. 

Special Teams

The Isles were 0-1 on the power play (2:00); the Buffalo were 1-3 on the power play (5:32). 

The Isles are 13-5-3 when they score at least one power play goal and 18-11-2 when they do not.  The Isles are 6-10-2 when they allow at least one power play goal and 25-6-3 when they do not.

Three is a Magic Number

The Isles are 23-4-3 when they score at least three goals (including shootout winners) and are 8-12-2 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 0-1 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

Including tonight, the Isles are 4-2-2 in the front-half and 4-2-1 in the back-half. The final back-to-back of the season concludes in Buffalo on Tuesday.

 

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: 20-8-3 (.694).

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 4-6-2 in the first game and 4-6-1 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/W), BUF (L/-)

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)

Ice-time Leaders

Isles: Ryan Pulock (22:41); Buffalo: Rasmus Dahlin (23:34)

Brock Nelson led Isles forwards with 19:54 of ice-time. 

Isles record by ice-time leaders: Nick Leddy (9-5-1), Ryan Pulock (16-8-3), Scott Mayfield (1-1-0), Mathew Barzal (1-1-1), Adam Pelech (4-1-0).

Face-offs

Isles 30, Buffalo 26 (54%)

Casey Cizikas won 9 of 13 for the Isles; Sam Reinhart won 12 of 20 for Buffalo.

The Isles are 19-9-2 when they win more face-offs than the opposition, 0-4-1 when they are tied, and 12-5-1 when they win fewer.

Hit Count

Isles 20 (Cal Clutterbuck and Casey Cizikas -4)

Buffalo 13 (William Borgen -5)

Fights 

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

 

Blocked Shots

Isles 4 (Ryan Pulock -2)

Buffalo 15 (Sam Reinhart -4)

For the Analytics Crowd 

Corsi: All situations: Isles 59, Buffalo 53

Corsi: 5-on-5: Isles 49, Buffalo 42

5-on-5 leaders:

Isles:  Brock Nelson +12

Buffalo: Rasmus Ristolainen +8

High Danger Scoring Chances (per Natural Stat Trick)

All situations: Isles 12, Buffalo 7

5-on-5: Isles 8, Buffalo 7

Scratches

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

Games Lost: 58

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 thirteen players in the NHL whose streak began no later than the start of the 2017-18 season.   

Ironman Streaks: Brock Nelson 297, Mathew Barzal 284, Ryan Pulock 247.  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 the 3rd -longest in club history); Mathew Barzal is tied-5th on this list while Ryan Pulock is 8th:

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 297

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

5. Mathew Barzal 10/6/2017- CURRENT 284

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

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

8. Ryan Pulock 12/29/2017 – CURRENT 247

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

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: 2 successful, 1 failure (goalie interference 1/14 @ NYR, no goalie interference 3/11 vs NJ, goalie interference 5/3 @ BUF)

The Isles are 1-0-0 in games where opponents' challenges go their way and 1-1-0 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 915…

13. Stefan Persson 622 *** 14. Matt Martin 612 *** 15. Frans Nielsen 606 *** 16. Brock Nelson 600 *** 17. Kenny Jonsson 597 *** 18. Garry Howatt 596 *** 19. John Tonelli 594 *** 20. Casey Cizikas 586 … 

27. Kyle Okposo 529 *** 28. Cal Clutterbuck 525 *** 29.  Anders Lee 520 *** 30. Dave Lewis and Nick Leddy 514

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 347 …

17.  Kyle Okposo and Frans Nielsen 230 *** 19.Nick Leddy 196

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 509…

20. Ziggy Palffy 331 *** 21. Brock Nelson 324 ***  22. Anders Lee 320

Games Coached 

1. Al Arbour 1,500 *** 2. Jack Capuano 483 *** 3. Barry Trotz 202

 

Coaching Wins

1. Al Arbour 740 *** 2. Jack Capuano 227 *** 3. Barry Trotz 114

On the Farm

Bridgeport is 8-13-2-0 on the season (4-6-1-0 vs. Hartford and 4-7-1-0 vs. Providence) following a 4-3 shootout win over the Bruins in the home finale at Harbor Yard. Cole Bardreau extended his point streak to seven games with his 10th goal of the season; he later added an assist.  Otto Koivula had the deciding goal in the shootout to make a winner out of Jakub Skarek as the Sound Tigers extended their point streak to six games (5-0-1).  

Bridgeport concludes the season on Tuesday afternoon in Hartford.

Season Series Stats

The Isles lead the season series 6 games to 1 (and 12 points to 2). 

The Isles are 6-1-0 while Buffalo is 1-6-0.

The Isles are 4-0-0 at the Coliseum vs. Buffalo and 2-1-0 on the road.  The loss today ended an Islander nine-game winning streak against Buffalo.

UP NEXT

TUESDAY, MAY 4th  –ISLANDERS AT BUFFALO 7:00pm

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

The Isles play the back-end of their final back-to-back of the season as they again face the Sabres in the penultimate road game of the season.

Tuesday is May 4th – known informally as "Star Wars Day" so the Isles hope the force will be with them as they look to split the two games in Western New York.  

The regular season has never before gone this late into May; this will be the Isles' first May 4th game since 1993 (game 2 vs. Pittsburgh).

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

The Skinny on All Those Shutouts

With Semyon Varlamov's trifecta of shutouts, the Isles now have 10 on the season, just one shy of the club record set in an 82-game schedule two seasons ago.

However, given this season is 26 games shorter, the Isles have already established a team record for percentage of games ending in a shutout. 

That leads to the question, where does this fall all-time?  The short answer is - pretty, pretty, pretty good.

In the expansion era, the record is 19.74 percentage of games, held by the 1971-72 Blackhawks.  

Here are the top 5 of the expansion era:

Team	Season	Shutouts	Games	Percentage
Chicago	1969-1970	15	76	19.74%
St. Louis	2011-2012	15	82	18.29%
Chicago	1971-1972	14	78	17.95%
Montreal	1976-1977	14	80	17.50%
New Jersey	2003-2004	14	82	17.07%

Where does this year's Islander team fit in?

Right now the Isles have recorded 10 shutouts in 51 games (19.61%); they are guaranteed to have a shutout in 17.86% of their 56 games (4th in the expansion era).  If they would record one shutout in the final five games, they would finish at 19.64% (2nd in the expansion era); they would need two shutouts in the final five to establish an NHL record for the expansion era.

The all-time record, by the way, is held up by 1928-29 Canadiens, who recorded 22 shutouts in 44 games (50%).  Following that season, the NHL instituted a major rule change to allow forward passes in the offensive zone.

What about Varlamov you might ask?  Among goalies with at least seven shutouts, only Tony Esposito and Brian Elliott have had a season where they recorded a shutout in as high of a percentage of appearances as Varly:

Player	Team	Season	GP	SO	Percentage
Tony Esposito	Chicago	1969-70	63	15	23.8%
Brian Elliott	St. Louis	2011-12	38	9	23.7%
Semyon Varlamov	ISLES	2020-21	33	7	21.2%
Glenn Hall	St. Louis	1968-69	41	8	19.5%
Cristobal Huet	Montreal	2005-06	36	7	19.4%
Harry Lumley	Toronto	1953-54	69	13	18.8%
Tony Esposito	Chicago	1971-72	48	9	18.8%

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

The Skinny: Isles 3, Rangers 0 - Isles Clinch Playoff Spot!

"The Skinny"      

By Eric Hornick

Game 51

Isles 3, Rangers 0

The Islanders are headed to the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the third straight season!

Semyon Varlamov made 28 saves for his third consecutive shutout and Anthony Beauvillier scored twice as the Islanders completed a whitewash of the home-and-home series with a 3-0 blanking of the Rangers before a socially-distanced crowd of 1,400 at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum. 

Mathew Barzal scored on a breakaway for the Isles, while Josh Bailey matched a career high with three assists as the Islanders clinched a post in the playoffs beyond Varlamov's 7th shutout of the season (and 4th against the Rangers).

The Isles remain in 3rd place in the East Division, four points behind Pittsburgh and two points behind Washington. The Isles and Caps have five games to play while Pittsburgh has four. Boston is just one point behind the Isles; the Bruins have six games to play and will clinch the final playoff spot in the division if they earn one more point. 

 

The Scoring:

1st Period

Anthony Beauvillier (12) Josh Bailey (22), Nick Leddy (27) 04:39 NYR 0,NYI 1

Mathew Barzal (15) Josh Bailey (23) 16:22 NYR 0,NYI 2

2nd Period

Anthony Beauvillier (13) Brock Nelson (13), Josh Bailey (24) 01:02 NYR 0,NYI 3

3rd Period

No Goals

The Skinny        

The Isles are 12-9-1 since the end of their 9-game win streak (and 12-game point streak) … The Isles have killed 30 of the last 31 opponent power plays (96.8%) and have scored a shorthanded goal in that span as well; the Isles have also killed 45 of 49 at home this season (91.8%)…The team that scored first has won the last fourteen Islander games and has won all eight Islander-Ranger games this season ….The Isles have only five regulation wins in the last 19 games (three vs. the Rangers)…The Isles have not allowed a goal in 178:31… Anthony Beauvillier is 13-10-23 in 21 games vs. the Rangers; his .62 goals per game is the highest of active player who has faced the Rangers at least 15 times… Mathew Barzal is 7-18-25 in 20 games against the Blueshirts; among active players who have faced the Rangers at least 15 times, only Sidney Crosby (1.28) averages more points per games than Barzal's 1.25…Nick Leddy regained the team lead with his 27th assist….Brock Nelson passed Anders Lee for the 3rd-longest consecutive game streak in club history (296) while Ryan Pulock tied John Tavares for the 8th-longest streak (246); it was also Nelson's 599th game as an Islander… Nelson will become the 16th Islander skater to appear in 600 games with his next appearance…Josh Bailey matched his career high as he recorded his 10th three-assist game…Semyon Varlamov leads the NHL with a career-high shutouts (7); the Isles lead the league with ten shutouts.

Varly Rewrites the History Books

• First Islander goalie to ever record three consecutive shutouts and the 56th goalie in NHL history to do so.

• His overall shutout streak is now a career-best (and club record) 213:56, breaking a club record set by Chico Resch in 1975. 

• Ties Resch's club record of seven shutouts in one season.

• First opponent to shut out the Rangers four times in a season in the expansion era; Harry Lumley (1952-53 Leafs) and Terry Sawchuk (1954-55 Red Wings) also had four shutouts in a season against the Blueshirts, but each played 14 games against the Rangers in that season.

        First NHL goalie in the expansion era to shut out the same opponent four times in one season.

• It's the first time the Isles have shut out the same opponent four times in a season and the first time the Isles have shut out an opponent in both ends of a home-and-home

• First goalie to have seven shutouts in a season of 56 games or less since Dave Kerr had eight for the Rangers in 1939-1940.  

• Currently has the lowest goals against (1.99) and highest save percentage (.9300) for a season for any goalie in Isles history.

Longest Shutout Streaks in Isles History (Goalie)

1. Semyon Varlamov 2020-21 213:56 (CURRENT)

2. Glenn Resch 1975-76 178:29

3. Robin Lehner 2018-19 177:43

4. Ron Hextall 1993-94  176:46

5. Wade Flaherty 1997-98 169:14

Longest Shutout Streaks in Isles History (Team)

1. 1997-78 199:14

2. 2014-15 193:48

3. 2020-21 178:31 (CURRENT)

4. 2016-17 166:44

5. 2011-12 159:11

First Times in a Long Time 

• There were only 35 face-offs, fewest in an Islander game since April 7, 2001  (34 in season finale vs Boston). As a result, the game was played in only 2 hours and 11 minutes.

• This was the first game in May between the teams since May 5, 1981, when the Isles completed a sweep of their semi-final series.

• This was only the second regular season game the Isles had played in May; the other was on May 2, 1995.

The Playoff Chase  (top 4 make playoffs)

X-Pittsburgh 71 points (4 to play)

X -Washington 69 points (5 to play)

X-ISLES      67 points (5 to play)

Boston 66 points (6 to play)

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

Rangers         58 points (4 to play)

Remaining Schedule:

• 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

• Friday – PHI @ WAS 

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

• Sunday, May 9th – Happy Mother's Day (no games)

• Monday, May 10th – Isles @ BOS, NJ @ PHI

• Tuesday, May 11th – BOS @ WAS

Race for the Jennings(includes shootout losers)

1. Vegas  110 goals allowed in 50 games  2.20

2. Isles  114 goals allowed in 51 games  2.24

3. Carolina 121 goals allowed in 51 games 2.37

4. Colorado 120 goals allowed in 49 games 2.45

5. Boston  123 goals allowed in 50 games  2.46

Most Shutouts in a Season

• 11 2018-19 (82-game schedule)

• 10  2020-21 (56-game schedule)

• 10 1975-76 (80-game schedule)

The Isles will earn a shutout in at least 17.91% of their games this season, breaking the previous record (13.4% in 2018-19).

Varly Solid

Semyon Varlamov is 12-5-2 in his last nineteen decisions, allowing just 37 goals in that span.  Varly has won 19 games this season with a goals against average of 1.99 and save percentage of .930.  Varlamov has 2510 NHL wins (passing Johnny Bower for 61st) and 34 shutouts, including an NHL-leading seven  this season.

Most Shutouts by an Islander Goalie (one season):

1. Semyon Varlamov 7 (2020-21)

        Chico Resch 7 (1975-76)

Lowest Goals Against by an Islander Goalie (one season) (minimum 1000 minutes):

1. Semyon Varlamov 1.99 (2020-21)

2. Chico Resch 2.08 (1975-76)

3. Robin Lehner 2.13 (2018-19)

4. Ilya Sorokin 2.19 (2020-21)

Highest Save Percentage by an Islander Goalie (one season) (minimum 1000 minutes):

1. Semyon Varlamov .9300 (2020-21)

2. Robin Lehner .9297 (2018-19)

3. Chico Resch .928 (1975-76)

4. Thomas Greiss .927 (2018-191)

Sorokin's Streaking

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 23 of their first 26 home games (20-3-3); it is their best home record through 26 games in the Post-Cup Era:

Most Points at Home Through 26 Games

• 44 1977-78 (20-2-4)

• 44 1980-81 (21-3-2)

• 43 1978-79 (19-2-5)

• 43 2020-21 (20-3-3)

Top of the Chart

The Isles now have 67 points in 51 games; it matches their highest point total through 51 games in the Post-Cup era:

• 67 2014-15

• 67 2020-21

• 66 2018-19

• 66 2019-20

Solid D

The Isles have allowed only 114 goals (including 2 shootout winners) in 51 games; it is the fewest goals that they have allowed through 51 games in their history:

• 114 (2020-21)

• 123 (1975-76)

• 123 (1977-78)

• 125 (2018-19)

• 127 (1976-77)

• 127 (2003-04)

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-W Remaining games: 0

• 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 31-15-5 overall; they are 20-3-3 at home and 11-12-2 on the road.

The Rangers are 26-20-6 overall; they are 14-9-3 at home and 12-11-3 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 876-633-60-156 in 1,725 games. 

Most Coaching Wins

1. Scotty Bowman  1,244

2. Joel Quenneville  959

3. Barry Trotz    876

Most Games Coached

1. Scotty Bowman   2,141

2. Joel Quenneville 1,758

3. Barry Trotz        1,725

Sweet Lou

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

1. David Poile 1,443 

2. Lou Lamoriello 1,325

3. Glen Sather 1,319

It All Starts at the Top

Lou Lamoriello and Barry Trotz have 2,201 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 22-1-2 when scoring first and are 9-14-3 when allowing the opening goal. 

• At home, Isles are 14-0-2 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 88.0% of the games that they have scored first, which is the highest percentage in the NHL (just ahead of Edmonton - .875 and Vegas - .871).  The Isles are the only team with just one regulation loss when scoring first.

The Shots

Isles    13-8-4=25

Rangers    10-8-10=28

The Isles are 19-5-2 when they outshoot their opponents, 1-1-0 when the shots are even and 11-9-3 when they are outshot.  Under Barry Trotz, the Isles are 64-34-13 when outshot.

In the Nets

Semyon Varlamov made 28 saves to improve to 19-9-4 on the season and 11-6-2 in his career against the Rangers. All four of his career shutouts against the Rangers have come this season.

Alexandar Georgiev made 22 saves but falls to 8-6-2 on the season and 7-3-0 in his career against the Isles. 

Special Teams

The Isles were 0-1 on the power play (2:00); 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 18-10-2 when they do not.  The Isles are 6-9-2 when they allow at least one power play goal and 25-6-3 when they do not.

Three is a Magic Number

The Isles are 23-4-3 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 4-6-1 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/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 25-11-4 when both teams are rested. 

Ice-time Leaders

Isles: Ryan Pulock (21:09); Rangers: Adam Fox (22:30)

Brock Nelson led Isles forwards with 19:27 of ice-time. 

Isles record by ice-time leaders: Nick Leddy (9-5-1), Ryan Pulock (16-7-3), Scott Mayfield (1-1-0), Mathew Barzal (1-1-1), Adam Pelech (4-1-0).

Face-offs

Isles 17, Rangers 18 (49%)

JG Pageau won 4 of 6 for the Isles; Filip Chytil won 4 of 5 for the Rangers.

The Isles are 19-8-2 when they win more face-offs than the opposition, 0-4-1 when they are tied, and 12-5-1 when they win fewer.

Hit Count

Isles 27 (Cal Clutterbuck -7)

Rangers 23 (Three with 4)

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 (Three with 2)

For the Analytics Crowd 

Corsi: All situations: Isles 53, Rangers 56

Corsi: 5-on-5: Isles 50, Rangers 45

5-on-5 leaders:

Isles:  Noah Dobson +9

Rangers: K'Andre Miller +10

High Danger Scoring Chances (per Natural Stat Trick)

All situations: Isles 3, Rangers 4

5-on-5: Isles 2, Rangers 4

Scratches

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

Games Lost: 56

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 thirteen players in the NHL whose streak began no later than the start of the 2017-18 season.   

Ironman Streaks: Brock Nelson 296, Mathew Barzal 283, Ryan Pulock 246.  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 the 3rd -longest in club history); Mathew Barzal is 6th on this list while Ryan Pulock is tied-8th:

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 296

4. 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 283

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

8. Ryan Pulock 12/29/2017 – CURRENT 246

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

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 914…

13. Stefan Persson 622 *** 14. Matt Martin 611 *** 15. Frans Nielsen 606 *** 16. Brock Nelson 599 *** 17. Kenny Jonsson 597 *** 18. Garry Howatt 596 *** 19. John Tonelli 594 *** 20. Casey Cizikas 585 … 

27. Kyle Okposo 529 *** 28. Cal Clutterbuck 524 *** 29.  Anders Lee 520 *** 30. Dave Lewis 514 *** 31.  Nick Leddy 513

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 346 …

17.  Kyle Okposo and Frans Nielsen 230 *** 19.Nick Leddy 196

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 508…

20. Ziggy Palffy 331 *** 21. Brock Nelson 324 ***  22. Anders Lee 320

Games Coached 

1. Al Arbour 1,500 *** 2. Jack Capuano 483 *** 3. Barry Trotz 201

 

Coaching Wins

1. Al Arbour 740 *** 2. Jack Capuano 227 *** 3. Barry Trotz 114

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) and have earned at least a point in each their last five games (4-0-1).  

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

Season Series Stats

The Isles win the season series 6 games to 2 (and 12 points to 5). 

The Isles are 6-2-0 while the Rangers are 2-5-1.

The Isles are 3-1-0 at the Coliseum vs. the Rangers and 3-1-0 at the Garden. The six wins against the Rangers matches the club record, set in 1981-82.

Over the last six seasons, the Isles are 20-7-1 against the Rangers (10-3-1 at home(s), 10-4-0 on the road).

This was the final Islander-Ranger games to be contested at the Coliseum.  The Isles went 67-51-8-5 in the regular season and 10-9 in the playoffs against the Rangers at the Coli.

UP NEXT

MONDAY, MAY 3rd  –ISLANDERS AT BUFFALO 7:00pm

[MSG+2 [pre-game at 6:30], WRHU 88.7 FM, WRCN 103.9FM, WNYM 970]

The Isles head to Buffalo for their final back-to-back of the season as they face the Sabres on both Monday and Tuesday.

The Isles will be looking to continue their season-long success against the Sabres, having won each of the first six meetings of the season by a combined score of 24-9.  However, the Sabres have played much better under interim coach Don Granato, who will be facing the Isles for the first time.

The Isles have won nine straight games from Buffalo, including three straight in Western New York.

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

The Isles have killed 30 of the last 31 opponent power plays (96.8%) and have scored a shorthanded goal in that span as well; the Isles have also killed 45 of 49 at home this season (91.8%)…