Chateau bowwow

According to official statistics, Alexei Yashin did not play after his third period penalty. The penalty led to Ottawa's tying goal at 4:06 of the third period. Arron Asham did not see the ice in the first half of the third period after taking a coincidental penalty late in the second period.

NYI: Sad but true

For the second time this week, the Islanders lost in regulation time a game that they led heading to the third period. Their previous losses [in regulation] after leading after two periods came on: December 21, 2002 [Washington] and January 6, 2001 [Phoenix]. Thus, the Isles have gone pointless in two games they led after two periods in a three game stretch after having only done that once in the previous 322 games. The Isles have lost three games in the last five weeks that they led after two periods [counting their shootout loss on November 23 to Buffalo] That's three times in sixteen games after having lost only three times in the previous 309 games. [In addition to the games above, they lost in overtime to Pittsburgh on January 24, 2002.] The Isles finish December 5-6-1; it's their first losing December since 2001. They are below .500 at New Year's for the first time since 2000. It's only the second time in Islander history that they've ended December with a losing streak of at least 4 games. In 1997, the Rick Bowness-led Isles lost the final five games, and then book-ended it by losing the first five games of 1998. By early March of that season, Bowness was history too. Happy New Year to all!

It's been a long time since the Isles allowed this many goals...

The Isles have earned 0 points in the standings over three straight games for the first time in over a season, [7 straight in Nov/Dec 2003] and have allowed alot of goals doing so. [They lost four straight March, 2004, but one of those losses were in overtime] Tonight marked the fifth time this season and the tenth times in the Stirling regime that they have lost by at least four goals. Isles have allowed 27 goals in five games. It's the first time since Feb-Mar 1996 that they've allowed at least 27: 27-Feb-96 Vs Detroit 2 6 L 29-Feb-96 @ Detroit 1 5 L 1-Mar-96 @ New Jersey 2 6 L 3-Mar-96 Vs Winnipeg 5 7 L 5-Mar-96 Vs Boston 5 3 W

They haven't allowed more than 27 in a 5-game period since 1991-92: [28] 26-Dec-91 VsNew Jersey 5 5 T 28-Dec-91 Vs New York 5 4 W 29-Dec-91 @ Hartford 4 6 L 1-Jan-92 @ Washington 5 8 L 3-Jan-92 @ Buffalo2 5 L

Isles have allowed 31 goals in six games. It's the first time since Feb-March 1996 that they've allowed at least 31: 27-Feb-96 Vs Detroit 2 6 L 29-Feb-96 @ Detroit 1 5 L 1-Mar-96 @ New Jersey 2 6 L 3-Mar-96 Vs Winnipeg 5 7 L 5-Mar-96 Vs Boston 5 3 W 7-Mar-96 @ Boston 3 4 L They last allowed more than 31 over six during their last playoff-series winning season: [32] 7-Nov-92 Vs Tampa Bay 5 6 Lot 12-Nov-92 @ Philadelphia 5 8 L 14-Nov-92 Vs Buffalo 7 5 W 19-Nov-92 @ Boston 2 5 L 21-Nov-92 @ Calgary 4 3 W 22-Nov-92 @ Edmonton 5 5 T

They've allowed 35 in last 7 games -- first time since 1992-93: 12-Nov-92 @ Philadelphia 5 8 L 14-Nov-92 Vs Buffalo 7 5 W 19-Nov-92 @ Boston 2 5 L 21-Nov-92 @ Calgary 4 3 W 22-Nov-92 @ Edmonton 5 5 T 24-Nov-92 @ Winnipeg 3 3 T 27-Nov-92 @ Philadelphia 3 6 L They last allowed more goals in 7 games [38] in 1991-92 21-Dec-91 @ St. Louis 2 6 L 23-Dec-91 Vs Pittsburgh 3 6 L 26-Dec-91 VsNew Jersey 5 5 T 28-Dec-91 Vs New York 5 4 W 29-Dec-91 @ Hartford 4 6 L 1-Jan-92 @ Washington 5 8 L 3-Jan-92 @ Buffalo2 5 L

As bad as it's been, it's been worse: All-time Islander records: ----------------------------------- Most goals allowed --5 game stretch: 33 [in the first five road games in Islander history] 29-Oct-72 @ Boston 1 9 1-Nov-72 @ California 6 2 3-Nov-72 @ Vancouver 2 7 4-Nov-72 @ Los Angeles 2 9 8-Nov-72 @ Chicago 1 6 Most goals allowed --6 game stretch: 37, also in 1972-73 28-Oct-72 Vs Chicago 4 4 29-Oct-72 @ Boston 1 9 1-Nov-72 @ California 6 2 3-Nov-72 @ Vancouver 2 7 4-Nov-72 @ Los Angeles 2 9 8-Nov-72 @ Chicago 1 6

Most goals allowed --7 game stretch: 43 [twice in 1972-73] 29-Oct-72 @ Boston 1 9 1-Nov-72 @ California 6 2 3-Nov-72 @ Vancouver 2 7 4-Nov-72 @ Los Angeles 2 9 8-Nov-72 @ Chicago 1 6 11-Nov-72 @ Minnesota 0 3 14-Nov-72 Vs Montreal 2 7

and 3-Nov-72 @ Vancouver 2 7 4-Nov-72 @ Los Angeles 2 9 8-Nov-72 @ Chicago 1 6 11-Nov-72 @ Minnesota 0 3 14-Nov-72 Vs Montreal 2 7 16-Nov-72 @ Atlanta 0 4 18-Nov-72 Vs Boston 3 7

Assault on the record books

The Isles’ 9-6 loss in Toronto tonight produced a number of notations for the Islander record book: 

• 2 players with their first NHL/NYI goal: Godard and Collins 
• 3 PP goals in the first period –tying the club record set ten previous times, but not since 1996 
• 2 SH goals allowed in the second period-- tying the club record set three previous times, but not since 1996 
•  The eight first period goals were one short of the combined two-team record – 9 done on March 12, 1985 against St. Louis (2nd period) and November 23, 1988 against Washington (also 2nd period).
•  The Isles allowed at least seven goals for the first time since December 23, 2000 vs. Columbus 
• The Isles allowed at least eight goals for the first time since March 24, 2000 vs. New Jersey [ironically the night Larry Robinson became the Devils head coach for the first time] 
• The Isles allowed at least nine goals for the first time since December 30, 1999 at Pittsburgh [9-3 loss] 
• The Isles allowed at least seven goals on the road for the first time since December 30, 1999 at Pittsburgh [9-3 loss] 
• The Isles allowed at least eight goals on the road for the first time since December 30, 1999 at Pittsburgh [9-3 loss] 
•  The Isles allowed at least nine goals on the road for the first time since December 30, 1999 at Pittsburgh [9-3 loss] 
•  The teams combined for at least eleven goals for the first time since March 25, 2003 at Chicago [9-2 win] 
• The teams combined for at least twelve goals for the first time since January 3, 2003 at Boston [8-4 win] 
• The teams combined for at least thirteen goals for the first time since February 28, 1993 at Hartford [7-6 ot win] 
• The teams combined for at least fourteen goals for the first time since December 10, 1991 at St. Louis [7-7 tie]
• The teams combined for at least fifteen goals for the first time since April 6, 1986 at New Jersey [9-7 loss] 
• The Isles scored at least five goals and lost for the first time since December 23, 2000 vs. Columbus [7-5 loss], ending a 52-game unbeaten streak when scoring at least five [50-0-2] 
• The Isles scored at least six goals and lost for the first time since October 15, 1991 vs. Pittsburgh [7-6 ot loss], ending a 76-game unbeaten streak when scoring at least five [74-0-2] 
•  The Isles scored at least six goals on the road and lost for the first time since November 23, 1988 vs. Washington [7-6 loss]. It’s only the sixth time in Isles history that they’ve scored at least six goals in a road loss.

Trivia/Road Warriors

Who was the last Islander to record a six-point game? Pat LaFontaine -- February 6, 1990 @ Pittsburgh [3 goals, 3 assists in the only 8-7 game the Islanders have ever played -- Don Maloney won it in overtime] _______________________________________________ Road Warriors: The Isles now have 18 points [in 16 games] on the road and 11 points [in 11 games] at home. It's only the second time since 83-84 [the "Drive for Five" season] that the Isles have this many points through 16 road games -- they had 20 in Laviolette's first season. They've won four straight on the road for the first time since they opened the 2001-02 season 6-0 on the road. If the Isles win in Columbus, they'll have 9 more points on the road than at home for only the second time in their history -- In 2001-02, they opened with 4 road wins, lost in OT at home to Detroit and then won in Carolina -- to give them 10 points on the road and only one at home.

By the Numbers: Isles 4, Philadelphia 2

By the Numbers #10 -11/26/05 Some notes By the Numbers from the Isles’ 4-2 win in Philadelphia:

3 goals for Jason Blake. It’s the third hat trick of his career; he also had one against Minnesota in 2004 and Atlanta in 2003. Mark Parrish is the only other current Islander with at least three hat tricks in an Islander uniform.

:31 was all it took for Blake to score the game’s first goal

2 goals for RJ Umberger, both scored in the first period for Philadelphia. Umberger had only one goal in 12 previous NHL games.

1 game-winning goal for Brad Lukowich as he scores his first goal as an Islander and first in 29 games. It was the 16th career goal for Lukowich.

200 points as an Islander for Alexei Yashin, who assisted on the first goal

0-3 – the Isles were shorthanded only three times and two of them were shortened due to Flyer penalties. The Isles killed all three penalties. It was the fewest power plays that the Isles had allowed in any game this season. 1-4 Blake’s second goal was the only one on the power play for the Isles. 5 assists in two games for Mark Parrish, who assisted on the final three goals. It’s the first time in his NHL career that he has had three assists in a game. Parrish had only three assists before Thanksgiving. 9-10 the Isles are 6-3-1 in their last 10 and with a little luck and a clutch goal here and there, could be 9-1. 43:32 the Isles held Philly off the boards for the final two periods – a welcome respite from the late third period goals that the Isles have allowed recently.

19,780 in attendance at Wachovia Center. The Flyers have sold out all but one home game this season.

19-40! [ok, 19-41] – the Isles’ awful record on draws. Mike York took 24 face-offs, and lost 20 of them. Michal Handzus was the bully in the face-off circle, winning 19 of 24.

11 forwards and 7 defensemen dressed for the Islanders. Tomi Pettinen was back in the lineup and played 6:10. Jeremy Colliton was not only out of the lineup; he was off the team—sent back to Bridgeport. He played in the Sound Tigers’ game in Philly on Saturday night and scored a goal—but Bridgeport allowed a 5-on-3 goal in overtime to lose 4-3.

37-24 A winning day on draws for the Isles

+2 x 4 Zhitnik and Sopel for the Isles; Umberger and Sim for the Flyers -2 Sami Kapanen

6:23 Ice-time for Eric Godard, a season high. 3:02 Ice-time for Oleg Kvasha, who suffered an ankle injury

21 shots on goal for the Isles, the fewest in a road game this season, makes for a slow day for Antero Niittymaki. 5 of those shots came from Jason Blake

36 shots for Philadelphia – including four each in the third period for Kim Johnsson and Simon Gagne. Gagne finished with six shots.

34 saves for Garth Snow, who is now 6-9-1 against the Flyers for his career.

12-11-1 The Isles climb back over NHL .500.

7-7-0 The Isles reach .500 on the road for the first time since they were 2-2-0. They haven’t been at .500 on the road this late in a season since the end of the 2002-03 season.

7-5-1 the Islanders’ record in November with one game to play; they’ve clinched only their second winning November since going 6-5-2 in 1990.

7 November wins for the Isles; the most they’ve won since they won 9 for Terry Simpson in 1987.

5 November road wins for the Isles; the most November road games they’ve won since they won 6 while defending their first Stanley Cup championship in 1980.

63 games with a point [54-0-9] when the Isles have led after two periods, dating back to December of 2002. [Includes eight ties and a shootout loss]

4 straight home losses for the Flyers [including two in overtime]

1 missing superstar: Peter Forsberg, held out with a minor groin injury. The Flyers are also missing Captain Keith Primeau.

14 points on the road, compared to 11 at home. It’s the first time since the 2001-02 season that the Isles have had at least three more points on the road than at home this late in the season. [The Isles have played four more road games than home games]

Finally—

Take this number with a grain of salt—remembering that there are more points awarded per game this season than any year in NHL history.

25 in 24. The Isles have 25 points in their first 24 games. Only once in the last 17 seasons have the Isles had more points through 24 games [they had 34 points in 24 games in 2001-02].

On the Farm: Phialadelphia 4 – Bridgeport 3. [ot] Before over 8,000 at the Wachovia Center, the Sound Tigers blew 2-0 and 3-1 leads. Travis Brigley, Jeremy Colliton and Bruno Gervais scored for Bridgeport.

The streaky Sound Tigers have lost six straight, totally undoing [with the exception of tonight’s OT point] the six game win streak that immediately preceded it.

Up Next: Philadelphia at Isles. Tuesday 7pm. The Islanders and Flyers meet for the fourth time this season – but the first time on Long Island. The Isles will be looking to sweep a home and home from the Flyers for the first time since 1982. [Bryan Trottier scored a hat trick in the Philly-end of that home-and-home, the only one the Isles had ever had in Philly before today] Howie and Joe will have the game on FSN-NY; John and Chris will cover it for Bloomberg 1130.

By the Numbers: Ottawa 6, Isles 2

By the Numbers #9 -11/25/05 Some notes By the Numbers from the Isles’ 6-2 loss to Ottawa:

20 games to start the season with a point for Dany Heatley. His 16th goal of the season opened the scoring; Heatley is now three games shy of the NHL record [23] for consecutive games with a point after joining a new team. The record is held by Wayne Gretzky.

218-84 Alexei Yashin’s goals as a Senator and Islander respectively. He tied the game in the first period.

199 points as an Islander for the aforementioned Yashin.

4 goals for 4 Senators who had combined for 4 NHL goals this season prior to today: Varada and Hamel each scored their first goal of the season, Eaves scores his 2nd, and Schaefer scored his first.

35 points for Jason Spezza, who had a goal and an assist for Ottawa. He had only 76 points in 111 games over his first two NHL seasons. He’s on a pace for 144 this season.

3 goals on the season for Alexei Zhitnik, whose first goal in nearly a month got the Isles within 3-2 before Ottawa opened the game back up.

3x2, 3x3 – for the second time against the Senators, and the third time overall, the Islanders allowed three power play goals in a game.

5-38 the Senators lack of power play success in between their three-goal outbursts against the Isles.

5-5 not the scoring you’d expect next to Mark Parrish’s name 23 games into the new NHL. Parrish had two assists. 8 after eight games in which the Isles went 5-2-1 and had a chance to go 8-0-0, they were clearly outclassed by the Sens.

17-3-0 Ottawa’s record through 20 games.

18 the most games the Sens won in any of their first four seasons in the NHL.

14-3-3 The best record the Isles ever managed through 20 games [in both 1976-77 and 1978-79].

24-3-8 Ottawa’s record in the last 35 games against the Isles.

14-1-0 The Sens’ record when scoring first

19:06 time of Denis Hamel’s third period goal – that makes ten times [plus three empty nets] that the Isles have been scored on in the final three minutes.

10:17 The amount of power play time for the Islanders, who scored once in 6 chances. Buffalo had 9:42 of pp time and went 3-6.

6-0-0 The Isles record this month when Shawn Bates scores a goal 0-5-1 The Isles record this month when Bates doesn’t score

2 This was the second game Bates missed due to his injury 12/26 Projected return date if Bates misses five weeks

3 key Senators missed the game: Redden and Havlat, due to injuries, and Chris Neil, due to the tragic death of his mom.

4-10 Face-off record for Jeremy Colliton, who played 7:42 in his second NHL game.

15,654 in attendance for stick day. It’s the third largest crowd of the ten home games.

10 starts in 11 games for Rick DiPietro, who played in his 100th NHL game.

300 NHL games for Arron Asham, who was miked by FSN-New York for the occasion.

37-34 A winning day on draws for the Isles.

-2 x 4 Blake, Kvasha, Hunter and Sopel

29:41 Ice-time for Zdeno Chara 25:10 Ice-time for Mike Fisher. Quick, somebody tell Bryan Murray that he’s a forward! 33 shots on goal for the Isles 7 of those shots came from Jason Blake

45 shots for Ottawa –the most against DiPietro this season [and one shy of the most he’s faced in his career].

6x6 The Sens hit the “Chili” number for the sixth time this season [Those under 30: see Isles-Rangers 11-13-1979 for complete explanation].

6 the Isles allowed six goals in a home game for the second time this season. They haven’t allowed seven at home since December 23, 2000 when they lost 7-5 to Columbus.

11-11-1 The Isles drop back to NHL .500.

10 By the time the night was over, the Isles had fallen to 10th in the East [behind New Jersey]; they are now four points out of a playoff spot and only five points ahead of the last place Capitals.

6-5-1 the Islanders’ record in November with two games to play; they’ve had only one winning November since going 6-5-2 in 1990.

6 November wins for the Isles; they haven’t won more November games since they won 9 for Terry Simpson in 1987.

6-3 Isles all-time record for home Friday games. This was the first of four Friday home games this season. The Sens return to Long Island for the second Friday home game on December 23rd.

On the Farm: Syracuse 4 – Bridgeport 1. Allan Rourke scored shorthanded for the Sound Tigers’ goal; Masi Marjamaki was stopped on a penalty shot. The streaky Sound Tigers have lost five straight for the second time this season – the two streaks are separated by a six-game winning streak.

Up Next: Isles at Philadelphia. Saturday 2pm. The Islanders and Flyers meet for the third time this season – in a schedule oddity again in Philadelphia. The Flyers own a pair of home-ice wins over the Isles already this season [5-1 and 3-2]. It’s the first of a home-and-home series that concludes at the Coliseum on Tuesday. Howie and Joe will have the game on FSN-NY; John and Chris will cover it for Bloomberg 1130.