The Skinny: Game 51 - Isles 6, Maple Leafs 5

Game 51
Isles 6, Toronto 5 (OT)
This time it was the Islanders with the overtime goal. Brock Nelson scored the winning goal 2:42 into overtime as the Islanders completed comebacks from 2-1, and 4-2 and 5-4 deficits and defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs 6-5 before a crowd of 11,828 at Barclays Center.
The Isles tied the game twice in the final 6:30 of the third period. Josh Bailey knotted the game at 13:30 of the period and 32 seconds after William Nylander became the fifth Leaf rookie to score in the game, Andrew Ladd forced overtime with a 6th attacker goal at 18:31.
The Islanders earned at least a point in their eighth straight home game under Interim Coach Doug Weight (6-0-2). Toronto is 1-3-1 in their last five games.

The Scoring:1ST PERIOD
01:23 Ryan Strome (8) ASST: Brock Nelson (17), Johnny Boychuk (10) 1-0
13:27 Toronto Nikita Soshnikov (4) ASST: Nikita Zaitsev (21), Morgan Rielly (17) 1-1
14:51 Toronto Auston Matthews (24) ASST: Morgan Rielly (18) 1-2
18:13 Nikolay Kulemin (9) ASST: Casey Cizikas (15), Shane Prince (11) 2-2
2ND PERIOD
05:12 Toronto Mitchell Marner (14) ASST: Tyler Bozak (21), Matt Hunwick (12) 2-3
09:34 Toronto SHG - Zach Hyman (8) ASST: Nikita Zaitsev (22) 2-4
13:48 New York Brock Nelson (12) ASST: Ryan Strome (12), Anders Lee (12) 3-4
3RD PERIOD
13:30 New York Josh Bailey (11) ASST: Anders Lee (13), Dennis Seidenberg (12) 4-4
17:59 Toronto William Nylander (14) ASST: Connor Carrick (5), Nazem Kadri (18) 4-5
18:31 New York Andrew Ladd (12) ASST: Josh Bailey (26), Nick Leddy (20) 5-5
OT PERIOD
02:42 New York Brock Nelson (13) ASST: Josh Bailey (27), Calvin de Haan (11) 6-5
The Skinny:
The Isles recorded their first win of the season when trailing after two periods (1-12-2); it is the first time since March 29, 2016 that the Isles rallied from a second intermission deficit to win....The Isles have allowed eight second period goals over the last three games, after allowing only two goals in the second period of the previous seven games…Brock Nelson recorded his 1st career overtime goal as the Isles improved to 3-8 in games decided in overtime at Barclays; it was Nelson's first 3-point game of the season (2-1-3) and the third of his career…The Isles scored the goal that forced overtime for the second straight game, but only the 4th time (in 14 OT games) this season…Ryan Strome had his second consecutive two-point game; Anders Lee had his third consecutive two-point game … Josh Bailey is 5-3-8 in the last 6 games after scoring only 6 goals in the first 45 games; Bailey is 11-27-38 on season, leaving him just 3 assists and 3 points shy of tying his career highs…Anders Lee has 4 goals and 9 assists in his last 10 games…Thomas Greiss recorded the win despite allowing five goals for the second straight game; it's the first time in his career he has allowed at least 5 goals in consecutive appearances…After being red hot for 3 weeks, John Tavares does not have a point on the 11 goals that the Islanders have scored in the last 2 games….The 11 goals (both teams) matched both a season high (4-7 loss to Carolina on January 14) and a Barclays Center high (6-5 win over Dallas on January 2, 2016)…Leaf rookies have now scored 79 goals this season.
First Time in a Long Time
The Isles have earned points in their last eight home games (6-0-2). It's the first time that they have earned points in eight straight home games since 2013, when they went 7-0-3 in a 10-game stretch, but over two seasons.
The last time that the Isles had a point streak of at least eight home games in a single season was in 2003-04, when they earned points in nine straight games (1/17-2/24/04 - 6-0-3).
First Time(s) in a Century
All five Toronto goals came from a different rookie. It's the first time that has happened in Maple Leaf history. (It's also the first time since 2009 that at least three different Leaf rookies scored in the same game - two future Islanders, Mikhail Grabovski and Nikolay Kulemin joined John Mitchell for the goals that night.)
Josh Hyman's goal was shorthanded. He is the first rookie in Leafs history to record three shorthanded goals in a season.
Good Through 2
Only Minnesota (9 times, 3-5-1) and San Jose (13 times, 1-11-1) have trailed after two periods fewer times than the Isles (15 times, 1-12-2). It was the third straight game the Isles have trailed after two periods and rallied to tie the game at least once in the third period (1-1-1).
Moving on Up
Josh Bailey's assist on the winning goal was his 287th point, passing Ed Westfall for 23rd place on the all-time Isles list.
7-9-15
After allowing 7 goals in Toronto on January 14th, the Isles allowed only nine goals in their next seven games before allowing 15 goals in the last three games. It's the first time since December, 2014 that the Isles have allowed at least five goals in three straight games.
Late Losses
The Isles have been tied in the third period in 12 of their 18 regulation losses (and 22 of their 28 overall losses) but have allowed the lead goal in the final 3 minutes of regulation seven times (including one game they rallied to win):
#1 is #1 (aka The Greiss is Right)
Thomas Greiss has started 14 of the last 16 games (8-3-3) and 16 of the last 21 games (10-3-3). In the last 14 games that he started he has allowed only 34 goals, with 17of those coming in just three games. He has allowed two goals or less in 12 of his last 16 games.
50-50 to Begin February
The Isles are beginning February with a 10 game stretch that features five home games and five road games, all in a span of 17 days. The Isles are 1-1-1 in this stretch (1-0-1 at home and 0-1-0 on the road).
2/3 at Red Wings (Lost 4-5)
2/4 vs. Hurricanes (Lost 4-5 OT)
2/6 vs. Maple Leafs (Won 6-5 OT)
2/9 at Flyers
2/11 at Senators
2/12 vs. Avalanche
2/14 at Maple Leafs
2/16 vs. Rangers
2/18 at Devils
2/19 vs. Devils
The Isles play 22 of their final 34 on the road and do not have a homestand longer than two games. Following this 10-game stretch the Isles will play nine straight road games for the first time in franchise history.
Home-Heavy Schedule
The Isles have now played 31 of their 51 games at home. It's the first time in their history that they have ever played 11 more home games than road games. (Prior to this season, the largest difference was 8 in January 2003).
The Isles played 20 of their first 31 on the road in 2009; it's the only time that the Isles have played nine more road games than home games.
The Shots
Isles 13-8-12-1=34
Toronto 11-11-9-1=32
The Isles are 12-5-4 when they outshoot their opponents and 2-2-0 when the shots are even but are 9-12-5 when they are outshot.
Home and Road
The Islanders are 23-18-10 overall; 17-8-6 at home and 6-10-4 on the road.
Toronto is 24-17-10 overall; 12-8-3 at home and 12-9-7 on the road.
By Division & Conference
The Isles are 6-6-4 in Division games and 17-12-6 in games versus other divisions (7-7-3 vs. Atlantic, 4-2-1 vs. Central and 6-3-2 vs. Pacific). The Isles are 13-13-7 against the East and 10-5-3 against the West.
In the Nets
Thomas Greiss made 27 saves as he improves to 16-8-3 on the season and 4-1-1 in his career against Toronto.
Frederik Andersen made 28 saves but feel 90 seconds shy of his 100th career win. He is 22-11-9 this season and 2-1-1 in his career against the Isles.
Power Plays
The Isles went 0-1 on the power play and allowed a shorthanded goal, while Toronto was 0-1.
The Isles are 9-6-6 when they score at least one power play goal and 14-12-4 when they do not. The Isles are 7-9-5 when they allow at least one power play goal and 16-9-5 when they do not.
Three is a Magic Number
The Isles are 22-5-3 when they score at least three goals (including shootout winners) and are 1-13-7 when they do not.
One Goal Games
The Isles are 8-7-10 in games decided by a single goal including 4-7-0 in regulation. They are 3-7 in games decided in overtime and are 1-3 in shootouts. The Isles are 3-1 in games in which an empty-net goal turns a 1 goal game into a 2-goal game (including one game that they allowed a goal after scoring an empty-netter).
First Goal
The Isles are 17-5-7 when they score first and are 6-12-4 when they allow the opening goal.
Back-to-Backs
The Isles are 4-4-1 on the front-end of back-to-backs and 2-3-4 on the back-end.
The Isles will play 16 sets of back-to-backs this season. The next back-to-back set will be on February 11th in Ottawa and February 12th at home against Colorado.
Tired vs. Rested
Ice-time Leaders
Isles: Johnny Boychuk (23:23); Toronto: Jake Gardiner (22:28)
Isles record by ice-time leaders: Travis Hamonic (5-0-0), Nick Leddy (11-14-8), John Tavares (2-1-0), Johnny Boychuk (4-3-1), Dennis Seidenberg (1-0-1)
John Tavares led the Isles forwards with 21:34 of ice-time. Isles record by Forward ice-time leaders: John Tavares (16-10-8), Josh Bailey (4-5-2), Casey Cizikas (1-0-0), Cal Clutterbuck (0-1-0), Brock Nelson (1-2-0), Shane Prince (1-0-0).
Face-offs
Isles 29, Toronto 34 (46%).
John Tavares won 11 of 20 for the Islanders; Tyler Bozak won 14 of 22 for Toronto.
The Isles won only 7 of 20 draws in the first period before winning 22 of 43 draws the rest of the way.
The Isles won 26 of 60 draws at even strength, 2 of 2 on the power play and 1 of 1 on the penalty kill.
Hit Count
Isles 23, Toronto 22. Thomas Hickey led the Isles with four hits; Matt Martin and Nikita Zaitsev had five for Toronto.
Fights
There were no fights. Season total - 9: (Boychuk 1, deHaan 1, Hamonic 3, Mayfield 1, Hickey 1, Strome 1, Chimera 1).
Blocked Shots
The Isles were credited with 13 blocked shots, including four from Calvin deHaan.
For the Corsi Crowd
All situations: Isles 65, Toronto 55 (including 27-17 in the Isles favor in third period and overtime)
5-on-5 Isles 56, Toronto 49
5-on 5 leaders:
Isles: John Tavares +9; Alan Quine 75%
Toronto: Ryan Bozak +6
Ironmen
Jason Chimera - 157 (including 106 for the Capitals); Josh Bailey 118
Scratches
Scott Mayfield, Stephen Gionta, Cal Clutterbuck (injured)
Injured Reserve: Travis Hamonic
Total games lost: 92
All-time Islander Leader Boards:
Games Played (skaters)
Bryan Trottier 1123 \\* 2. Denis Potvin 1060 \\* 3. Bob Nystrom 900
10. Billy Harris 623 \\* 11. Stefan Persson 622 \\* 12. Josh Bailey 608
15 Garry Howatt 596 \\* 16. John Tonelli 594 \\* 17. John Tavares 560
Goals
Mike Bossy 573 \\* 2. Bryan Trottier 500 \\* 3. Denis Potvin 310
7. Bob Bourne 238 \\* 8. Bob Nystrom 235 \\\\ 9. John Tavares 227
25. Ray Ferraro 116 \\* 26. Ed Westfall and Benoit Hogue 105 \\* 28. Josh Bailey 104
Assists
Bryan Trottier 853 \\* 2. Denis Potvin 742 \\* 3. Mike Bossy 553
9. Bob Bourne 304 \\* 10. Derek King 288 \\* 11. John Tavares 287
16. Frans Nielson and Kyle Okposo 230 \\* 18. Pierre Turgeon 193 \\* 19. Josh Bailey 183
Points
Bryan Trottier 1353 \\* 2. Mike Bossy 1126 \\* 3. Denis Potvin 1052
6. Pat LaFontaine 566 \\* 7. John Tonelli 544 \\* 8. Bob Bourne 542 \\* 9. John Tavares 514
21. Duane Sutter 292 \\* 22. Alexei Yashin 290 \\* 23. Josh Bailey 287
Late Heroes
The Isles have scored three times in the final two minutes of regulation to either tie or win a game:
Fit to Be Tied
The Isles have allowed the final goal of regulation in 10 of their 14 games that have gone to overtime this season, including three in the final minute:
Season Series Stats
The Isles lead the season series two games to none (and four points to one). The teams will meet in Toronto on Valentine's Day to conclude the season series.
The Isles are 5-1-1 in the last seven games against Toronto; they are 3-0-1 in the last four meetings.
On The Farm
The Sound Tigers are 26-16-1-1 on the season and are 6-1-0-0 in the first seven games of their 8-game homestand, which concludes Tuesday against Springfield.
Bracken Kearns leads the Sound Tigers in points (16-19-35) and is tied with Steve Bernier for the goal-scoring lead with 16. Rookie Devon Toews has retaken the team lead with 23 assists. Ryan Pulock leads the defense with 7 goals (7-9-16 in only 23 games).
Up Next
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 96th -ISLANDERS AT PHILADELPHIA- 7:00PM
[NBCSN (NHL Live at 6:00), WFAN 660/101.9FM, 88.7 WRHU-FM, 103.9 WRCN]
The Isles begin a 2-game road trip as they look to climb within one point of the Flyers for the final playoff spot.
The Isles have lost five straight against Philadelphia, although they have earned points in both games against Philadelphia this season.
Jim Jackson and Keith Jones will call the game on NBCSN.
The final meeting of the teams will be in Philadelphia on March 30th.