The Skinny: Game 40 - Islanders 5, Panthers 2

Game 40Isles 5, Florida 2
It was a night to remember for John Tavares. The Islander Captain recorded his first hat trick since 2014 and became the 10th player in Islander history to reach 500 points, as the Islanders earned a split of the home-and-home series with Florida, defeating the Panthers 5-2 before a crowd of 14,352 at BB&T Center.
Nick Leddy scored for the 2nd straight game for the Isles, who snapped a three game winless streak (0-1-2).

The Scoring: 1ST PERIOD
02:22 New York Jason Chimera (6) ASST: Anthony Beauvillier (6) 1-0
03:48 New York John Tavares (12) ASST: Nick Leddy (12), Josh Bailey (20) 2-0
09:55 Florida Vincent Trocheck (13) ASST: Jaromir Jagr (19), Keith Yandle (18) 2-1
2ND PERIOD
16:06 New York Nick Leddy (7) 3-1
3RD PERIOD
01:42 Florida PPG - Reilly Smith (9) ASST: Vincent Trocheck (14), Keith Yandle (19) 3-2
07:50 New York John Tavares (13) ASST: Josh Bailey (21) 4-2
18:16 New York EN - John Tavares (14) ASST: Casey Cizikas (11), Nick Leddy (13) 5-2
The Skinny:
John Tavares recorded points 499, 500 and 501 with his three goals was his 499th point, tying Derek King for tenth place on the all-time club list…Tavares is the first Islander with a hat trick since Kyle Okposo did so vs. Edmonton last season (2/7/16) and is the first Islander with a road hat trick since Matt Moulson did so in Dallas on 12/3/2011; he now has 100 more points than anyone else drafted in 2009 (Matt Duchene has 401)…The Isles scored the first goal for the 16th time in the last 21 games… The Isles are 10-6-4 in the last 20 games… The Isles are 12-0-3 when leading after two periods.…Thomas Greiss is 4-1-2 in his last seven (1.68, .948) and 7-2-2 in his last 11; he is the first Isles goalie since Jaroslav Halak (2014) to allow two goals or fewer in seven straight games… Isles held Jaromir Jagr (61-93-154 in his career vs Isles) to a single point in the home-and-home; it was his 1,894th career point (and 10th in the last 12 games)…Nick Leddy recorded a three point game; he has a three-point game in each of his three seasons with the Isles; he is the first Islander defensemen since Tom Kurvers (1991-92 to 1993-94) to have a three point game in three straight seasons…The Isles grabbed a 2-0 lead in the first 3:48, matching their earliest 2-goal lead this season (3:48 vs. Chicago on 12/15)…Ryan Strome fought Jussi Jokinen in the third period; it was his second career regular season NHL fight and the first by an Islander this season…Anders Lee had a season-high 7 shots on goal…Anthony Beauvillier dressed for the first time in five games, recording an assist and three shots on goal while going +2…Leddy, Tavares and Adam Pelech all went +3 while four Panthers went -3; it was the first time in his career that Pelech had a +3 rating... The Isles had a 2:00 5-on-3 in the first period and a 1:25 5-on-3 in the third period but did not score…Reilly Smith had a power play goal for Florida; Smith, who went 4-4-8 in the first round series for Florida against the Isles last spring, leads the Cats with six power play goals. He is 4-6-10 in 12 regular season games against the Isles.
Milestone Men
John Tavares became the 10th member of the Isles' 500 point club (and passed Derek King for 10th place on the all-time club point list).
Josh Bailey played in his 597th game, passing Garry Howatt for 14th place, and tying Kenny Jonsson for 13th place on the all-time Isles list.
John Tavares played in his 550th game, tying Ken Morrow for 17th place in the all-time Isles list.
Jack Capuano coached his 481st NHL game, passing Don Cherry and Bob Johnson for 69th place all-time.
Captain's Catch
John Tavares matched a career high with three goals - it is his 6th career hat trick (2nd on the road):
10-23-10 @ Florida
1-15-11 Vs Buffalo
10-15-11 Vs Rangers
2-16-13 Vs Devils
1-06-14 Vs Dallas
1-13-17 @ Florida
Tavares is the only Islander to have a hat trick against the Panthers IN Florida; Matt Moulson and Mariusz Czerkawski did so in home games. Tavares joins Alex Ovechkin as the only opponent to have two hat tricks against the Panthers in Florida.
First Time in a Long Time
What a night in the circle for John Tavares, who won 21 out of 28 draws - Tavares is the first Islander in over 9 years to win at least 21; it's only the 9th time under real-time scoring that an Isle has won at least 21.
1 Mike Sillinger 2006/12/02 @ PIT 24 9 72.7
2 Mike Sillinger 2007/04/08 @ NJD 22 11 66.7
3 Mike Sillinger 2007/12/08 @ TBL 22 12 64.7
4 Michael Peca 2001/12/15 vs FLA 21 8 72.4
5 Michael Peca 2003/12/16 vs NJD 21 9 70.0
6 Mike Sillinger 2007/02/13 @ TOR 21 6 77.8
7 John Tavares 2017/01/13 @ FLA 21 7 75.0
8 Michael Peca 2001/11/16 @ COL 21 15 58.3
9 Claude Lapointe 1999/03/04 vs DAL 21 12 63.6
(Of the other 8, only Sillinger's 2/13/07 performance in Toronto saw an Isle win at least 21 draws AND at least 75% of the draws)
Last Minute Heroes
The Isles have scored twice in the final minute of regulation to either tie or win a game:
• 11/25 - SJ Sharks -- Nick Leddy (19:02); tied game, but Isles lost in regulation
• 11/30 - Pit Penguins - Anders Lee (19:33); Game Winning goal
Fit to Be Tied
The Isles have allowed the final goal of regulation in nine of their 11 games that have gone to overtime this season, including three in the final minute:
• 10/16 - Ana Ducks - Ryan Getzlaf (19:00); Isles won in OT
• 11/3 - Phi Flyers - Jakob Voracek (19:02/PP); Flyers won in SO
• 11/12 - Fla Panthers - Jonathan Marchessault (19:46); Panthers won in OT
Late Losses
The Isles have been tied in the third period in 10 of their 16 regulation losses (and 18 of their 24 overall losses) but have allowed the lead goal in the final 3 minutes of regulation five times:
• 10/18 - SJ Sharks - Joe Pavelski (17:49)
• 10/26 - Mtl Canadiens - Shea Weber (17:03)
• 10/27 - Pit Penguins - Sidney Crosby (17:35)
• 11/23 - LA Kings - Dwight King (17:07)
• 11/25 - SJ Sharks - Patrick Marleau (19:37)
Road Warriors
This was the sixth game of a stretch in which the Isles will play seven out of eight games on the road: The Isles are 2-2-2 in that stretch.
12/29 @ Wild - Lost 4-6
12/31 @ Jets - Won 6-2
1/6 @Avalanche - Lost/OT 1-2
1/7 @ Coyotes - Lost/SO 1-2
1/11 Vs Panthers - Lost 1-2
1/13 @ Panthers - Won 5-2
1/14 @ Hurricanes
1/16 @ Bruins
Following this stretch, the Isles will play six straight at home - it will be the final homestand of at least three games this season.
The Shots
Isles 5-20-17=42
Florida 10-11-7=28
The 42 shots are a season-high for the Isles, as is the +14 shot differential.
The Isles are 8-5-2 when they outshoot their opponents and 1-2-0 when the shots are even but are 7-10-5 when they are outshot.
Home and Road
The Islanders are 16-16-8 overall; 11-8-4 at home and 5-8-4 on the road.
Florida is 19-17-8 overall; 10-9-3 at home and 9-8-5 on the road.
By Division & Conference
The Isles are 4-5-2 in Division games and 12-11-6 in games versus other divisions (4-6-3 vs. Atlantic, 3-2-1 vs. Central and 5-3-2 vs. Pacific). The Isles are 8-11-5 against the East and 8-5-3 against the West.
In the Nets
Thomas Greiss made 26 saves as he improves to 10-6-2 on the season and 2-2-1 in his (regular season) career against Florida.
Roberto Luongo made 37 saves but falls to 13-11-5 on the season and 12-12-3 in his career against the Isles.
Power Plays
The Islanders went 0-6 on the power play while Florida was 1-3.
The Isles are 6-5-5 when they score at least one power play goal and 10-11-3 when they do not. The Isles are 5-9-5 when they allow at least one power play goal and 11-7-3 when they do not.
Three is a Magic Number
The Isles are 15-3-2 when they score at least three goals (including shootout winners) and are 1-13-6 when they do not.
One Goal Games
The Isles are 6-6-8 in games decided by a single goal including 3-6-0 in regulation. They are 2-5 in games decided in overtime and are 1-3 in shootouts. The Isles are 1-1 in games in which an empty-net goal turns a 1 goal game into a 2-goal game.
First Goal
The Isles are 12-4-5 when they score first and are 4-12-3 when they allow the opening goal.
Second to The One
Jack Capuano, the 2nd winningest coach in Islander history, is 226-191-64 behind the Islander bench. Among the 9 New York area teams, only the Yankees' Joe Girardi has led his team longer than Capuano.

Most games coached (Islanders):
1. Al Arbour 1,500
2. Jack Capuano 481
3. Mike Milbury 191
4. Terry Simpson 187
5. Scott Gordon 181
Most wins by Islander coaches:
1. Al Arbour 740
2. Jack Capuano 226
3. Terry Simpson 81
4. Peter Laviolette 77
5. Ted Nolan 74
Capuano is -69st in NHL games coached, 9 games behind Tom Watt and 10 behind Craig Hartsburg. His 226 wins places him 64th all-time, three behind Robbie Ftorek and eight behind Bob Johnson.
Back-to-Backs
Including tonight, the Isles are 3-3-1 on the front-end of back-to-backs and 2-2-2 on the back-end.
The Isles will play 16 sets of back-to-backs this season. The next back-to-back set is January 13th in Florida and January 14th in Carolina.
Tired vs. Rested
• The Isles are 1-0-1 when both teams played the night before.
• The Isles are 5-3-2 when they are rested and their opponents are not.
• The Isles are 1-2-1 when their opponents are rested and the Isles are not.
• The Isles are 9-11-4 when both teams are rested.
Ice-time Leaders
Isles: Nick Leddy (23:41); Florida: Aaron Ekblad (22:48)
Isles record by ice-time leaders: Travis Hamonic (5-0-0), Nick Leddy (8-12-6), John Tavares (2-1-0), Johnny Boychuk (1-3-1), Dennis Seidenberg (0-0-1)
John Tavares led the Isles forwards with 21:36 of ice-time. Isles record by Forward ice-time leaders: John Tavares (10-9-6), Josh Bailey (4-5-2), Casey Cizikas (1-0-0), Cal Clutterbuck (0-1-0), Brock Nelson (1-1-0)
Face-offs
Isles 42, Florida 22 (66%).
John Tavares won 21 of 28 for the Isles; No Panther won more than they lost.
The Isles won 13 of 23 draws in the first period, 10 of 16 in the second period and 19 of 25 in the third.
The Isles won 33 of 46 draws at even strength, 7 of 11 on the power play and 2 of 7 on the penalty kill.
Hit Count
Isles 22, Florida 26. Thomas Hickey, Jason Chimera and Adam Pelech led the Isles with three hits; Derek MacKenzie and Jonathan Marchessault led Florida with four.
Fights
Ryan Strome fought Jussi Jokinen in the third period. Season total - 7: (Boychuk 1, deHaan 1, Hamonic 3, Mayfield 1).
Blocked Shots
The Isles were credited with 10 blocked shots, including three from Adam Pelech.
For the Corsi Crowd
All situations: Isles 66, Florida 50 (including 29-7 in the Isles' favor in the final 13 minutes)
5-on-5 Isles 38, Florida 41
5-on 5 leaders:
Isles: Calvin deHaan +6; Calvin deHaan 64%
Florida: Jonathan Sgarbossa +6
Ironmen
Jason Chimera - 146 (including 106 for the Capitals); Josh Bailey 107
Scratches
Shane Prince, Stephen Gionta, Travis Hamonic (injured)
Total games lost: 63
Missing a Piece (or two)
Since the start of the 2014-15 season, the Isles are 20-19-4 in games in which they are missing Johnny Boychuk, Travis Hamonic or Nick Leddy, including 4-2-1 this season.
All-time Islander Leader Boards:Games Played (skaters)
1. Bryan Trottier 1123 \\* 2. Denis Potvin 1060 \\* 3. Bob Nystrom 900
….
12. Frans Nielsen 606 \\\13. Josh Baileyand Kenny Jonsson 597\\\ 15 Garry Howatt 596 \\*
\\* 16. John Tonelli 594 \\* 17.Ken Morrow and John Tavares 550
Goals
1. Mike Bossy 573 \\* 2. Bryan Trottier 500 \\* 3. Denis Potvin 310
…
7. Bob Bourne 238 \\* 8. Bob Nystrom 235 \\\\ 9. John Tavares 221
Assists
1. Bryan Trottier 853 \\* 2. Denis Potvin 742 \\* 3. Mike Bossy 553
…
9. Bob Bourne 304 \\* 10. Derek King 288 \\* 11. John Tavares 280
…
18. Pierre Turgeon 193 \\* 19. Ed Westfall 181 \\* 20. Josh Bailey 178
Points
1. Bryan Trottier 1353 \\* 2. Mike Bossy 1126 \\* 3. Denis Potvin 1052
…
8. Bob Bourne 542 \\* 9. Bobby Nystrom 513 \\* 10. John Tavares 501
…
21. Duane Sutter 292 \\* 22. Alexei Yashin 290 \\* 23. Ed Westfall 286 \\* 24 Josh Bailey 276
Season Series Stats
Florida wins the season series two games to one (and four points to three).
The Isles are 2-3-3 in their last 8 regular season games against Florida. This was the first time in the last five regular season games between the teams in Sunrise that did not go to overtime.
On The Farm
The Sound Tigers are 18-14-1-1 this season after a 3-2 OT loss in Binghamton on Friday. Steve Bernier and Bracken Kearns scored the Bridgeport goals, with Kearns tying the game with a third period power play goal. Jaroslav Halak recorded 32 saves and was named the game's 3rd Star.
Kearns continues to lead the Sound Tigers in goals and points (13-15-28). Rookie Devon Toews leads the team with 198 assists and is second on the team in points (4-19-232).

The Sound Tigers host Utica on Saturday night before finishing the weekend on Sunday afternoon in Providence.
Up NextSATURDAY, JANUARY 14th -ISLANDERS AT CAROLINA - 7:00PM[MSG+ (Isles pre-game at 6:30), WNYM 970, 88.7 WRHU-FM, 103.9 WRCN]
The Isles have not yet played either New Jersey or Carolina this season but will face the Hurricanes as the road trip continues Saturday in North Carolina. It's the first of three trips this season to Raleigh for the Isles.
The Isles went 2-1-1 against Carolina last season, with three of the four games being decided after regulation. The Islander wins came in a pair of games in late March where JF Berube earned an overtime win and Thomas Greiss recorded a shootout victory.
The Isles are 4-1-0 in their last five trips to Raleigh and are 6-1-2 in their last nine games against the Canes.
However, the Canes have been nearly unbeatable at home, going 13-1-1 in their last 15 home games (including a 5-2 win on Friday over Buffalo in Cam Ward's 600th NHL game). Only the Penguins (18-2-2) have fewer home losses than Carolina (14-4-1).