Here are some notes for those fans getting ready to watch the New York Islanders (3-3-2) play host to the Vancouver Canucks (5-4-1) in NHL action at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum on Tuesday night.
Isles Celebrating. Photo by: Stacy Podelski
LAST THREE GAMES (1-1-1)
10/19/13: NYI 3 vs. CAR 4
The New York Islanders surged with two goals late in the third period, but were unable to complete the comeback, losing to the Carolina Hurricanes 4-3 Saturday at Nassau Coliseum. Matt Moulson (one goal, two assists) and Kyle Okposo (one goal, one assist) had multi-point games as the Islanders lost in regulation for the first time in their last 11 home games.
TONIGHT’S MATCHUP
The Islanders conclude their four-game homestand tonight against the Vancouver Canucks. This is the first of two meetings this season between the teams. The Isles have gone 4-1-3 in their last eight home games against Vancouver, dating back to 1999.
ALL TIME ISLANDERS VS. CANUCKS:
All-Time Record: 49-36-15
2012-13 Record: 0-0-0
Last Regulation Win: 3/16/10 – NYI 5 at VAN 2 Last Regulation Loss: 11/13/11 – NYI 1 at VAN 4 Overtime Record (W-L-T): 3-2-4
Last Overtime Decision: 2/3/04 – NYI 5 vs. VAN 4 Shootout Record: 1-2
Last Shootout: 1/11/11 – NYI 3 vs. VAN 4
TEAM NOTES:
Streaking: John Tavares has a point in seven straight games (4g/6a), marking the second-longest point streak of his career (he had a 12 game streak in 2011-12). The only game this season in which he did not record a point was the season opener. Tavares is tied for 10th in the NHL scoring race with 10 points.
Assist Streak: Piere-Marc Bouchard is on a three-game assist streak. He’s recorded an assist in every game since being scratched on Oct. 12.
Home Point Streak: The Hurricanes snapped the Islanders streak of earning a point in 10 straight regular season games (7-0-3) Saturday. The last time the Islanders had a longer point streak on home ice was when they went 28-0-2 at the Coliseum from January 2 – October 30, 1982.
Shot Blocker: Andrew MacDonald leads the NHL with 26 blocked shots. Last season he tied for third in the league with 123 blocks, two shy of the leader.
Heavy Hitter: Matt Martin is tied for third in the NHL with 35 hits. He’s led the NHL in hits in each of the last two seasons. In 2011-12, Martin’s 374 hits marked the highest total since hits became an official stat in 2005-06.
Career Wins: Evgeni Nabokov’s 338 career victories rank 18th on the NHL all time wins list. Nabokov ranks 19th all time in shutouts with 55, two behind Clint Benedict.
UPCOMING MILESTONES
Tavares – 2 games shy of 300
Hamonic – 9 games shy of 200
The Islanders versus Canucks game is set to air on the MSG Plus network, with face-off scheduled for 7:00 p.m.