Islanders Beat Sharks 4-1 With A 3 Point Night From Anders Lee
The New York Islanders are winners in back to back games, thanks to a big day from their captain, Anders Lee who had three points.
After putting up a bounce-back performance against the Detroit Red Wings, the Islanders were looking to keep the momentum rolling on home ice. Early in this game, neither team really developed too many chances, that is until Anders Lee beat Martin Jones.
6:49 into the period, Lee got set up on a beautiful feed from Mat Barzal as he scored a much-needed goal. Lee, who has had a ton of shots over the Islanders past few games hasn’t been able to find the back of the net, until now.
San Jose would tie up the game moments later from a Dylan Gambrell goal. It was deflected in front after what initially looked like a harmless feed from the blue line from Radim Simek.
The Isles would get a late power play but developed nothing, so at the end of one, both teams exited with a goal apiece.
Just 1:10 into the second period, Anders Lee found the back of the net again courtesy of Mat Barzal.
It was Lee’s 19th of the year which puts him on pace for 26 goals. That number should continue to go up if he continues to get the same opportunities he’s been producing over the past five games or so.
The period got quiet for both sides until Devon Toews netted a feed from Brock Nelson from the goal line to give the Islanders a two-goal lead.
In the third, the Islanders would get two power play chances and do nothing with them. The power play wasn’t great today as they ended the day 0-for-3 with only the third one producing any kind of real chances.
Semyon Varlamov was solid in this period, facing 10 shots and standing on his head in big spots. With a chance for a hat trick on the line and an empty net, Anders Lee did this:
Now that’s my captain! Josh Bailey gave up an empty-net goal to give it to Leo Komarov on Friday night and Anders Lee returned the favor just two days later with his first career hat trick on the line.
The Islanders won this one 4-1, and are winners of back to back heading into the trade deadline tomorrow. Obviously, the next 20 hours or so are going to be hectic but it’s nice to go into it with some momentum.
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Winners: Anders Lee, Semyon Varlamov, Mat Barzal
Losers: Martin Jones, Joe Thornton, Tim Heed