Islanders: Anders Lee Skates With Reserves Before Game 3

Anders Lee was off to a hot start with 12 goals in his first 27 games for the New York Islanders this season. Unfortunately, his season would come to an end in early March after he tore his ACL on March 11.

He’s since had surgery and has even begun the rehab part of the injury as he’s skated on a few occasions. It appears like Anders Lee is ahead of schedule and he even took the ice with the reserves today before Game 3.

Here he is at the morning skate, looking like he’s putting a little juice into his skating.

After the Islanders wrapped up, Lee was skating on his own working on his stick-handling and turning. I know that both Lou Lamoriello and Barry Trotz have insisted that he’s done for the year but it’s hard not to get a little excited about Lee on the ice.

He’s such a leader for this team both on and off the ice the fact that he’s still there to bring his leadership presence is huge for this team in the playoffs.

I know he can’t play, but how cool would it be if he was able to lead the Islanders out for warmups tonight on home ice. The Coliseum might actually topple over if he led the team out with Semyon Varlamov later.

While Kyle Palmieri and Travis Zajac have done a nice job filling in during Lee’s absence, it’s going to be a nice treat when he’s ready to come back to the lineup. Lee’s still one of the best net-front guys in the league and the power play desperately misses him.

Can I get greedy and say that I hope, even though it’s super unlikely, that he somehow comes back in the playoffs? How sick would that be if Anders is somehow good to go. I know, I’m getting ahead of myself…

Good for Anders for getting back on the ice! These are things you love to see from the captain.