After rest and recovery, NY Islanders captain Anders Lee knows the grind that awaits

As the stretch run approaches, Anders Lee knows the reset is over — and the real work for the New York Islanders is just beginning.

The Olympic break came at the right time. After a packed pre-break schedule and an emotional push through the standings, Lee admitted the pause offered something every NHL team quietly needs.

“It’s nice to get some time with your family, spend some quality time with them, and be with the kids and get away from the game for a few days and reset,” Lee said. “We played a lot of hockey and had a lot going on leading up to it, so it was nice to take a step away.”

For a team that had been grinding through a condensed slate, the fatigue wasn’t always obvious in the moment. “When you’re in that groove, you don’t realize how tired you are,” Lee explained. “Guys find a way to play good hockey and stay focused.” But once the final horn sounded heading into the break, the exhaustion hit. “Before the break, when it was finally over, you realized how gassed we were.”

Now, the Islanders return to a daunting reality: 24 games in 48 days. There’s little margin for error and even less time to dwell on setbacks. The preparation window, however, is something Lee believes can set the tone.

“That’s why we’re here today — we’ve got nine or ten days to prepare ourselves for that Montreal game. That’s plenty of time, but we’ve got to put the work in.”

After that, it becomes about discipline and recovery. “Once that game’s over, you start the process of recovering for the next night,” Lee said. “You’ve just got to do all the right things in between and take care of yourself.”

Every team will face the same grind. The difference, Lee believes, lies in commitment to the details — hydration, rest, recovery sessions, and mental focus.

“It’s not going to be anything different — every team’s going to go through it,” he said. “You’ve just got to take care of your body and get ready for each night.”

For the Islanders, the break provided clarity. The reset is complete. The final 24 is here, and the grind will define them.