GOTTA SEE IT: NY Islanders Anders Lee comes through in the crotch
That play was nuts.
In a career of unconventional goals, New York Islanders captain Anders Lee scored the most unorthodox, unusual, and humourous goal of his career.
Trailing 1-0 in the second period, Lee's rebound off a Mathew Barzal shot was saved by Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Casey DeSmith. Lee and the Penguins' defenders couldn't locate the puck at first, but it was soon discovered on DeSmith's torso - lower torso. As it laid on top of DeSmith in a sensitive area, Lee backhanded the puck as if it was sitting on a tee and into the net to the game at 1-1. For Lee, it was his 20th goal of the season, the seventh 20+ goal season his career.
"That's a lot cleaner than what's going on the summer; I'll tell you that," Lee told MSG Networks Shannon Hogan during the first intermission when asked if the goal was indicative of his golf game.
"I liked where I put it," said Lee. "But we couldn't find it, but all of a sudden, thankfully, my eyes found it right on his stomach there and able to get a clean one out of it."
Lee started the game on the Islanders' top line playing with Barzal and Bo Horvat as head coach Lane Lambert continues to shake up the lines looking for a spark and the right combinations with center JG Pageau out of the lineup on injured reserve with a lower-body injury.
The Islanders entered Friday night's game against Pittsburgh, having lost three straight (0-1-2) after a four-game winning streak. The Isles, currently sixth in the Metropolitan Division, trail the Pens by two points in the Eastern Conference playoff race, but the Pens have four games in hand.