Anders Lee Making Early-Season Impact 

Captain Anders Lee is having a productive start to his 13th NHL season with the New York Islanders, scoring two goals in his last three games and continuing to lead his team by example.

“I’m very impressed with him,” Head Coach Patrick Roy said. “Since the start of training camp, he’s been working extremely hard, and he does it in his games. He forechecks hard, he’s a strong net presence, plays well in our own zone, I feel like he’s playing some very solid hockey for us right now.”

Lee played an important role in Saturday’s 4-3 SO win against the Montreal Canadiens. He rushed up ice as JG Pageau put the puck on net, with Lee crashing the net for a rebound opportunity. In the perfect spot with a wide-open net, Lee capitalized on the opportunity and took a 3-2 lead late in the third period.

Lee has been a consistent goal scorer for the Isles, putting up 20+ goals in seven of his last eight seasons. His style of play, grit and work ethic on the ice sets the tone for the team.

“He’s our leader on and off the ice and the way he plays brings a spark to everyone,” Kyle Palmieri said. “His goal the other night was obviously huge, the way he scored it, it’s how we want to play. Going to the net hard and make sure we’re finishing, that’s what he’s always done so well.”

Lee gave credit to his linemates for the recent on-ice success. He started the season playing with JG Pageau and Simon Holmstrom, a line that Roy has been continually impressed by since the three played together in the First Round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

“We’re doing a great job of communicating with each other,” Lee said. “We’re reading off one another really well, we’re in on the forecheck, and we’re playing a simple hockey game and using our strengths really well. Whether it’s [Pageau] in his positioning, [Holmstrom] and his skill or me in the corners, we’re feeding off each other really well right now.”

Lee got the scoring started in a 6-2 win over the Colorado Avalanche in the middle of their three-game road trip. Down 1-0, the winger collected the puck from behind the net, swung around to the right side of the crease and jammed it behind Alexandar Georgiev for the Isles first goal, which tied the game at one apiece in an eventual 6-2 win for New York. The captain finished the game with seven shots on goal, his most in a game since Dec. 9, 2022, where he registered a career-high 10 SOG.

“I just had some openings, some great plays on our line that allowed me to get some shots. But also took a few to the net, if I get a step on a guy, I like to take it in and I was able to do that a few times [against Colorado]. Sometimes you get a rebound or two for a couple quick ones.”

Holmstrom, who had the primary assist on Lee’s goal against Colorado, said he learned a lot from the captain from both playing with him and being his teammate.

“He’s awesome. He’s been unreal and his goals are huge for us, it’s fun to see,” Holmstrom said. “He’s an unbelievable guy. He takes care of everybody, works hard every day both on and off the ice.”