Lambert had served as the Associate Coach of the Islanders for the past four seasons. Prior to his time with the Islanders, Lambert spent four seasons as an Assistant Coach with the Washington Capitals. During that period, Washington won the franchise's first Stanley Cup Championship (2017-18). The Melfort, Saskatchewan native spent three seasons as an Assistant Coach with the Nashville Predators from the 2011-12 season through the 2013-14 season. Lambert served as Head Coach of the Milwaukee Admirals of the American Hockey League (AHL) from 2007-11 and helped the Admirals capture a pair of West Division titles (2008-09 and 2010-11). Prior to joining the Admirals as an Assistant Coach in 2006-07, Lambert spent one season as an Assistant Coach for the Bridgeport Sound Tigers, the Islanders' AHL affiliate. Lambert started his coaching career in the Western Hockey League, spending two seasons as Head Coach of the Prince George Cougars (2003-05).
Lambert was drafted by the Detroit Red Wings in the second round (25th overall) of the 1983 NHL Entry Draft. He scored 124 points (58 goals, 66 assists) and accumulated 521 penalty minutes in 283 career NHL games from 1983-1989 with Detroit, the New York Rangers and Quebec Nordiques. Lambert enjoyed his most successful NHL campaign with the Nordiques in 1987-88, recording career-highs in points (41) and assists (28) in 61 contests. Lambert won an AHL Calder Cup title with the Adirondack Red Wings in 1986 and helped the Houston Aeros claim the IHL's Turner Cup Championship in 1999.
