Anders Lee’s Stick Change Paying Dividends Early In 2024-25
The Islanders captain's offseason decisions have him tied for the team lead in goals.
Looking back at November, it was a rough one for the New York Islanders.
After losing Anthony Duclair early in October and Mathew Barzal just before Halloween, they have been without Adam Pelech (jaw) and Mike Reilly (concussion, heart surgery), who were both injured on Nov. 1.
They even lost Alexander Romanov for a bit as well.
Despite the key absences, the Islanders found a way to stay afloat, going 6-5-4 in the month to stay in the wild-card race. They sit three points back of the Philadelphia Flyers and New York Rangers, who both have 27 points.
One could point to blown third-period leads as a key reason the Islanders aren’t safely in a playoff spot at this point.
The question now becomes, after the Islanders held on to a third-period lead on Saturday, shutting out the Buffalo Sabres 3-0, can they build on that strong performance up in Montreal on Tuesday, or will they do the Salsa dance and take a step back?
Also, are any of the injured players nearing a return? The Islanders could use some positive news on the injury front after Jean-Gabriel Pageau missed the last two games of November with a lower-body injury.
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Islanders Simon Holmstrom Stepping Up After Jean-Gabriel Pageau Injury
When Jean-Gabriel Pageau was a late scratch ahead of the New York Islanders' game against Washington Capitals on Friday, forward Simon Holmstrom was called on in a pinch.
Head coach Patrick Roy moved the young forward to the team's top line, slotting him alongside Bo Horvat and Anders Lee.
Holmstrom has made the most of his opportunity, scoring two goals on Friday and two goals on Saturday while also playing impeccable defense.
"I've played with those two guys before, so I felt pretty confident going in there," Holmstrom said. "We have a lot of guys out right now, so someone's got to step up. And getting that chance, I've got to take it." (H/t New York Islanders)
Read the rest at The Hockey News.
Anders Lee’s Stick Change Paying Dividends Early In 2024-25
New York Islanders captain Anders Lee is off to a tremendous start to his 2024-25 campaign.
After struggling out of the gate a year ago, Lee is tied for the team lead with 10 goals, adding nine assists for 19 points in 25 games.
His Leesurgence, if you will, can be credited to his new offseason training, as he worked with Bo Horvat’s trainer, Adam Oates.
But there’s one other thing that Lee changed that has paid dividends.
And that’s his stick, as he switched stick brands for the first time in his NHL career, going from Bauer to Warrior.
I caught up with Lee to discuss the switch: