For the past two weeks, the Islanders haven’t looked much like a first-place team, but the standings remain on their side.
Even after a recent stretch of four losses in five games, the Islanders remain in control of the Metropolitan Division after grinding out their third straight one-goal win over another one of the worst teams in the league — 3-2 over Toronto — on Thursday night at Nassau Coliseum.
Anders Lee’s second goal — a tie-breaking, game-winning effort with 7:58 left in the second period — allowed Jaraslov Halak (32 saves) to earn his career-best 30th win of the season, a hard-fought victory which John Tavares said displays the difference in the ceiling of this year’s team compared to last year’s.
“This is the way you win hockey games this time of year and in the playoffs,” Tavares said. “For us, it’s good to see us handle these games a lot better than we did last year.
“I think by now, a lot of teams probably know what we’re capable of. Whether they’re in the playoffs or not, this time of year is always tight and always hard-fought for us. For us, we don’t take anything for granted, and it’s important you don’t look over any team.”
The Islanders (36-18-1) came out strong, reversing their recent efforts by scoring two goals in the game’s first 4:03, with Lee intercepting a cross-ice pass from Cody Franson and beating Leafs goalie Johnathan Bernier for his 17th goal of the season just 1:11 into the game.
Less than three minutes later, the Islanders’ fourth line continued its sensational stretch, as Colin McDonald created a rebound for Casey Cizikas, who scored his second goal in two games, while McDonald’s assist gave him his fourth point in three games since being recalled from Bridgeport (AHL).
The Islanders appeared ready for a rout, outshooting the Maple Leafs 18-8, with Lee barely missing a hat trick on multiple opportunities.
“Things are just clicking right now,” said Lee, who has five goals in his past six games. “Pucks are going in and I’ve been meshing with linemates throughout the season. It’s not just me, but I’ve been able to be on the end of most plays.”
The beginning of the second period looked foreign to the first, as the Maple Leafs (23-29-4) — who set a franchise record with their 12th straight road loss — tied the game with two goals in the first 4:09 of the period, scoring their second on a mid-air swing from Trevor Smith, prompting a timeout from Islanders coach Jack Capuano.
“It wasn’t our hockey,” Capuano said. “You get a couple goals early on and you think it’s going to be easy. You have to stick with the game plan.”
Even with Lee’s second goal reviving the crowd and increasing the Islanders’ physicality, the outcome remained in doubt until the end, with Halak holding on for another tough win.
It was a win that wasn’t art, but pretty doesn’t put banners in the rafters. What does are teams that can win several different ways.
This team’s versatility, Capuano said, reminds him of the franchise’s — and one of the sport’s — most successful teams ever.
“Similar to what they had here in the 80’s,” said Capuano, when asked to describe his team’s identity. “We’ve got some skill but we’ve got some grit. … It’s about playing fast and playing physical.
“I think our guys realize how we are successful. When we do that we’re going to give ourselves a chance on a regular basis to win.”