In Elmont, Anders Lee scored the first and last goals of the game on Tuesday night to help the Islanders to a 5-1 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins. Lee scored in the first and third periods.
Ilya Sorokin made 20 saves in the win.
“I think it was,” New York coach Lane Lambert said when asked if the performance against Pittsburgh was among its most complete games this season. “From start to finish, I thought we were dialed in and we were doing things the right way, and I just thought we played a real solid hockey game.”
Pierre-Olivier Joseph was the lone striker for the Pens, his goal tied the game, 1-1, in the first period.
“One of the things we talked about was playing straight ahead early on,” Pittsburgh coach Mike Sullivan said. “Simplifying the game, especially after coming off a break. We know that our experience usually tells us that it takes a little bit after having a few days off like that. We wanted to simplify the game and play straight ahead. We did none of the above.”
The Pens dropped to 19-10-5.
Matthew Barzal hit for a double in the second period.
“It’s nice to get the momentum going and continue it from where we thought we were,” Lee said. “Coming out of the three-day break to kind of pop one just kind of [settle] the game a little bit and relieve some of the pressure that you can sometimes feel. Our guys from the puck drop tonight, we had our legs and made sure to keep [them moving].”
His two goals were sandwiched around a strike from Josh Bailey for a 4-1 lead headed to the third period.
“Guys are making plays,” Barzal said. “Guys are making good passes. Seemed like everything was on the tape tonight.”
Lee scored at 3:33 of the third for the 5-1 final.
“We played quick in the right areas and were poised with the puck at the right time,” Lee said. “Solid defensively when we needed to be. Start to finish, a really solid game.”
Tristan Jarry made 37 saves in the Pens loss.
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