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Rapid Reaction: Lee Records Hat Trick, Islanders Shut Out Blue Jackets 6-0

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2 years ago

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New York Islanders

Elmont–The New York Islanders were all over the Columbus Blue Jackets on Thursday night as they won by a score of 6-0. The Islanders move to 22-24-8 on the season, 12-12-4 at UBS Arena.

Beauvillier–Nelson–Bailey

Bailey–Pageau–Palmieri

Parise–Koivula–Beauvillier

Martin–Cizikas–Clutterbuck

Pelech–Pulock

Greene–Dobson

Aho–Mayfield

Sorokin

HOW IT HAPPENED

Brock Nelson gave the New York Islanders a 1-0 lead at 10:32 of the first period. His wrist shot, while on the power play, beat Columbus Blue Jackets netminder Joonas Korpisalo under the arm and in for his 22nd of the season. Josh Bailey and Brock Nelson were credited with the assists.

Josh Bailey made it 2-0 Islanders at 10:32 of the second period as he beat Korpisalo through the legs on a semi-breakaway. Kyle Palmieri was credited with the assist on Bailey’s fourth of the season.

The Islanders took a 3-0 lead as Anders Lee beat Korpisalo under the glove at 13:49 of the second period. Lee’s 17th of the season was assisted by Adam Pelech and Anthony Beauivllier.

Jean-Gabriel Pageau gave the Islanders a 4-0 lead at 17:44 of the second period. Ryan Pulock teed up a one-timer on a two-on-one rush and Pageau made no mistake for his 10th of the season. Pulock with the lone assist.

Anders Lee scored his second of the contest as he found a loose puck and put it top shelf for his 18th of the season at 11:57 of the third period to give the Islanders a 5-0 lead.

With a few seconds left in the third, Anders Lee notched the hat trick as he received a pass from Sebastian Aho for a wide-open cage from the slot. Aho and Beauvillier were credited with the assists on Lee’s third at 19:58 of the third period.

Lee Heating Up?

New York Islanders forward Anders Lee has scored goals this season but not at the consistent rate that was expected, like most of the team this season.

However, it seems that Anders Lee is heating up as after he scored two goals in the 5-4 loss to the Colorado Avalanche Monday, he recorded his first career hat trick on Thursday night. He now has 19 goals on the season and four goals in his last six games.

He scored two goals in the second period and beat the clock in the third period, scoring his third of the contest with just three seconds to play.

“You always feel good when you score a goal, but I think it’s a combination of finding your spots, good looks,” Anders Lee said following the game.  “I mean, you look at some of those ones tonight like the puck finds you too. So there’s some putting yourselves in a position to get a good bounce and just a couple nights in a row of getting those bounces.

“And you know… also putting yourself in the right position. Some good plays from my linemates and teammates to get me the puck too on both ends.”

Sorokin with Another Shutout

Ilya Sorokin made some key saves in big moments as he recorded his sixth shutout of the season against the Columbus Blue Jackets. He stopped all 25 shots that came his way including two breakaways.

His biggest save came on Boone Jenner midway through the first period as the Blue Jackets captain got on a short-handed breakaway while the game was still 0-0.

“He made a lot of key saves for us to keep us in the game,” Jean-Gabriel Pageau said. “I think when the goalie makes a big save like that on our power play, it gives momentum to the team.”

“And to see him make that save, it doesn’t surprise me and it’s been good, and for the bench it’s amazing.”

Bailey Snaps Goal Drought

It had been 18 games since Josh Bailey scored a goal but that streak came to a close on Thursday night. In the second period, Bailey finished off a great pass by Kyle Palmieri as he got Columbus Blue Jackets netminder Joonas Korpisalo to open up the wickets.

Bailey also had the primary assist on Brock Nelson’s opening tally of the contest. This was his first two-point night since Jan. 21 against the Arizona Coyotes.

“You go through stretches like this throughout the course of your career. You just stick with it. There’s only one way through it, you can’t get around it. You just got to keep working,” Josh Bailey said. “So really, it was a good opportunity to play with Pageau and Palmieri tonight.”

“Good point overall so I think we just keep taking steps forward.”

Power Play Goal Streak Continues

The New York Islanders continued to perform on the power play as they scored on the man advantage for the third consecutive game. Brock Nelson corraled the puck while he moved through the slot before he beat Korpisalo just under the glove and in and Lee’s third came off a late power-play chance as well.

The Islanders power play is five for their last 10 opportunities. Noah Dobson has assisted on four of those goals.

In the 5-4 loss to the Colorado Avalanche on Monday the Islanders went two for four on the power play. In the 2-1 victory over the St. Louis Blues last Saturday, the Islanders went one-for-three on the man advantage.

“I think we’re moving the puck well. I think you can see out there that all five guys are involved. Everyone’s getting touches,” Lee said. “I think our entries have been good and solid. Our retrievals off shots and rebounds and the puck is moving quick.”

“You know we bring it to the net and regroup and we’re finding success by doing that.”

GAME NOTES

Mathew Barzal (day-to-day) missed his sixth straight contest on Thursday as he works his way back from a lower-body injury. He skated with the team Thursday morning for the first time since Feb. 26, the night he was injured against the Los Angeles Kings.

Zdeno Chara (IR) was on the ice for the second straight skate on Thursday. Barry Trotz said that Chara was close and could return to the lineup Friday against the Winnipeg Jets.

WHAT’S NEXT: The New York Islanders host the Winnipeg Jets on Friday night at 7:30 PM ET at UBS Arena.

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