:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/49267051/GettyImages-518750200.0.jpg)
Damn, son.
Bad news confirmed: Anders Lee has a fractured leg, out indefinitely. Hit by a slap shot from teammate Johnny Boychuk last night. #Isles
— Arthur Staple (@StapeNewsday) April 8, 2016
Tests will determine whether Anders Lee needs surgery to repair leg fracture. Season most definitely over, regardless of how far #Isles go.
— Arthur Staple (@StapeNewsday) April 8, 2016
Lee's sophomore season hadn't exactly been a smooth one, with his goal totals down to 15 from last year's 25, but he continued to be a significant possession contributor for the Islanders and a particularly effective weapon on the power play. Just one month ago, he scored a game-winning goal against Pittsburgh - the Islanders' most likely first round opponent - that was Classic Lee: screening Marc-Andre Fleury and battling Kris Letang as he redirected a slapshot from Nick Leddy.
Lee is the latest and possibly most devastating of the Islanders' growing injury list. Jaroslav Halak was deemed out weeks ago and had begun skating with equipment again, as has third-stringer Jean-Francois Berube, who was hurt last Saturday. Travis Hamonic has also started skating, albeit lightly, as he returns from a lower-body injury. Cal Clutterbuck and Matt Martin both missed last night's win over the Rangers, and Calvin de Haan has left the last two games for short periods. He took a puck off of his knee in Tuesday's win over the Capitals and one off of a skate last night. Mikhail Grabovski continues to be out indefinitely with an upper body injury. Heck, even poor Brian Strait is hurt.
Lee's broken leg will end consecutive game streak at 156 reg ssn games. [Was 2nd longest #isles streak to Kulemin;162 as NYI, 230 overall]
— Eric Hornick (@ehornick) April 8, 2016
With the playoffs around the corner, losing a top six player is a terrible turn of events for the Islanders. They have more than a few players who've struggled to score this season and who were recently called out by name by coach Jack Capuano. If Ryan Strome, Josh Bailey and Brock Nelson didn't pick their shit up before as instructed, now would be the time.
On another note: Johnny Boychuk is a menace. First he breaks Brendan Gallagher's fingers, now he's destroying his own teammates' legs. Be careful out there, Johnny.