:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/59463017/usa_today_10775522.0.jpg)
One of the few bright spots in the New York Islanders’ extremely disappointing season was their top line LW Anders Lee scoring 40 goals. Lee is just the 12th player in franchise history to score 40 goals in a season and the first to do it in 11 years (Jason Blake in 2006-07).
When Lee scored his 40th goal in the final regulation period of the final game of the season, the 4-3 OT win in Detroit, I found myself surprised at how happy I was for him. With the Islanders’ season having gone off the rails, it was hard to get excited about this team over the last few months. But this was a very special achievement for the 5th-year power forward and he deserves the accolade.
Lee has turned himself into one of the best goal scorers in the league over the last few years. Only four players have scored more goals than Lee since the start of last season: Ovechkin, Laine, Kucherov and Malkin. That is elite company. He is a beast around the net, particularly with deflections and tip-ins, the types of shots that are proven to be the most dangerous and likely to result in goals. He’s got the second-most tip-in goals in the NHL over the last three years and has become a formidable weapon on the power play.
When he’s not hanging around the crease, you can find him raising money through his Kancer Jam charity, occupying Kris Letang’s nightmares and giving ‘em hell on the LIRR.
Here’s a video of all 40 goals Anders Lee scored this season.
Congratulations to Anders Lee, and here’s to another 40 next season.