New York Islanders, Anders Lee strike early, hold off Bruins in Boston (Highlights) 2
Dec 20, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; New York Islanders left wing Anders Lee (27) is congratulated by left wing Josh Bailey (12) and center John Tavares (91) after scoring a goal during the first period against the Boston Bruins at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

Anders Lee scored two more goals while helping the New York Islanders take out the Bruins in Boston on Tuesday night. 

  • New York Islanders 4 (12-14-6, 30 pts)
  • Boston Bruins 2 (17-14-3, 37 pts)
  • NHL, Final, Box Score
  • TD Garden, Boston, MA
The New York Islanders got their first goal of the game with just over three minutes drained from the clock and didn’t look back. After withstanding a furious Bruins frenzy, the Islanders came away with a 4-2 victory.

Early Chances

The Islanders followed a similar script when they began in Boston Tuesday night.

They got on the loose pucks early, jumped on their chances and were able to provide some offense early.

Anders Lee was able to capitalize just over three minutes in on a comical turnover by Tuukka Rask as Brad Marchand toppled over him to make it 1-0 Islanders.

Thomas Hickey then came in streaking with John Tavares and Josh Bailey on a three on one.

Hickey needed no assistance in firing home the second goal of the game and increasing the Islanders lead to 2-0.

The Islanders had some chances on a pretty good powerplay in the first period but did not convert.

A Nikolay Kulemin goal came off of a dump in by the Islanders in the second period.

The score would hold through the first two periods of play and apprehension could be felt throughout the Islanders fanbase.

The Devil in the Details

The Islanders do not hold a lead well.

The fact that in the last six games they were outscored 16-0 for goals in the third period should give enough insight into the Islanders defensive woes.

Naturally, when they emerged for the third period and Anton Blidh got his first NHL goal fans collectively thought, “Here we go, again.”

Basically, the Islanders shut down after the first goal. Thomas Greiss was in playoff form and stood on his head saving 48 of 50 shots.

Dominic Moore still managed to get a goal through to make it 3-2 with just under 13 minutes remaining, and fans became absolutely restless.

Jack Capuano called a timeout after Moore’s goal to settle down his group, which nearly bit them in the backside after an offside rush nearly generated a goal.

But the Islanders got an opportune break on the power play after Kevan Miller took a careless tripping penalty.

Lee dug out a puck he deflected from under Anton Khudobin’s pads and put home the deflating goal and the score stood 4-2.

The Islanders will face the Sabres on Friday, which is also Kyle Okposo‘s first homecoming to the Barclays Center after signing with Buffalo in the offseason.

Grew up a diehard Islanders and Mets fan based out of Northern New Jersey. Concluding my Broadcast Communications degree at William Paterson University. WP Sportsdesk member, Stan Fischler correspondent, music buff and total Star Wars freak. Follow my social media handles to learn more. Matt Di Giacomo is a Staff Writer for the Islanders on Elite Sports NY. He encourages team discussion. Tweet him @mdigiacESNY and check out his reviews on YouTube.