Lee Livens Up Isles in Game 1 Victory

In Game 1, Anders Lee answered the bell.

The Islanders captain had an impact in his team's inspiring 4-2, Game 1 victory over the Washington Capitals at Scotiabank Arena.

Lee finished the game with a clutch, game-tying goal on the first shift of the third period, had a fight with one of the toughest guys in the league and registered three shots on goal. He was just one assist short of earning a Gordie Howe hat trick.

Video: Islanders score four unanswered in Game 1 win

"Playoff hockey should be right up Anders' wheelhouse," Head Coach Barry Trotz said. "He's big, he's strong, he's scored an important goal. He had a hit. He responded to Wilson's challenge. What else can you ask from a leader and what he brings to our hockey club. These are two big teams that play hard. Anders is a big piece of us."

Just under three minutes into the game as the Caps battled for a puck below the Isles' goal line, Lee collided with Nicklas Backstrom as the Washington center skated above the right faceoff circle. Backstrom sustained the worst of the clash and played a few more shifts before he did not return for the remainder of the game to start the second period.

Lee was assessed for interference against Backstrom and roughing on John Carlson, who also went to the box for roughing.

"You show up. You play hard. You do your job and things like that are going to happen," Lee said.

Video: Islanders score four unanswered in Game 1 win

With 2:47 left on the clock for the first period, Lee accepted the challenge propositioned by Washington's agitator, Tom Wilson. The brawny wingers both dropped the gloves in front of the Caps' bench. Both Lee and Wilson were sent to the dressing room for the remainder of the period and received penalties for fighting.

"We knew it was going to be a physical game, a physical night and a physical series," Lee added. "I tried to throw the breaks on a little bit there, but I caught [Backstrom]. The end result after that, the penalty and a couple of fights. It was settled and then the game continued on."

The first period set the tone and the Isles captain didn't back down, in alignment, his team didn't waver.

After going down two goals, both scored on the power play, the Isles clawed their way back with four unanswered goals of their own, including one shorthanded. After Lee's line-mate Jordan Eberle put the Isles on the board in the waning minutes of the second period, the group was revved up.

Lee jump-started the Isles' engine in the beginning of the third period and scored the first of a sequence that would finish the Caps off. In a gritty fashion, the left winger jostled his way into the paint to bury a rebound from a Ryan Pulock point shot.

"You get that goal right at the start of the third period [from Lee] gets the motor going a little bit more," Lee's other linemate, Mathew Barzal - who had two assists - said. "It was a full-team effort tonight. As a line, I really liked what we brought to the table."

The Isles stayed the course true to their process for the remainder of the game and were rewarded for their persistence. With a headstrong performance from their captain, from the drop of the puck and until the final buzzer to establish an unrelenting spirit of play, it was only inevitable that the Isles would follow suit.

"Leezy stepped up," Bailey said. "That was a huge goal for him in the third. He definitely earned it tonight. He was our first star."