Recap: Islanders 3, Blues 2

Anders Lee's second goal broke open a 2-2 tie in the third period on Thursday night, as the New York Islanders beat the St. Louis Blues 3-2 at Barlcays Center.
Lee's goal - his seventh in his last eight games - powered the Islanders to their fifth win in six games, extending their overall point streak to six games (5-0-1).

"We needed everyone to step up five or six games ago and I think we've done that as a collective effort and that's what makes this little run special," Lee said. "To be a part of it is a lot of fun."
On the winner, Lee posted up behind Casey Cizikas on an offensive zone draw, taking the faceoff win and one-timing it past Blues goalie Jake Allen at 12:42. Lee, who usually scores in front of the net, called it a seeing-eye shot?

"Great job by Casey and one that found its way," Lee said. "We run those kind of plays all the time, it's just tough - if you look at the replay I'm sure it went through three or four guys."
Thomas Greiss made 24 saves in the win, while John Tavares rounded out the scoring with a jaw-dropping goal in the first period. Robby Fabbri and Kyle Brodziak scored for the Blues. But while the Islanders were happy to extend their point streak, they were happier about the way they did it, winning a tie game in the third period without having to go to overtime.
"We've been playing with some resiliency and emotion to our game," head coach Jack Capuano said. "Whether they tie it up or we're down one we have that no-quit attitude and we have our identity back a little bit."

St. Louis took an early 1-0 lead, with Fabbri potting a Vladimir Tarasenko rebound on a 2-on-1 rush, but the Islanders got it back quickly. Lee tipped his seventh goal of the season past Jake Allen 12 seconds into the Islanders' first power play, which found the back of the net for a second straight game.
Between the two Lee goals and before the Brodziak marker, Tavares provided a wow moment, scoring a goal-of-the-year candidate to put the Islanders up 2-1. With defenseman Jay Bouwmeester draped all over Tavares, the captain maneuvered his stick around his back to switch hands, shed the check, turned around in the slot and beat Allen up high.
"He's one of a handful of guys who can pull that off," Cal Clutterbuck said.

Fabbri had a hand in the Blues' second goal, absorbing a hit from Travis Hamonic and dishing the puck to Kyle Brodziak who beat Greiss low to tie the game 2-2. But the Islanders regrouped, scored the go-ahead goal and clamped down defensively, getting clutch saves from Greiss - who stopped a Tarasenko wrister in the final five minutes - down the stretch.
"If we continue to work and do the things we need to do we proved that we can beat some top teams in this league," Capuano said. "We are a good hockey team, we have good character, we have good leadership, let's stay the course, compete and play hard."

NEXT GAME:

The Islanders take on the Columbus Blue Jackets on Saturday night at Nationwide Arena. Puck drop is at 7 p.m.