Lee's three points help Islanders top Sharks

UNIONDALE, N.Y. --Anders Lee had his first multigoal game of the season, and the New York Islanders moved to within one point of third place in the Metropolitan Division with a 4-1 win against the San Jose Sharks at Nassau Coliseum on Sunday.

The Islanders (35-20-6) are one point behind the Philadelphia Flyers for third, and two points ahead of the Carolina Hurricanes and Columbus Blue Jackets for the first wild card into the Stanley Cup Playoffs from the Eastern Conference.
"Momentum is a day-to-day, minute-to-minute thing in this League," Islanders coach Barry Trotz said. "When you think you've got everything figured out, it absolutely humbles you and embarrasses you, all those things. We've got to keep climbing, just keep climbing."
WATCH: [All Sharks vs. Islanders highlights]
Lee added an assist on Josh Bailey's empty-net goal, Semyon Varlamov made 29 saves, and Mathew Barzal had two assists for New York, which has scored eight goals in consecutive wins after being outscored 11-2 during a four-game road trip (0-4-0).

"[Pucks are] going in," Lee said. "There was a period where we were dry. We were creating opportunities and it was getting frustrating, especially because we weren't winning hockey games. … We just stuck with it and we're getting rewarded for our hard work and effort, and not deviating from what makes us successful."
Dylan Gambrell scored, and Martin Jones made 22 saves for the Sharks (26-32-4), who have lost four straight and are 14 points behind the Arizona Coyotes for the second wild card from the Western Conference.
"We had some good looks, some good deflections and tips in front of [Varlamov], and he made some saves," Sharks coach Bob Boughner said. "The Islanders are pretty tight, they don't give you a lot, but we just couldn't seem to generate any second and third chances around the net."

Boughner said he thinks the Sharks will feel a sense of relief after the 2020 NHL Trade Deadline passes at 3 p.m. ET Monday.
"I think some relief and hopefully we get a couple guys back healthy," Boughner said, adding forwards Melker Karlsson (lower body) and Logan Couture (fractured ankle) are getting close. "Cross our fingers we can start getting back to some kind of semblance of line combinations at least."
Lee gave the Islanders a 1-0 lead at 6:49 of the first period, converting from the left circle on a 2-on-1 with Barzal for his first goal in nine games.
Gambrell scored on a deflection of Radim Simek's shot to tie it 1-1 at 10:36.
Lee scored his second goal at 1:10 of the second period to make it 2-1, taking a pass from Barzal and scoring off the rush with a shot into the top shelf short side from the left circle.
It was his first multigoal game since Jan. 17, 2019.
"[Lee] was sort of snakebit, probably squeezing a little bit," Trotz said. "I thought he played a great game."
Devon Toews made it 3-1 at 17:38 of the second, scoring with a shot from between the circles off a pass from Brock Nelson, who stole the puck from Barclay Goodrow behind the goal line.

"The guy strips me from behind and two seconds later it's in the net," Goodrow said. "It's those little things that are costing us right now."
Lee had a chance for his first NHL hat trick late in the third period when he had the puck on his stick coming down the left wing boards with the Sharks net empty, but he instead passed it to Bailey, who scored from between the circles at 17:41 for the 4-1 final.
"I might go watch the video and regret it," Lee said, laughing. "But the play for me in my eyes was an easy pass over to [Bailey], let's close it out."

They said it

"There's always a lot of unknown at this time of the year. It'll be good to get [the trade deadline] over with." -- Sharks forward Barclay Goodrow
"I think they feel freer now. Just like anything, when it's not going in for you and you're working hard and you get the puck, you just hesitate for that second and look, is there another play? By that time the goalie moves or a player makes a play on you. When you're a little more freer and not squeezing your stick, you get the puck and you don't just throw it, you shoot it and you know where it's going. You make that decision before you get the puck." -- Islanders coach Barry Trotz

Need to know

Barzal has 199 career points (58 goals, 141 assists). … The Islanders have won five straight home games, the past two at Nassau Coliseum after winning the first three at Barclays Center. … Varlamov has started five straight games, allowing eight goals.

What's next

Sharks:At the Philadelphia Flyers on Tuesday (7 p.m. ET; NBCSP, NBCSCA, NHL.TV)
Islanders:Host the New York Rangers on Tuesday (Nassau Coliseum; 7 p.m. ET; ESPN+, MSG+ 2, MSG, NHL.TV)