New York Islanders captain Anders Lee has elevated his game when the team needed it, serving as an unsung hero during their current three-game winning streak.
The New York Islanders are back in a playoff spot after winning their last three games.
The most significant change has been Mathew Barzal and Bo Horvat's return together. Horvat leads the way with three goals, while Barzal leads the way with four assists.
Kyle Palmieri's consistency has continued, with a goal and two assists, including a huge empty-net goal to secure their win against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Thursday night.
But there have been unsung heroes on this winning streak.
For most of this season, Islanders captain Anders Lee has been ridiculed for his "lack of leadership," especially after his on-ice game was trending in the wrong direction early.
At this point in the year, the stat line doesn't matter, and Lee has raised his game.
In the win against the Philadelphia Flyers on Monday, Lee scored a nifty deflection to give his team the lead at the end of the second:
Ultimately, the Islanders didn't go on, blowing the game with nine seconds to go before Brock Nelson won it in overtime.
Against the Blackhawks, it was Lee's hard work in the corner that led to Simon Holmstrom's go-ahead tally at 9:25 of the third period, which served as the game-winner:
After leaving the game in the final moments of the second period on Thursday, Lee returned in the third, and it was his heads-up play in the final minute of the third -- killing time along the boards in on the forecheck -- before getting the puck to the front of the net for Palmieri to pot the empty-net goal:
Say what you want about Lee, his contract, his leadership, and his commitment to winning.
He's been exceptional for the Islanders right now, credited with a goal and an assist, eight shots, leading the team with 12 scoring chances and eight high-danger chances, and leading the forwards with five shot blocks in 43:13 minutes.
Lee and the Islanders will look to keep the winning going when they host former head coach Barry Trotz and the Nashville Predators on Saturday night at UBS Arena.