Tsyplakov Chat Despite a 3-1 loss to the Los Angeles Kings on Tuesday, New York Islanders captain Anders Lee continued what's been an incredibly strong first half of the 2024-25 season. With his second-period goal, he not only continues to lead the team with 13, but he also passed John Tavares on the team's all-time goals list, moving into eighth place: "He came into camp ready, and from day one, he's been working really hard and showing a lot of consistency," Islanders head coach Patrick Roy said. "It's nice for him to be in the position that he is today on the history of the Islanders, and I'm sure he wants more. So, hopefully, he's going to continue to get higher in that." Across his 13-season career, all spent with the Islanders, he boasts 273 goals and 204 assists for 477 points. In 30 games this season, he's scored 13 goals with 11 assists for 24 points. Even with consistent changes to his linemates, he's continued to perform well. Across an 82-game pace, he's projected to have 35 goals and 30 assists for 65 points. The 35 goals would be the most for him in a season since 2016-17, when he recorded 34, and the second-most for him in a single season in his career. The 30 helpers would also set a career high. A lot of his success has come from an increased shooting rate. Lee is averaging 3.1 shots per game, culminating in an 82-game pace of about 254. This would shatter a career high (208 shots in 2017-18). Even though his shooting percentage of 14% this season is relatively close to his career average of 13.8%, he's been making the most of his opportunities. Lee also continues to be a consistent presence at the front of the net. Largely known for his ability to get rebounds or in-tight shots, he continues to generate opportunities for his team to capitalize. According to NHL Edge, Lee is shooting 20.8% on high-danger shots, up from 13% last year. This stat is one of, if not the biggest, changes from last season to this one. Back on the history front, if he were to hit his projected goal mark, he could finish the season as high as sixth on the team's all-time goals list. Brock Nelson sits ahead of him with 285 and could pass Brent Sutter and Pat LaFontaine for fifth before the end of the season; both have 287 red lights in their careers. With Lee also boasting another year on his deal after this one, how high he could finish on the Islanders' all-time scoring lists is a fascinating possibility. Wearing the "C" on his jersey, winning the King Clancy, and all the big moments have created a strong Islanders career, and he's continuing to write a strong chapter this season. The focus is on this season, and he's doing his part in trying to lead this team, off but most importantly, on the ice back to the playoffs for a third straight campaign.
