With the 2016 NHL playoffs just around the corner, the New York Islanders are dropping like flies. Already, the team has lost netminder Jaroslav Halak and big blueliner Travis Hamonic, leaving them vulnerable, even as they continue to find a way to win with their backs pinned against the wall.
But while Halak and Hamonic are expected to return at some point after the end of the regular season, it sounds like the latest injury, to rising forward Anders Lee, is much more severe.
Lee suffered a broken leg during the Isles' Thursday victory over their fellow New York-based NHL squad, the Rangers. Lee was actually struck by a point blast from teammate Johnny Boychuk in the first period.
At this point, it seems no decision has been made regarding a surgical procedure for Lee, but it's a near certainty that he won't be able to return for the playoffs.
As of Friday, the Islanders look set for a first-round matchup against the suddenly red hot Pittsburgh Penguins. The Pens are 10-0-1 in their last 11 games, and are undefeated in their last nine. They'll ride into the playoffs as potentially the best team - or at least the team playing the best brand of hockey - in the entire NHL.
As such, the loss of a guy like Lee, who may not play as prominent a role as Hamonic or Halak, but who is an important piece of the Isles offense, will sting.
Lee, though he may not have been named, was probably one of the secondary pieces that New York head coach Jack Capuano felt needed to "pick their s-t up" if the Islanders were going to go on a deep run into the NHL playoffs.
Lee, after posting an impressive 25 goals and 41 points in 2014-15, managed just 15 goals this season, though he upped his assist total quite a bit.
That being said, Lee looked to be rounding into form just in time for the postseason, scoring goals in recent games against the Hurricanes, Blue Jackets and Capitals.
With his loss, the other guys that Capuano was willing to mention by name - Brock Nelson, Ryan Strome and Josh Bailey - will need to pick their "s-t" up to an even greater degree, especially against the offensive powerhouse that is Pittsburgh.
Otherwise, it's bound to be a short playoff run.
