New York Islanders: 3 stars of from the first 30 games of the season

Oh captain, my captain

Anders Lee is the staple of this franchise. He is the captain and the guy who will hopefully actually sign here long-term and commit to this organization.

If he does, it won’t blemish the team like the captain before him leaving did, but that is not what this article is about.

In the 30 games this season, which is what this article is about, Lee has been the best Islanders player.

He does not have the most points on the team. He does, however, have the most goals. He also has the third most points on the team, so he’s not far off.

But, the best thing about Lee is his balance and efficiency.

He has the same amount of goals as assists with 11 each. He has a +4 rating, and a GWG.

He does a little bit of everything well.

To blame Anders Lee for the problems of the top six on the Islanders would be wrong. He is doing his job.

We know he is goal scorer mostly, he notched 40 just last year. But his job this year was to captain the Islanders and pick up the scraps and step up where needed.

For that, those intangible things, passing a little more, the positive rating, and being the leader on the ice he deserves the number one star.

Mathew Barzal is a stud, don’t get me wrong, but his game is not nearly balanced as Lee’s it is not supposed to be, but still not where I want him yet.

Anders Lee has not only been the best Islander through 30 games, he has been the most important. He is leading by example.