Couture hat trick goes to waste
NEW YORK — When the New York Islanders needed a big play against the Sharks on Saturday, Anders Lee came through.
Lee had two goals and an assist to lead the Islanders to a 5-3 victory over San Jose for New York’s third win in four games. Lee’s goal in the first period tied the score and his third-period tally gave his team a much-needed cushion.
Logan Couture scored all three goals for the Sharks, completing the hat trick with 1:52 remaining to pull his team within one. San Jose goalie Aaron Dell finished with 18 saves.
“We didn’t defend well,” Couture said. “We gave them some grade-A chances. Just mistakes. I don’t know if was mental or physical from being tired. We need to avoid those.”
John Tavares added an empty-netter and assisted on both of Lee’s goals for his first points since he had two goals and an assist Oct. 7 against Buffalo, ending a five-game drought.
“We had a good break in on the first one,” Lee said. “Johnny made a great play over to (Nick Leddy) who used his speed and took it wide. I was able to find a soft spot in the slot there. Then obviously on the second one, just a great play by Johnny. Two great plays by two great players and they were big for us tonight.”
Josh Bailey added a goal and an assist, Andrew Ladd also scored and former Sharks goalie Thomas Greiss made 28 saves as the Islanders won back-to-back games for the first time this season.
“We looked a little faster and we did look like we were playing with confidence most of the game,” Islanders coach Doug Weight said. “We played on our toes and we were aggressive, and I liked their game. I thought the first period was probably the best of the year.”
Ladd’s goal at 3:12 of the third period broke a 2-2 tie. Rookie Mathew Barzal created the scoring chance by taking the puck around the net and then setting up Ladd in the high slot. Lee’s second of the game and fifth of the season gave the Islanders a two-goal lead with 8:13 remaining as he converted an odd-man rush.