Not only did the wheels come off for the Islanders during the second period of Sunday’s game against the Devils, but it also potentially put their captain at risk of suspension at a critical juncture with the team’s playoff hopes on the line.
Anders Lee was given a game violation after the Islanders forward connected with the Devils captain’s left knee and hit Nico Hischier with a knee-to-knee hit that went cut and dry over the line.
Hischier went straight to the dressing room and Timo Meier jumped in to protect Hischier, but he returned in the third period.
After Meyer and Lee dropped the gloves, the pair were subject to a major grappling match, with Lee receiving an additional five minutes for a knee strike and match misconduct.
Meyer was also given a two-minute instigator penalty and a 10-minute misconduct penalty.
If the league chooses to take further action regarding Lee’s hit, the Islanders will be without their captain for at least some, if not all, of their three games on the road, starting Thursday in Sunrise, Fla. There is a high possibility that it will.
The Islanders desperately need a win as they fall further back in the standings.
If their captain risks his own rescue efforts, the damage will only become greater.
