Anders Lee scores twice as Islanders blank Rangers

[January 15, 2021]  Anders Lee scored two goals as the visiting New York Islanders recorded a 4-0 victory over the New York Rangers on Thursday night at Madison Square Garden.

The first of eight meetings between the rivals easily went to the Islanders, who scored twice in the opening 3:52 and held a three-goal lead after the first period.

Brock Nelson added a power-play goal and Mathew Barzal also scored for the Islanders. Nick Leddy collected two assists for the Islanders, who were 2 of 8 on the power play.

Semyon Varlamov began his second season with the Islanders by making 24 saves. Varlamov was seldom tested while posting his 28th career regular-season shutout.

The Rangers played their first game without Henrik Lundqvist on the opening-night roster since the 2005-06 season.

Igor Shesterkin experienced a rough season debut while making 29 saves. He became the 10th Rangers rookie goaltender to start a season opener and first since 1981.

Shesterkin withstood a collision in the crease with 11:15 remaining. After making a diving save on Lee, Jordan Eberle crashed into him, and following a visit from trainer Jim Ramsay, Shesterkin stayed in.

The Islanders jumped out ahead at 2:33 on their first power play when Nelson deflected a shot by Anthony Beauvillier from the left circle into the net. Just 79 seconds later, Lee decided against heading to the bench on a line change and slid a wrist shot over Shesterkin's right glove on a two-on-one break.

New York Rangers defenseman K'Andre Miller (79) controls the puck against New York Islanders left wing Kieffer Bellows (20) at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Bennett/Pool Photo via USA TODAY Sports

Barzal made it 3-0 with 6:09 left in the first by sliding a backhander from near the left circle under Rangers defenseman Tony DeAngelo's skate and past Shesterkin.

Lee capped the scoring with 5:06 remaining in the second when he tapped Eberle's shot past Shesterkin's stick. The goal was originally credited to Lee, was credited to Eberle during the second intermission, then was given back to Lee postgame.

Before the Islanders took a four-goal lead, the Rangers appeared to score with 10:45 left in the second when defenseman Jacob Trouba jammed in a loose puck, but officials lost sight of the puck, waved it off and confirmed it on a replay review.

The Islanders appeared to take a 5-0 lead with 11:15 remaining when Ryan Pulock pushed in a loose puck off a scramble, but after the Rangers challenged for goaltender's interference, officials overturned it.

--Field Level Media

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