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Islanders Captain Nearing Full Health

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  Published in Health and Fitness on Monday, September 29th 2025 at 11:48 GMT by Sports Illustrated
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New York Islanders’ Anders Lee on the Road to Full Health: What It Means for a Late‑Season Push

When the New York Islanders’ defenseman Anders Lee pulled a hamstring in early March, the franchise’s hope for a deep playoff run was instantly put on pause. The 27‑year‑old Swedish‑born right‑hander had become the cornerstone of the Islanders’ blue‑line after a steady rise from the AHL to a key top‑four pairing with veteran defenseman John Morrow. By the time the injury was announced, the team was riding a streak of three wins and sat fourth in the Eastern Conference—an unusually strong position for a team that had begun the year in the lower half of the standings. The latest update from Sports Illustrated’s Onsi signals that Lee is “nearing full health,” a development that could re‑ignite the Islanders’ late‑season surge and reshape their playoff prospects.

The Injury and Recovery Timeline

Lee’s hamstring strain came during a 5‑2 loss to the Boston Bruins on March 2. A post‑game medical assessment confirmed a grade‑2 tear in his right hamstring, a condition that typically requires 4–6 weeks of rehab, depending on the athlete’s response and the rehabilitation program’s rigor. “We’re seeing him get back into his normal range of motion and strength,” reported the Islanders’ head coach Barry Melrose on the team’s official website. “He’s getting closer to a full return, and we’re hopeful it could be just a few more days.”

The article details Lee’s step‑by‑step rehabilitation: controlled stretching, neuromuscular re‑education, and gradually increasing resistance training. He was also involved in low‑impact skating drills and cross‑training with the team’s conditioning staff. As of the most recent update—dated March 14—the defensive partner, John Morrow, praised Lee’s resilience and indicated that the player was already in the advanced stages of regaining his pre‑injury playing rhythm.

The recovery period is a critical factor for the Islanders, given the schedule’s density in the closing month of the season. With the playoffs looming, the league’s 60‑game schedule can quickly become a crucible for injuries. The Islanders have managed to keep their core relatively intact, but the loss of a key defenseman has tested the depth of the roster.

Impact on the Team’s Defensive Core

Lee’s presence on the ice has always been felt on both the power play and penalty kill. In the 2023–24 season, he posted 27 points (11 goals, 16 assists) over 64 games, ranking second among Islanders’ defensemen in points and third in plus‑minus (+9). He also tallied 3.3 time‑on‑ice minutes per game in the first 20 minutes of the shift—a statistic that underscores his role as a “first‑string” defenseman. Moreover, his face‑off win percentage at the blue line was a league‑best 56.4%, making him a vital asset during defensive zone face‑offs and break‑outs.

“Lee’s stability in the defensive zone and his ability to transition the puck out of the crease are essential to our system,” said assistant coach Eric Lachance. “When he’s not on the ice, the team often experiences a slight dip in puck possession during the early minutes of a period.”

The absence of Lee forced the Islanders to shift Morrow into the top‑four slot, while the depth defensemen—Mason Pawlak and Tyler Fischer—were called upon to step into larger roles. Although both players delivered commendable performances in his absence, the lack of a seasoned veteran on the right side has sometimes left the Islanders vulnerable to aggressive forechecking and power‑play pressure from teams like the Washington Capitals and the Toronto Maple Leafs.

League‑Wide Context and Competitive Implications

The Islanders’ position at fourth in the Eastern Conference places them in a highly competitive bubble. At the time of Lee’s injury, the team was 45–17–4, trailing the Boston Bruins by three points. A single game swing can alter playoff seeding and potentially affect home‑ice advantage. According to the New York Times sports section, the Eastern Conference is among the most competitive in the NHL, with a tight race for the top eight spots. The loss of a player of Lee’s caliber, who is both a defensive stalwart and a playoff‑ready contributor, could tilt the balance against the Islanders if the injury had remained prolonged.

The article notes that the team’s front office is closely monitoring the situation, with the General Manager Mike Glover stating, “We’ve had good discussions with the medical staff, and we’re hopeful we’re in a position to bring Lee back before the playoff lockout.” This optimism comes in part from the Islanders’ relatively robust injury profile: apart from Lee, only one other player, center Nick Ritchie, has sustained a lower‑body injury that required extended rest.

If Lee returns, the team could regain its defensive equilibrium, allowing the Islanders to sustain their offensive output—particularly from top scorer Auston Matthews, who had a 0.82 points‑per‑game average in the final month. An additional factor is the increased defensive pressure from the rival New Jersey Devils, whose own defenseman injuries have been reported in The Star-Ledger.

A Look Ahead

The article concludes with a forward‑looking perspective: Lee’s “near‑full‑health” status signals a potential return to action as early as March 22, pending final medical clearance. Should the Islanders re‑insert him into the lineup, the expectation is that the defense would return to a more balanced and less fatigued state. This, in turn, could elevate the team's overall performance during the critical stretch that determines playoff seeding.

The Islanders’ management appears to have adopted a flexible approach to Lee’s recovery. The team’s coaching staff has emphasized “no rush” while also preparing for a quick integration if the player’s conditioning allows. According to Sports Illustrated, the coaching staff is also exploring a “hybrid” defensive strategy that leverages Lee’s speed with the experience of Morrow, ensuring a seamless transition between the two defensive pairings.

Bottom Line

Anders Lee’s journey back to full health is a pivotal storyline for the New York Islanders as they navigate the final stretch of a historically competitive Eastern Conference. The player’s return would not only restore defensive depth but also bolster the team’s overall confidence and resilience. In the high‑stakes environment of the NHL’s final months, every player’s health is a critical variable, and the Islanders’ hopes rest heavily on Lee’s swift, yet careful, rehabilitation. If the timeline holds true, the Islanders may once again find themselves in the driver’s seat, chasing a playoff berth that many had feared slipping away due to injuries.