The Unorthodox Islanders’ New Top Line Finding Its Groove: ‘We’re Feeding Into Each Other’s Strengths’

The New York Islanders have been heavily hampered by injuries the past two weeks.

Defensemen Adam Pelech, Alexander Romanov, and Mike Reilly are all out due to upper-body injuries, and the forward group is down Mathew Barzal and Anthony Duclair.

However, despite all the turnover, the team has managed to survive, in large part due to their new top line of Anders Lee, Bo Horvat, and Jean-Gabriel Pageau.

The three were put together for the Islanders’ game against the Buffalo Sabres last Friday, the day it was announced Barzal suffered an upper-body injury that would keep him out of the lineup for 4-6 weeks.

Related: Islanders Place Barzal On Long-Term Injured Reserve, Pelech On Injured Reserve, Recall Hutton & Bolduc

Roy is big on his duos, which is why he took Lee and Pageau and put both on Horvat’s wing.

Since then, the three have had strong chemistry to provide the spark this battered group needed.

They dominated in the 4-3 win against the Buffalo Sabres, and although they failed to bury their chances against the New York Rangers, they bounced back, helping the Islanders mount their third-period comeback in a 4-3 shootout win over the Pittsburgh Penguins on Tuesday.

Against the Ottawa Senators on Thursday, a 4-2 win, all three recorded at least a point.

Starting with Lee, the Islanders captain, he has points in all four games since being elevated, totaling a goal and five assists in that span.

In addition to opening the scoring Thursday, he has a helper in four straight games. According to MSG’s Eric Hornick, it’s the fifth time in his career he’s done that.

Yes, you saw that Horvat pass?

He’s up next.

Horvat was held scoreless against the New York Rangers on Sunday, but he stole the show with three points against Ottawa.

In addition to an empty-net goal and his assists to Lee, Horvat added another helper, springing Pageau on a breakaway later in the middle frame.

While Pageau hasn’t had the highest overall point production, he’s scored three goals in big spots over these last four games.

He buried an insurance marker that proved to be the game-winner against Buffalo, a third-period goal to tie their matchup against the Pittsburgh Penguins, and that second goal against Ottawa.

Uniquely enough, on all three of Pageau’s goals, all three members of the line got a point.

On Thursday’s goal, Lee won a board battle that gave Horvat a chance to outlet the puck to Pageau, who broke in and beat Anton Forsberg to give New York a 2-0 lead:

Hard work was also a trend on Tuesday against Pittsburgh.

Lee won a net-front battle and, while he was unsuccessful in his attempt, got the puck to the corner where Horvat won the race.

He then threaded the needle to Pageau before No. 44 let one fly past Alex Nedeljkovic, tying the game and setting up an Islanders shootout win.

Horvat had the shootout winner, by the way.

While hard work is noticeable on all these efforts, there’s also the flashy plays to go with it, like that Horvat backhand pass.

The trio is just in sync right now.

“We played simple. I thought Bo and Pageau both had great games,” Lee said after the win in Ottawa. “They’re solid in the circle, but we’re finding our spots with each other. I think the chemistry is there and our understanding of where each one wants to be. The communication is great, and we’re feeding into each other’s strengths.

“And when those things happen, good pucks get on your stick, and you can make plays. And I thought Bo and Pager did a great job of that tonight.”

Since Barzal’s injury, New York has gone 3-1-0 with their new line combinations.

When the three have been on the ice at even strength (52:19 TOI), the Islanders have outshot their opponents 34-30, outscoring them 5-3.

While Barzal and Duclair’s absences are still felt, Lee, Horvat and Pageau have stepped up their game immensely and have given New York confidence while they are away.

The three will look to continue to work their magic on Saturday against the New Jersey Devils.