New Lee Islanders captain Anders Lee knocked Washington Capitals forward Nicklas Backstrom out of the opener of Wednesday night’s first round, setting the tone with a big hit that “late” and “predatory” Washington coach Todd Reirden called.
Reirden did not have an update on Backstrom, who appeared to be looking the other way and did not have the puck when he was equalized by a shoulder-to-shoulder hit from Lee, just 2½ minutes into the first period.
“I tried to throw the brakes there a bit, but I caught him,” said Lee, who was fined for interference. “The end result after that was a penalty, a few fights. It was settled and then the game went on.”
Lee came up in two fights, the first with defender John Carlson right after bowling over Backstrom with a heavy hit. He then fought Tom Wilson later in the period in which he was targeted for the hit, which allowed Backstrom not to return after seven shifts.
Carlson described Lee’s hit as appearing “real filth to me.”
Islanders coach Barry Trotz, in his second year with New York after coaching the Capitals to win the Stanley Cup in 2018, said it came as no surprise to him that his former team was not happy with Lee.
“Playoff hockey should be like Anders’ Wheelhouse, if you will,” Trotz said. “He’s big. He’s strong. He scored an important goal. He had a hit. And he responded to Wilson’s challenge. What more could you ask of a leader?”
The Islanders overcame a deficit of two goals and won 4-2. Game 2 is Friday night.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
.
