As the first month of 2020 winds down, Anders Lee and the Islanders sit third in the Metropolitan Division with exactly the same record through 49 games. While it was a rough month as New York went 4-5-2 and lost their best defenseman in Adam Pelech, the Islanders showed signs of life in their final game of January. Noah Dobson’s first NHL goal and Semyon Varlamov shutting out his former team highlighted the month. Before we begin February, let’s take a look back.

JAN. 2: NEW JERSEY: 2, ISLANDERS: 1 AT NYCB LIVE

The Islanders began the new year on a sour note, dropping a 2-1 decision to the lowly Devils. Brock Nelson gave the Islanders a 1-0 lead in the second but was beaten on defensive zone draws late in that period and early in the third that led to the New Jersey goals. Both goaltenders were excellent, with each Varlamov and Mackenzie Blackwood making 29 saves, but the Devils prevailed. Prior to this game, Adam Pelech tore his achilles during off-ice warmups. GM Lou Lamoriello called it a “freak injury.”

JAN. 4: TORONTO: 3, ISLANDERS: 0 AT SCOTIABANK ARENA

The Islanders got shut out for the second time this season thanks to Michael Hutchinson’s 33 save performance. Varlamov’s best efforts were not enough as the Islanders offense couldn’t solve the Leafs’ netminder. There isn’t too much else to say about this game besides that this was the point where offensive concerns began to rise for the Islanders.

JAN. 6: ISLANDERS: 1, COLORADO: 0 AT NYCB LIVE

In his first game against his former team, Varlamov put together a 32-save shutout to lead the Islanders the victory. The Avalanche came in as the top offensive team in the league. Anders Lee scored the game’s only goal with just over 13 minutes to go in the third. The Islanders’ first win of 2020 was impressive considering the competition they faced and a good sign for the defense, but the offense still left much to be desired.

JAN. 7: ISLANDERS: 4, NEW JERSEY: 3 (OT) AT PRUDENTIAL CENTER

No offensive concerns here as the Islanders got revenge on the Devils in a back and forth affair. Kyle Palmieri gave New Jersey the lead on a power-play goal with under nine to play in the third but Tom Kuhnhackl tied the game back up with a wrister from the point that went off a Devil defender. In an overtime riddled with odd-man rushes and bad line changes, Anders Lee took advantage of a 3-on-1, picking the corner over Mackenzie Blackwood’s stick. Thomas Greiss did enough for the win, his first of 2020.

JAN. 11: BOSTON: 3, ISLANDERS: 2 (OT) AT BARCLAYS CENTER

Another tough matchup for the Islanders was the Boston Bruins out for revenge. Scott Mayfield gave the Islanders the lead in the first but Jake Debrusk tied it in the second and John Moore gave the Bruins a lead in the third. Mat Barzal pulled the game even with just under 10 minutes to go. After Nelson was given a tripping penalty in overtime, Patrice Bergeron beat Varlamov from the slot on the power play to end the game. Varlamov was outdueled by Tuukka Rask who made 35 saves.

JAN. 13: RANGERS: 6, ISLANDERS: 2 AT MADISON SQUARE GARDEN

Jordan Eberle gave the Islanders the lead 18 seconds into their first matchup with the Rangers this season. It all went downhill from there. When it was all said and done, Artemi Panarin torched the Islanders for five points in his first taste of the rivalry. The game included a few fights as well. It was a heated start to a period of three matchups in nine days between the two teams.

JAN. 14: ISLANDERS: 8, DETROIT: 2 AT NYCB LIVE

Three goals in the first 7:54 set the tone for the largest offensive output for the Islanders under Barry Trotz. Nelson scored twice, Dobson notched his first career goal and Eberle’s assist on Anders Lee’s goal was his 500th career point in the NHL. It was a feel-good game that helped erase the bad taste left by the Rangers just a day prior.

JAN. 16: RANGERS: 3, ISLANDERS: 2 AT NYCB LIVE

A controversial game that added more fuel to the fire when it comes to the New York rivalry. With under a minute to go in a 2-2 game, Derick Brassard was given a controversial cross-checking penalty while battling with Jesper Fast in the corner. Chris Kreider banged home the game-winner with 25 seconds left, leaving half of the Coliseum crowd stunned and the other half cheering. This was probably the most gut-wrenching loss of the season to date, but the Islanders would have one more chance for redemption before the All-Star break.

JAN. 18: WASHINGTON: 6, ISLANDERS: 4 AT NYCB LIVE

This game is also on the list of most gut-wrenching losses of the season. Devon Toews put the Islanders up 4-1 late in the second period and mocked Evgeny Kusnetsov’s eagle celebration. The Capitals responded with five straight goals in the third period. Alex Ovechkin passed Mario Lemieux and tied Steve Yzerman for ninth on the all-time goals list while grabbing his second hat-trick in as many games. The Islanders’ defense looked like they missed Pelech in this one as they did at the Garden five days earlier.

JAN. 19: CAROLINA: 2, ISLANDERS: 1 (SO) AT PNC ARENA

Justin Williams played the hero in his season debut with the Hurricanes. Andrei Svechnikov scored early in the first and Anders Lee scored late in the second for the only goals before the shootout. After a back-and-forth first three rounds, no goals were scored until Williams beat Greiss in the 8th round. Anders Lee couldn’t beat James Reimer for a second time that evening, ending the game. The offensive concerns arose once again as the Islanders only scored once on 27 shots in regulation.

JAN. 21: ISLANDERS: 4, RANGERS: 2 AT MADISON SQUARE GARDEN

The third time was the charm for the Islanders as they were able to defeat the Rangers and head into the All-Star break on a high note. Nelson scored his 20th goal of the season to make it 4-0 early in the third. A late double-minor to Mayfield helped the Rangers get back into the game but it was too little too late. Greiss had a fantastic game in goal making 40 saves while Josh Bailey helped out with a goal and two assists.
The Islanders ended a month they likely would like to put behind them on a high note. Still in the playoff picture and a top team in the league, there’s still time for New York to get back to their winning ways despite a tight Metropolitan Division. They’ll look to get momentum rolling in February, beginning with three straight home games against Western Conference opponents.

John Smark