New York: When you’re up, you’re up, and when you’re down, you’re down

March 18, 2021
The GIST: On today’s docket? Injury updates, blow-out games, and international intrigue. Yep, sounds like just another week in New York sports.
Sports NewsBasketballHockey
New York: When you’re up, you’re up, and when you’re down, you’re down
Source: AP Photo

Islanders: Isles captain and star left winger Anders Lee is out for the season after tearing his ACL last week. Our hearts break for Lee, but thankfully his doctors expect a full recovery and have already scheduled surgery for later this week.

  • But where does that leave the team? Well, in their third game without Lee, the Isles’ nine-game winning streak came to end. They lost 3–1 to the Washington Capitals, who then overtook the Isles for the top spot in the East Division.
  • The team will likely try to add some snipers to make up for Lee, who’s tied with center Brock Nelson as the Isles’ leading scorer. But the front office better move fast, because the Isles only have more tough games ahead.

Rangers: The Rangers’ star left winger, Artemi Panarin (AR-TEE-MEE PAN-UH-RIN), returned to the ice on Saturday after taking a nine-game leave of absence in response to allegations brought against him by his former Russian Kontinental Hockey League coach last month.

  • On Monday, he made his first public statement about his time away, saying that while he has nothing to hide, he is waiting to further address “everything” until after the season.
  • Clearly his return has provided a spark for the Rangers, who earned a 9–0 win (yes, you read that right) over the Philadelphia Flyers last night. Consider our interest piqued.