Anders Lee scored twice and had two assists, and David Rittich made 31 saves as the New York Islanders beat the Anaheim Ducks 5-2

Islanders forward Bo Horvat, who leads the team with 19 goals this season, left at 13:08 of the second period with a lower-body injury. His left leg got tangled up with the skate of Ducks defenseman Drew Helleson, causing him to go down awkwardly.

The Islanders are on pace for 102 points and sit second in the East. The standings can shift quickly, though, and prudence may be wise.

Islanders' stingy defense stifled the Ducks' offense, exploiting penalty kill weaknesses and limiting chances despite Anaheim's shot attempt volume.

Anaheim has three players (Leo Carlsson, Cutter Gauthier and Troy Terry) with over 30 points this season. Carlsson leads the way with 38 points (16G, 22A). Carlsson is tied with Jack Eichel and Mark Scheifele for the eighth most points in the NHL this season.

Sitting six games above NHL .500, the Isles are in the thick of the Metropolitan Division race and have the look of a playoff team as we head towards the holidays. Perhaps most encouraging is the fact that the Islanders are sitting in a good spot despite playing the toughest schedule in the NHL this season.

On Tuesday night, the New York Islanders and Anaheim Ducks each helped bolster the other's surprising early-season surge.

After 13 years as a Ranger, franchise legend Chris Kreider returns to Madison Square Garden with a healthy body, healthy mind and a rising start to his tenure with Anaheim. However, New York City will always be "home.