Lehner dominates ex-team to help Trotz snag milestone victory

BUFFALO — Robin Lehner made an emotional return to Buffalo and led the Islanders to a milestone victory for coach Barry Trotz.
Lehner made 39 saves against his former team as the Islanders beat the Sabres 3-1 on Monday night.

The Islanders’ fourth straight victory moved Trotz into fourth place on the NHL’s all-time win list with 783, moving him ahead of Islanders franchise legend Al Arbour.

“You get into coaching, you talk about certain names that you have respect for,” Trotz said before Monday’s game. “When you hear someone say, ‘Hey, you and Al Arbour,’ I feel a little out of place. It’s a total honor to be even mentioned.”

Trotz said the Islanders players understood the significance of his passing Arbour, but the team was more proud of getting a win for Lehner in his first game back in Buffalo since March 29.

Lehner left that game against Detroit because of a panic attack and was subsequently treated for alcohol addiction and also diagnosed with bipolar disorder, ADHD and PTSD. He signed with the Islanders in July after three seasons with the Sabres.

“This one felt good,” Lehner said. “It was probably the hardest game I’ve played in my career. I don’t know why. It’s just a really weird feeling for me. I struggled [mentally] a little bit in the beginning of the game. It just felt weird. Somehow just got in the flow.”

Lehner continued his hot play, winning his fourth start in a row and allowing one goal or fewer in regulation for the seventh time in eight games.

“He was unbelievable,” defenseman Nick Leddy said. “He made some extremely timely saves and he was our best player.”

Leddy, Brock Nelson and Ryan Pulock scored for the Islanders, who won for the seventh time in eight games.

Trotz’s milestone victory comes in his first season with the Islanders. After coaching the Washington Capitals to the Stanley Cup last season, Trotz resigned following a contract dispute. He led the Capitals to 205 regular-season victories in four years and had 557 wins in 15 seasons with the Predators.