New York Islanders: Unlikely hero steps up big time in Game 1

In Game 1, the New York Islanders found an unlikely hero in Josh Bailey.

Josh Bailey is up there as one of the most ridiculed New York Islanders of all-time. Drafted ninth overall back in the 2008 NHL Draft, the Ontario native has never scored more than 20 goals in a given campaign over his 12-year career.

Because of this, the fanbase had a song, used to mock the player. But over the years that mock has turned into a celebratory chant whenever he does light the lamp, and if you are a true Islander fan you know how it goes.

Anytime Bailey scores a goal, this anthem is hollered throughout the arena, as it has now become a tradition that I am sure the 30-year old winger welcomes with open arms. Despite not doing much offensively, there is a reason he has been a staple in this lineup for years.

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The reason he is still playing in the NHL and is still on this Islander roster is his intelligence and versatility. Head coach Barry Trotz stated that he can play him wherever he needs, knowing he will give the same effort and garner the same results.

Under Trotz, Bailey has been able to elevate his game in the playoffs, as over the last two seasons he has been a difference-maker for the team donning the blue and orange. Last night in Game 1 against the Washington Capitals, Bailey did not play well for the first two periods. He was bobbling the puck on the power play, also making errant passes playing five on five.

It just did not seem he knew what was going on. But with his team trailing 2-1 entering the third, Bailey shook off his struggles and put the team on his back. After Anders Lee was able to tie the game up, Bailey helped give the Islanders the lead, as well as an insurance goal, resulting in a 4-2 victory.

After a misplay by Washington Capitals netminder Braden Holtby on the power play, Brock Nelson held possession as he waited for support to make a play.  Bailey made his way into the slot, unguarded, and ready to release the puck whenever it came to his stick. And his shot was perfectly placed, right above Holtby’s right pad to give the Islanders a 3-2 lead.

This short-handed goal would go down as the game-winner, but Bailey’s night was just getting started. After Barzal made a great play to create time and space as he entered the Capitals’ zone, a drop pass to Bailey gave him a prime opportunity to score yet again. But after flubbing the shot, the play could have ended, with a critical opportunity going by the boards.

But Bailey is too smart of a player. After his whiff, he realized that Anthony Beauvillier, the Islanders’ best offensive player so far in this year’s playoffs, was a wide-open back door and in a blink of an eye Bailey was able to get the pass off, as the Islanders now had a two-goal cushion.

“I think with Josh, he is a quiet, very competitive, very intelligent hockey player that when the moment is big, he seems to be very relaxed and poised.” said head coach Barry Trotz during his post-game press conference.

Flashback to Game 1 of the 2019 playoffs against the Pittsburgh Penguins, his calm demeanor sent the Islander faithful into a frenzy at Nassau Coliseum.

In overtime, after Barzal made a handful of incredible moves, the puck would hit the post, and Bailey, realizing what had happened, jumped on the loose puck and scored the overtime winner.

The Islanders would go on to sweep that series, before being swept by the Carolina Hurricanes. Throughout those playoffs, Bailey performed quite well. In eight games, he recorded six points.

With a goal and an assist in Game 1 last night, Bailey now has six points in five games, as his uptick in play has directly impacted the play of his linemates, with Brock Nelson sitting at five points and Beauvillier sitting at six.

If the Islanders want to do more damage in this playoffs, secondary scoring is a necessity. If Bailey can impact the scoreboard like he has been doing, then things bode well for the team from the island.