Islanders' Anthony Beauvillier always enjoys facing his hometown Canadiens
Anthony Beauvillier of the Islanders looks on against the Flyers at Barclays Center on Sept. 18. Credit: Steven Ryan
Anthony Beauvillier still gets that special feeling every time he faces the Canadiens.
“Just looking on the other side for warmups, seeing that jersey that I used to wear going to games and wanting to play for when I grew up, it’s always special to play them,” Beauvillier said.
The Islanders’ 4-3, five-round shootout loss Monday night at Barclays Center marked the seventh time the 21-year-old left wing, originally from Sorel-Tracy, Quebec, about an hour from Montreal, has faced the Canadiens.
He has two goals and an assist overall against the Habs after logging 16:22 without a point on two shots, including a partial breakaway in the second period, on Monday.
“Everyone back home is watching,” Beauvillier said. “It’s impressive for your friends to see me play against them. Always more people text me that day, wishing me good luck.”
Beauvillier still has only one goal in 13 games after compiling 21 goals and 15 assists last season.
“The easy thing is to take a young guy out and say he’s not producing,” coach Barry Trotz said. “I’d prefer a young guy to work through something and figure it out. I think he’s starting to.”
Lehner’s turn?
Trotz hinted Robin Lehner would be back in net Thursday night when the Islanders open a two-game Florida swing against the Lightning. Lehner was unable to dress for Thursday’s 3-2 shootout win over the visiting Penguins because of back spasms.
“I went back and forth on my decision,” Trotz said of starting Thomas Greiss against the Canadiens. “Both of the goalies have been really good but I really felt with Robin having not played and coming back from that, the more time I can give him, the better. We’ll start getting him back in, maybe as soon as Tampa.”
Notes & quotes
Left wing Matt Martin (upper body/day-to-day) missed his second straight game … Center Casey Cizikas won nine of 10 faceoffs … Right wing Tom Kuhnhackl was recalled from Bridgeport (AHL) after one game with the Sound Tigers. He and defenseman Luca Sbisa were the healthy scratches.
Andrew Gross joined Newsday in 2018 to cover the Islanders. He began reporting on the NHL in 2003 and has previously covered the Rangers and Devils. Other assignments have included the Jets, St. John’s and MLB.
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