Isles' Josh Bailey proving his worth
Islanders right wing Josh Bailey, center, celebrates his goal with teammates during the second period against the Penguins at Barclays Center on Thursday. Credit: Kathleen Malone-Van Dyke
Barry Trotz couldn’t help it. As an opposing coach, he associated Josh Bailey with John Tavares.
But right wing Bailey, with Brock Nelson now in between him and new Islanders captain Anders Lee, is showing he can get along without old linemate Tavares just fine.
Bailey brings a team-high seven-game point streak (two goals, seven assists) into Saturday night’s game against the Devils at Barclays Center. The Islanders (7-4-1) have won four straight.
“I’ve really not thought about that,” Bailey said when asked about proving he can be just as effective without Tavares. “I know people try to make those parallels, and that’s fine. That’s not something that goes through my mind. I enjoyed playing with Johnny and I’m really enjoying playing with Brock and Leesy right now, too.”
Bailey has three goals and 10 assists this season after scoring a shorthanded goal and the shootout winner in a 3-2 victory over the visiting Penguins on Thursday night.
He was selected as a Metropolitan Division All-Star last season — the squad was coached by Trotz, then with the Capitals — as he notched career highs with 18 goals and 53 assists. Tavares had an assist on nine of Bailey’s goals last season and Bailey helped set up 15 of Tavares’ 37 goals.
“I didn’t realize how highly intelligent he is as a player,” Trotz said. “How efficient he is. I know he played with John, and the focus is on JT for the most part. He quietly gets it done without a lot of fanfare. That’s just part of his personality.”
Bailey opened the season playing on Mathew Barzal’s right wing for the first five games. But since Trotz flip-flopped him and Jordan Eberle, Nelson’s line with Bailey and Lee has been on the ice for at least one even-strength goal in six straight games, with seven goals overall in that stretch.
“I’m really comfortable playing with those two guys. Both have been playing extremely well,” said Bailey, 29, in the first season of a six-year, $30-million extension. “I think Brock has been our best player all season the way he’s been playing the 200-foot game. Anders and I have a lot of familiarity playing together for a long time now.”
Notes & quotes: Goalie Robin Lehner, who is day-to-day because of back spasms, practiced for the first time since exiting Tuesday’s 6-3 win at Pittsburgh after two periods. “It was a good day today,” Lehner said. “I just felt something in my back. It definitely feels better .” Left wing Matt Martin missed practice after going hard into the boards on Thursday, although he finished the game. Trotz expects Martin to be available Saturday.
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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