Jack Capuano benches Josh Bailey

Josh Bailey's benching Sunday came as a bit of a surprise, because the eighth-year forward hadn't been noticeably worse than some of his underachieving teammates in the past two weeks.

But Jack Capuano sat Bailey all the same, choosing to give 24-year-old Taylor Beck his first chance as an Islander.

"He's been good defensively for us for a long time, but his awareness has cost us," Capuano said, citing Bailey's getting outworked by former Islander Matt Moulson for a goal the previous Sunday in a 2-1 loss to the Sabres. "We need him and some other guys to pick their games up."

Beck had one good chance against the Bruins, ringing a shot off the crossbar in the second period. He had three goals and four assists in 10 games with AHL Bridgeport before being recalled when John Tavares fell ill last weekend.

D-man arriving shortly

The Islanders have been going with six defensemen since Thomas Hickey (left leg) was injured in St. Louis on Oct. 25, but that will change Monday with a three-game road trip beginning.

The three candidates likely at the top of the recall list from Bridgeport are rookies Ryan Pulock, Scott Mayfield and Adam Pelech. With the Isles' power play scuffling at 1-for-7 on Sunday, Pulock might be the likeliest to get the call.

The 21-year-old Pulock began the season with the Isles but didn't get into a game before being sent down. He has three goals and five assists in 12 games for the Sound Tigers.

Pulock also would be able to spell Marek Zidlicky on the right side. Zidlicky has been a healthy scratch previously and the 38-year-old likely would need a rest during one of the three games in four nights this week.