Josh Bailey Goes Beyond Big Moments for Islanders | NYHN+

When it comes to stepping up in a big moment, Josh Bailey has found a knack for doing so in Game 1s of a series.

Bailey found himself in the right spot with 13:08 left in the game and the New York Islanders tied at two with the Washington Capitals on Wednesday. Brock Nelson was able to pick the puck off Holtby’s stick and Bailey was left all alone in the in front for the goal.

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Similarly, the Islanders’ longest-tenured player was in the right spot at the right time last year in Game 1 of the team’s opening-round series with the Pittsburgh Penguins. He scored the putback goal to win the game in overtime.

The postseason success has been a turning point for Bailey’s perception among the Islanders fanbase. Bailey has been one of the most divisive figures among the fans since he was drafted ninth overall in 2008.

The reason? His offensive production has not met the expectations that come with being drafted so high. However, Bailey’s Hockey IQ and playmaking ability have long been acknowledged by teammates and coaches, but never really given the same credit elsewhere.

In recent years that has started to change as his offensive numbers have started to go up and his prowess for making the smart plays in big situations has gone up.

“I think when the game gets quicker and more important what you find with Josh is what his intelligence level and compete is,” Islanders coach Barry Trotz said. “He’s got a quiet compete level that I’ve learned to appreciate. I think when those guys are like that sometimes they aren’t appreciated for all the things they do.

“I think with Josh he is a quiet, very competitive, very intelligent hockey player. When the moment is big he seems to be very relaxed and poised.”

In five postseason contests this year Bailey has already matched his offensive output from last year in the playoffs. Bailey has six points (one goal, four assists), which was as many points that he recorded in eight playoff contests in 2019.

What has gone unnoticed for so long and has come to light in recent years is the aforementioned playmaking ability of Bailey. There is no better example than his assist on Anthony Beauvillier’s third-period goal that gave the Islanders a 4-2 lead.

Bailey took a shot from the high slot that was stopped and then was able to pick up his own rebound. In the blink of an eye, Bailey quickly tapped the puck over to Beauvillier, who was sitting unguarded at the side of the net, for the goal.

Plays like that have been a staple of Bailey’s game for some time now. Former Islanders captain John Tavares even took note of it when then-head coach Jack Capuano put the two together on a line.

Fast forward years later and you’ll hear the same compliments coming from his current linemates.

“Bails kind of slows it down and is able to make a lot of plays. He has some unbelievable hands,” Brock Nelson said last week. “We try to just feed off one another, read off each other.”

Bailey has become one of the Islanders most reliable playoff heroes in recent years, but what the veteran forward brings goes beyond that. His playmaking ability and the smart two-way game he employs has quietly helped benefit the Islanders and the players alongside him on a game-by-game basis.

When Bailey had a career-best 71 point season (18 goals, 53 assists) during the 2017-18 year, some were quick to write it off as being the product of playing with John Tavares. Bailey’s numbers did drop a bit, but he has found himself constantly finishing the year with 40 or more points.

Bailey had 56 points during the 2016-17 and 2018-19 campaigns. He had 43 points when this past season was halted due to COVID-19.

While the big moments have brought the value of Bailey to light, it shouldn’t go unrecognized what the 12-year veteran has brought to the team away from goal scoring.

New York Islanders fans likely were singing the “Josh Bailey song” when he scored his go-ahead goal in the third period. It was a big moment for the 30-year-old forward, but it’s just the tip of the iceberg for what Bailey does for the Islanders on the ice.