New York Islanders Top Three Goals in 2017

Second: Bailey Between The Legs

The game. At home to the San Jose Sharks on October 21st, 2017. It was the second time the two would see each other in the matter of a week. The first meeting was a 3-1 New York Islanders win, thanks to the efforts of Thomas Greiss.

On this occasion, the New York Islanders has just come off a 4-3 shootout win on the road at Madison Square Garden.

The Islanders have long been accused of having a Rangers hang over the game after a New York derby. This time the Isles would get the win after taking two points home after crossing the East River.

Anders Lee would score twice on the night, but Josh Bailey would steal all the headlines after a highlight reel goal.

It all starts with an Islanders forecheck. With pressure on the puck carrier, Brent Burns tosses the puck across to his defensive partner to exit the zone. Lying in wait is Josh Bailey who is gifted possession.

After a pump fake and a nutmeg between the legs on Sharks captain Joe Pavelski, Bailey is alone on goal. Sharks goalie Aaron Dell does a good job of taking away the angle so Bailey is forced to try and deke his way around the netminder.

As Bailey gets closer he runs out of room to get Dell to bite, so to open up some space he goes right between his own legs and tucks it into the far side. Beautiful.

We know that Josh Bailey is a pass first player. We don’t associate him as a dangler, but every now and then he reminds us that he can dangle with the best of them.