New York Islanders Anthony Beauvillier Scores First of Season (Video)

It was a sublime play by what should be a sublime line for the New York Islanders. Anthony Beauvillier got his first of the year after some great play between Beau, Eberle and Barzal.

After waiting eight full games, New York Islanders forward Anthony Beauvillier is finally on the scoreboard with his first goal of the season.

Scoring the first goal of the year doesn’t sound very important. But we’ve been waiting a full eight games for this to happen.

Some context is important. After being sent down to the AHL for some poor play to start the 2017-18 season, Beauvillier rebounded big time in the second half after making his way back to the team.

Before being sent down Beau was on pace to score 18 points in 2017-18. In the second half Beauvillier was on pace for 62 points while playing with Barzal and Eberle.

The hope was that he could be that 60 point player this season.

Missing in Action

Starting the 2018-19 season Beauvillier would get the chance to start with Mathew Barzal and Jordan Eberle again. Beauvillier would get that chance to be that 60 point player from day one.

Except, as we all know that didn’t happen. Through seven games in the 2018-19 season Beauvillier hadn’t produced a point. That lack of production forced coach Barry Trotz to push Beauvillier down to the third line.

It wasn’t quite the same demotion as going to the AHL, but it was clearly meant to wake Beauvillier up.

And it worked.

In his first game back with Mathew Barzal and Jordan Eberle the trio connected for this real pretty goal int he first period against the Philadelphia Flyers.

Beauvillier is finally able to get that monkey off his back. He’s still got a long way to go before we can say that he’s officially “back”, but this is a great first step.

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If this demotion to the third line worked to motivate Beauvillier, is it possible to just have this done at the start of the season in 2019-20?