Eyes On Isles
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Islanders Josh Bailey Is Having Quietly Great Playoffs

By Matt O'Leary

TORONTO, ONTARIO – AUGUST 12: Josh Bailey #12 of the New York Islanders celebrates his short-handed goal at 6:52 of the third period against the Washington Capitals in Game One of the Eastern Conference First Round during the 2020 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena on August 12, 2020 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ONTARIO – AUGUST 12: Josh Bailey #12 of the New York Islanders celebrates his short-handed goal at 6:52 of the third period against the Washington Capitals in Game One of the Eastern Conference First Round during the 2020 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena on August 12, 2020 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
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After the game-winning goal and his fifth assist of the playoffs, it’s pretty clear the Josh Bailey has found his game for the Islanders.

The New York Islanders scored four unanswered goals in Game 1 to come back from a 2-0 deficit to win 4-2. A gigantic part of the Islanders comeback was on Josh Bailey who came alive in the third period.

Based on the first two periods the Islanders were dominating at five-on-five, the only issue was they gave the Capitals seven power play opportunities and allowed two goals.

Anyway, period three was another story and they got the lead after this beautiful play from Brock Nelson and Josh Bailey:

First, hats off to Brock for an unreal play on the boards but how about that shot from Bailey. Top shelf past Braden Holtby was pretty ELITE looking to me. It was his first goal of the playoffs, not a surprise because he’s not a goal scorer, but it was his fifth point in fifth game.

He wasn’t done. On Anthony Beauvillier’s fourth goal of the playoffs, it was Josh Bailey who picked up the primary assist on the goal.

Through five games now, Josh Bailey quietly has six points to his name (1 goal, 5 assists). While he might not always pass the eye test, when it matters, Josh Bailey is there in a big spot.

In 35 career playoff games, Josh Bailey has 23 points (9 goals, 13 assists). The man has a knack for the coming up in the clutch when it matters most. For the record, 23 points in 35 games is a pace of 54 points in a full season.

As the series rolls on, the Islanders are going to need guys like Josh Bailey to continue to be productive. The Capitals have a ton of firepower, and in order to minimize the damage, the top-six has to be clicking.

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So far so good for the Islanders. Game 2 is on Friday night at 8:00 pm, get your popcorn ready it should be a good one.

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