Islanders: Anthony Beauvillier Will Not Play Tomorrow

NEWARK, NEW JERSEY - JANUARY 24: Nathan Bastian #14 of the New Jersey Devils gets tangled up with Anthony Beauvillier #18 of the New York Islanders during the second period at the Prudential Center on January 24, 2021 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
NEWARK, NEW JERSEY - JANUARY 24: Nathan Bastian #14 of the New Jersey Devils gets tangled up with Anthony Beauvillier #18 of the New York Islanders during the second period at the Prudential Center on January 24, 2021 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

Anthony Beauvillier has been unable to play for the last four games after an awkward fall in the Islanders‘ loss to New Jersey on January 24. Unfortunately, Anthony Beauvillier who is able to come off IR, will not be ready to play tomorrow.

Barry Trotz confirmed today to the media that Beauvillier will not be playing against Pittsburgh tomorrow, the Islander’s first game since Sunday. He’s skated on his own but isn’t ready for games just yet.

Beau’s injury has caused an already weak top-six to slow down. With the team’s fear of giving any real minutes to Oliver Wahlstrom or Kieffer Bellows in mind, they didn’t have anyone to fill that role.

As a result, Brock Nelson and Josh Bailey, before moving up to the top line, have gotten off to a horrid start. Nelson has just one five on five point in nine games this year and before his two-point night in Philly, Bailey had one in the first eight games.

The Islanders have been forced to rely on essentially just the Barzal line, and as a result, they are averaging just 2.1 goals per game. That’s just not going to cut it, even for a defensive-minded team like the Islanders.

On Sunday, the Islanders had this lineup out there in their OT loss:

What do the New York Islanders do now?

At this point, will they run this same lineup back? While I liked what we saw from Austin Czarnik, I thought Dmytro Timashov left a lot to be desired. I hope the Islanders go with something like:

Lee – Barzal – Bailey

Bellows – Nelson – Eberle

Dal Colle/Czarnik – Pageau – Wahlstrom

Martin – Cizikas – Clutterbuck

At this point, I’d highly consider sitting one of Matt Martin or Cal Clutterbuck in favor of Czarnik or Dal Colle but I think this is the most realistic option with the highest of ceilings. The lineup with Ross Johnston AND Matt Martin proved not to work.

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For now, the Islanders will have to wait for their young winger Anthony Beauvillier some more. Hopefully, he’s not out too much longer.

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