Islanders “Killer B’s” line living up to title in Game 6

The trio of Anthony Beauvillier, Josh Bailey, and Brock Nelson have lead the New York Islanders all playoff long. In fact, they’ve done so for two straight playoff runs in a row now. Leading up to Game 6 against the Bruins the trio had combined for 80 points.

The “Killer B’s” are a lethal combination of relentless forechecking (Beauvilleir), top-notch hockey IQ (Josh Bailey), and some incredible individual talent and a shot that doesn’t quit (Nelson).

A win today would put the Islanders into the semi-finals for the second year in a row. Putting the Islanders in a winning position through 40 minutes were none other than the Killer B’s.

Killer B’s putting the New York Islanders in a winning position

In the second period, Nelson, Bailey, and Beauvillier combined for four points. Nelson picked up two goals and Bailey had two primary assists. Beauvillier was originally credited with a helper on Nelson’s first goal but was subsequently removed.

Nelson’s first goal was 5:20 in the second off a nifty one-touch pass by Bailey at the defensive blue line. From there Nelson had to beat out Matt Grzelcyk to the puck and then tuck it through Tuukka Rask. No easy feat, but Brock sure made it look that way.

Then seven minutes later, Nelson put scored again when Josh Bailey pounced on a loose puck in the Boston end and fired it into the slot for Nelson to got forehand-backhand around a sprawling Tuukka Rask.

Beauvillier may not get a point on either of those goals but if not for his forecheck to pressure Rask into tossing that puck into harm’s way that second goal may not have materialized.

The Killer B’s are doing just as their namesake suggests. They’re absolutely killing the B’s in this elimination game, not only with those two goals but the advanced analytics back that up:

• CF%: 66.67
• SCF%: 88.89
• HDCF%: 100
• xGF%: 89.89

(Stats from NaturalStatTrick and for 5on5 through 40 minutes in Game 6.)

The Islanders second line of Beau-Bailey-Brock is killing the Bruins. Killing them! If they can keep that up in the third, the Islanders might very well be going to the semi-finals in back-to-back years for the first time in 37 years.