Josh Bailey remained modest when describing his stunning goal in the second period of the Islanders’ 5-3 win over the Sharks on Saturday night at Barclays Center.
“I felt like it was kind of my last option,” Bailey said. “Thankfully it worked.”
It was a description not quite fit for the level of craft used in creating the goal.
After gaining possession of an errant Sharks pass in their zone, Bailey deked out Joe Pavelski for a clear look at the net. He then dangled the puck in front of goalie Aaron Dell, looping it through his own legs before tucking it home in a stick-work clinic for the 2-1 lead.
“I was pretty pumped up about that,” Anders Lee said. “That was pretty good skill work there by Josh. His poise was incredible. To put it in the way he did was really fun to see. Looking forward to looking at that one again.”
John Tavares probably is, too.
“It was a heck of a move,” Tavares said. “Great poise. He’s obviously one of the top players on our team when he has the puck. He just didn’t panic and got a little cheeky there.”
The Islanders ditched the norm and went with 11 forwards and seven defensemen for the second straight game.
While coach Doug Weight said the move wasn’t sustainable or ideal, the upside meant there was extra ice time to chase for forwards, including Anthony Beauvillier, who had been a healthy scratch for the three games before Saturday.
“Just feels like it’s been forever,” Beauvillier said after Saturday’s morning skate. “It was really a shock at first when I was scratched. I’m going to work hard, play fast and have fun and good things will happen.”
The 20-year-old Beauvillier played in the Islanders’ first four games of the year, scoring a goal on eight shots, but had been squeezed out of the lineup since then. He returned against the Sharks as winger J osh Ho-Sang took a turn as a scratch.
“[Ho-Sang] just wasn’t good [Thursday] night,” Weight said. “It’s everything from decisions and shift length and body language and things like that. We’re clear on everything.”
Veteran defenseman Dennis Seidenberg played his first game since the season opener, jumping into the lineup in place of a “banged up” Scott Mayfield.
Weight said Mayfield probably could have played, but thought it was a good time to give Seidenberg some action.