One of the most noticeable things about the final scoresheet from Game 4 of the Islanders' first-round playoff series against the Washington Capitals on Tuesday night was the fact that the trio of Anthony Beauvillier, Brock Nelson and Josh Bailey all were held without a point in the game. It was the second straight scoreless game for the Islanders' hottest line.
Nobody was sweating it, though. In fact, as the Isles again looked to close out the Caps in Game 5 Thursday night, Bailey was looking forward to the line breaking out in a big situation.
"It's a great opportunity here," Bailey said before the game. "I think you can't dwell on any of the negatives; you focus on the positives and try and feed off those, and make sure you're ready for puck drop."
They were ready, all right. Two goals by Beauvillier, his fifth and sixth of the postseason, and a goal and two assists by Bailey powered the Islanders to a 4-0 victory that put away the Capitals in five games and sent the Isles on to the second round.
Beauvillier's two goals pulled him into a tie for the lead in the playoffs, with Vancouver's Bo Horvat and Colorado's Nazem Kadri. Calgary's Sam Bennett, who played later Thursday, had five going into his game.
Beauvillier's first goal of the game came on the power play, at 10:19 of the first period, 17 seconds after Washington's Nic Dowd was sent off for hooking Casey Cizikas. It was the Isles' second man-advantage goal of the series, in their 20th opportunity.
Midway through the second period, Bailey _ who had the second assist on the first goal _ made a nifty, dipsy-doodle move on Washington defenseman John Carlson on a three-on-two rush and then slipped a pass behind Carlson for Beauvillier, who cut across the crease and lifted a backhander over Braden Holtby at 9:33 of the period, as he jumped over the goaltender to avoid a collision.
Beauvillier paid the price for that one, as backchecking Washington forward Tom Wilson hit him while he was in the air, sending him flying into the goalpost. But after leaving the ice in some discomfort, Beauvillier returned for his next shift. at 9:33 of the period.
Nick Leddy and Bailey had empty-net goals late in the third to put it away.
Three points for Bailey gave him 10 for the postseason (two goals, eight assists) to lead the team. Two points for Beauvillier gave him nine points (six goals, three assists). Nelson has seven points (three goals, four assists), which ties him with Mat Barzal for third. For Beauvillier, Bailey and Nelson, their respective playoff point totals are a career high for each.
Islanders coach Barry Trotz was never stressed out by the two-game mini-slump his second line went through. It all was just part of the normal ups and downs of the game, he said.
"That's just ice hockey," the coach said. "You don't see too many lines blow through 82 games and are unbelievable every game. They've been good."
