Barry Trotz couldn’t help it. He associated Josh Bailey with John Tavares as an opposing coach.
But the right wing, with Brock Nelson now in between him and Islanders new captain Anders Lee instead of Tavares, is showing he can get along without his old linemate just fine.
Bailey brings a team-high seven-game point streak (two goals, seven assists) into Saturday night’s game against the Devils at Barclays Center as the Islanders (7-4-1) have won four straight.
“I’ve really not thought about that,” Bailey said when asked about proving he can be just as effective without Tavares.