Anthony Beauvillier Will Be a Top Goal-scorer for the Islanders This Year
This offseason, the New York Islanders signed Anthony Beauvillier to a three-year contract with an AAV of $4.15 million. The 24-year-old forward has become a fan favorite over the past few seasons for both his talent on the ice and his personality off the ice. Despite being a streaky player in the past, this season, Anthony Beauvillier will be a top goal scorer for the Islanders this season.
2019-20 Season
The 2019-20 regular season was cut short in March 2020 due to the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite having a shortened season, Beauvillier had an NHL career-high of 39 points (18 goals, 21 assists) in the 68 games. Of the 18 goals he scored, one was a shorthanded goal, two were overtime goals, three were power-play goals, and three were game-winning goals.
Once the 2019-20 season resumed in August 2020, the Islanders played 22 games and advanced all the way to Game 6 in the Eastern Conference Finals. In 22 games, Beauvillier scored nine goals and recorded five assists. He tied with his linemate Brock Nelson for most goals scored for the Islanders in the 2019-20 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Beauvillier and Nelson also scored three game-winning goals each.
One thing his teammates and fans can always count on is Beauvillier showing up in the big moments. He plays with heart and soul each and every time he steps on the ice and it shows.
2020-21 Season
The 2020-21 NHL regular season was also condensed due to issues presented by the Coronavirus pandemic. Beauvillier played in 47 of the 56 games due to a lower-body injury he sustained towards the beginning of the season. Even though he played fewer games than the majority of the starting players, Beauvillier was still able to record 28 points (15 goals, 13 assists). He also led the team in game-winning goals (five) and overtime goals (two). Not only did he play great offense, but Beauvillier also played strong defensively as well. He had a plus/minus rating of +15, the highest on the team, along with Mathew Barzal, Adam Pelech, and Ryan Pulock.
Once again, in the 2020-21 season, the Islanders saw lots of success in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Isles played in 19 games, making it all the way to Game 7 in the Stanley Cup Semifinals. Beauvillier scored five goals and recorded eight assists throughout the playoffs.
Game 6 vs the Tampa Bay Lightning was where Beauvillier instantly became everyone’s favorite Islander if he wasn’t already. Tampa was leading the series 3-2 going into the game, so the Isles were facing the threat of elimination. After 60 minutes, the score was 2-2. The Islanders needed to win in overtime to push a Game 7. Then, one minute and eight seconds into OT, Beauvillier scored an unassisted goal, keeping the Islanders alive. It was a moment that Islanders fans will never forget.
JUST LISTEN TO THE BARN pic.twitter.com/RR1pLCNX84
— Isles on MSGSN (@IslesMSGN) June 24, 2021
2021-22 Preseason
Anthony Beauvillier is having a very successful preseason. He looks like he will be on fire once the 2021-22 regular-season starts and he can play with his normal linemates.
On September 28, 2021, the Islanders played the Philadelphia Flyers at Wells Fargo Center. Beauvillier played on a line with Aatu Raty and Kyle Palmieri. Beauvillier had a three-point night consisting of two assists and the game-winning goal 22 seconds into overtime to give the Isles the 3-2 win. He also got to practice his defensive skills by being a part of the Islanders’ penalty kill special team, which went three-for-three that night.
On October 5, 2021, the Islanders played the Flyers again, this time at Webster Bank Arena. Beauvillier scored 1:33 into the first period on the power play. The Islanders shut out the Flyers 3-0.
Upcoming 2021-22 Season
Anthony Beauvillier is a huge asset for the Islanders. He plays a great 200-foot game and always shows up when it matters most. Not only has Beauvillier been improving each year, but the Islanders’ second line, consisting of Anthony Beauvillier, Brock Nelson, and Josh Bailey, is becoming one of the strongest and most consistent lines. Beauvillier will be entering the 2021-22 season off a hot streak from the preseason and is on track to become one of the Islanders’ top goal scorers this year.
I am a huge Islanders fan and love spreading my passion for the team here at Drive4Five. Along with writing, I also co-manage the Drive4Five TikTok and Facebook accounts.
