The New York Islanders are up 2-1 over the Florida Panthers for two reasons right now. These two players have shown how unstoppable they can be. They’ve demonstrated excellent skating, outstanding forechecking, the ability to get pucks on the net, and score. They aren’t the players you’re thinking of, though. It is not Jordan Eberle or Matt Martin. I’m talking about Jean-Gabriel Pageau and Anthony Beauvillier.
Jean-Gabriel Pageau
Jean-Gabriel Pageau has been the best player out of both teams in this series. He is by far the best deadline pick up by any team in the NHL. Pageau does so much more than just score. Pageau pesters the opposing team in the offensive/neutral zone and creates opportunities for other players. He also goes right into the slot even though he’s normally the smallest guy on the ice. Pageau is one of the only players on the Islanders that looks like he wants to score. Pageau also brings feisty energy to the hard-hitting Islanders team. Brian Boyle is around 8 inches taller than Pageau, yet Pageau was willing to laugh in his face and throw a fake punch. Pageau is the best player on the Islanders currently, and it could be that way for a long time.
Anthony Beauvillier
Anthony Beauvillier is the second fastest skater on the Islanders. I need to see him and Mat Barzal race. Nevermind that, but the way Beauvillier has progressed after the 4-month layoff is insane. Beauvillier used to be unreliable, and it looked like he would never reach his potential. Out of nowhere, Anthony Beauvillier explodes out and becomes one of the most impactful players on the ice. His forechecking and his chip and chase game is unmatched. Beauvillier also tries to get the puck on net more, and that only means that other players get to score off his rebounds. He’s the most dangerous player on the Islanders powerplay, which is either good or bad depending on how you look at it. Beauvillier has really come into his own during the playoffs.
Conclusion
If the Islanders didn’t have Beauvillier or Pageau, they wouldn’t be up in the series right now. Almost every impactful play has come from one of the two players. The Islanders should be thanking their stars for these players.