Watch the Islanders for about five minutes and it will be easy to get mesmerized by the pure skill of Mathew Barzal. Watch them for five more minutes and you’ll notice his linemate and best friend Anthony Beauvillier alongside of him, benefitting from the dazzling skill Barzal has. Watch a full game and you may not even notice the “third wheel” on the line — Josh Bailey.
The irony to this is that despite the speed, skill, and youth of Barzal and Beauvillier, it is actually Josh Bailey and Mathew Barzal that are the true drivers of the line.