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Josh Bailey remained hopeful about his demotion to the Islanders’ fourth line on Friday, laughing about how few games he had played alongside Matt Martin. However, when asked why Bailey was demoted in favor of Simon Holmstrom, coach Lane Lambert didn’t mince words.
Prior to the Islanders’ 2-0 victory over the Red Wings at UBS Arena, Lambert stated, “As a result of us attempting to find solutions to our inability to win hockey games.”
For a coach who has shown zero interest in singling out specific players this season, this may be the closest Lambert ever comes to saying so. Bailey skated with Aatu Raty and Martin on Friday, while Holmstrom joined Zach Parise and Jean-Gabriel Pageau on the third line.
Bailey concluded the evening with a team-low 7:44 at even strength, while Holmstrom and Raty, the Islanders’ youthful forwards, each played more than eight minutes.
This occurred exactly one month after Bailey’s previous goal against the Penguins on December 27 and one game after he played the fewest minutes since early November. With numerous players currently out injured, the Islanders are not in a position to sit the veteran winger, but if they eventually get fit, it is unlikely that Bailey will retain his spot in the lineup.
This season, the 33-year-old has scored just six times and has 19 total points. His average ice time per game has decreased by more than a minute compared to the previous season. Early in the season, Lambert had already scratched him from a game at Tampa Bay.
Bailey, who has played over 1,000 games for the Islanders, has maintained his professionalism despite his dwindling role. On Friday, he praised his new offensive teammates.
“I honestly don’t recall playing many games with Martin,” he remarked. “After returning from an injury years ago, I believe we were on the line for one game. But we’ve had shifts here and there, and we’re obviously good friends, so let’s hope it translates.”
Prior to his third consecutive game skating with Casey Cizikas and Anthony Beauvillier, Mathew Barzal, who has not scored since January 5, told The Post that it is his duty to make things click with a revolving cast of linemates.
“I am fine with it. I believe it is my responsibility to produce with anyone I’m with,” he stated. “I’m trying, but as of late, it’s simply not been there. It was present for some time. Simply hasn’t been there recently.”
Both Hudson Fasching (lower body) and Noah Dobson (lower body) are expected to miss Saturday’s game against the Golden Knights. Neither is skating.
»Islanders’ Josh Bailey puts a positive spin on his demotion to the fourth line«