Beauvillier thriving with Islanders after finding confidence in minors

CHICAGO -- New York Islanders forward Anthony Beauvillier was looking to make an immediate impact this season. The 20-year-old had nine goals and 24 points as a rookie in 2016-17 and was eager to improve on those levels in his second NHL season.
The expectations were there. Beauvillier's game wasn't.

"He was losing battles. His eyes were wide when I talked to him, and he was, 'Oh, is this OK? Is this OK?' He wasn't the same kid," Islanders coach Doug Weight said. "He's 20 years old. He's in his second season and he wants to improve each year and he thought it was going to come back."
Beauvillier had scored one goal in 11 games when he was reassigned to the Bridgeport of the American Hockey League on Jan. 1. He played two games there, was recalled by the Islanders and scored a goal in
a 5-4 shootout win
against the New Jersey Devils on Jan. 7. He returned to Bridgeport and played one game while the Islanders were on their five-day break, but was back in time to contribute two goals and an assist in their
7-2 win at the New York Rangers
on Jan. 13.
He's playing on the second line with Jordan Eberle and best friend Mathew Barzal and producing as the Islanders hoped he would, using the confidence he gained in the AHL.
In his first 31 games this season, Beauvillier had four goals and three assists. In his past six games, he has six goals and one assist, including two power-play goals in
the Islanders' 7-3 victory
against the Chicago Blackhawks at United Center on Saturday. In three games with the Bridgeport, Beauvillier had 16 shots and two goals, both against Rochester. Weight said Beauvillier, "was the best player on the ice every game" for Bridgeport, and the boost he gained there is showing in his NHL game.

"I was just trying to be confident with my plays and the way I skated and stuff," Beauvillier said. "Just to practice down there and play three games was good for me to just work on some things and get the confidence and swagger back."
Beauvillier admits he had a tough time at the start of this season, perhaps putting too much pressure on himself.
"Maybe you're thinking too much at the beginning of the year, always trying to make the right play and scared to make mistakes. Now I'm just skating and trying to make plays and keeping it simple," he said. "I'm just having fun, I guess."
Playing with Barzal again has kept things fun. The two have been friends since they met at age 14 in an Allstate All-Canadians game, were selected by the Islanders in the first round of the 2015 NHL Draft (Barzal was taken No. 16, Beauvillier was No. 28), and they're roommates on the road. Their early games together didn't yield much, but the chemistry this time around is undeniable. Beauvillier and Barzal push each other on the ice.
"We're not shy to say things to each other. It's huge for us on the line, just to build chemistry. We're friends off the ice so it was easier for us to come on a line together and have success I think," Beauvillier said. "He's my best friend. At the same time, he's also an unreal player. He can skate well and it's just easy to play with him and Jordan. It makes my life easier with those two guys."
Barzal said Beauvillier is a different player after his quick trips to the minors.

"Maybe he just hit the reset button a little bit. You go down, get your confidence back, come back up and play hard. He's doing a great job right now," Barzal said. "He had a great season last year, and I'm sure he had big goals for himself and put a lot of pressure on himself, which is good. But sometimes as a young guy, that can get to you a little bit. He seems to be breaking through right now, and I'm sure he's going to have a great second half."
Confidence can be fickle. You can lose it quickly, but you can also regain it in a short amount of time. Perhaps, as Barzal said, Beauvillier just needed to hit the reset button. Beauvillier started the season uncertain. Now he's playing without fear.
"I'm proud of him, the way he's come back and just brought it back to the NHL," Weight said. "He's been strong and he's been effective in all ends of the rink. He's cerebral. He's showing what we drafted, and it's needed by us right now."