Game Preview: Nashville Predators @ NY Islanders

LAST GAME

The NY Islanders got themselves back into playoff position Thursday night defeating the Columbus Blue Jackets 4-2. The two teams exchanged four goals in the first period, as Pierre Engvall and Bo Horvat tallied goals for the Islanders as we headed into the second stanza knotted up at two. A scoreless second period caused heart rates to ramp up heading into a decisive final period. Just over three minutes into the period, Noah Dobson rifled a wrist shot past Jet Greaves to give the Isles a one-goal lead. The Blue Jackets pulled the goaltender with over three minutes remaining, but Kyle Palmieri buried the Isles' third empty-net goal of the season to seal the deal.

While out-chanced all night, the Predators made the most of their opportunities on Thursday, beating the St. Louis Blues 6-3. Juuse Saros faced 47 shots, including 20 in the first period, ending the night with 44 saves. Filip Forsberg recorded his 42nd and 43rd goals of the season and former Islander, Anthony Beuvillier, scored his first as Predator.

HISTORICAL MATCHUP

The Predators have been a thorn in the Islanders' side over the years, as the Islanders haven't won against their Western Conference foes in their last 10 meetings (0-8-2). Additionally, they haven't beaten Nashville on Long Island in nine seasons.

The two teams last met on Jan. 13 at Bridgestone Arena, with JG Pageau scoring the first goal of the night with seven minutes remaining in the game. The Predators tied things up three minutes later, scoring the game-winner with eight seconds remaining in what was yet another Islanders blown third-period lead. The Preds added an empty netter on the way to a 3-1 victory.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Brock Nelson has lost his scoring touch over the last dozen games, failing to record a regulation goal in 14 games. The Islanders will need Nelson to find their scoring ways if they hope to keep their position in the playoff race.

Filip Forsberg has established himself as one of the game's top goal scorers as he already has established a new career high with 43 goals this season, matching the Predators single-season record set by Matt Duchene in 2021-22. With six games remaining, he's making a push to become the first 50-goal scorer in Predators history.

PROJECTED LINES

ISLANDERS

Casey Cizikas - Bo Horvat - Mathew Barzal
Pierre Engvall - Brock Nelson - Kyle Palmieri
Anders Lee - J.G. Pageau - Simon Holmstrom
Matt Martin - Kyle MacLean - Cal Clutterbuck

Alexander Romanov - Noah Dobson
Adam Pelech - Ryan Pulock
Mike Reilly - Sebastian Aho

Semyon Varlamov
Ilya Sorokin

PREDATORS

Filip Forsberg - Ryan O'Reilly - Gustav Nyquist
Jason Zucker - Colton Scissons - Anthony Beauvillier
Mark Jankowski - Tommy Novak - Luke Evangelista
Cole Smith - Michael McCarron - Kiefer Sherwood

Ryan McDonagh - Roman Josi
Jeremy Lauzon - Alexandre Carrier
Spencer Stastney - Luke Schenn

Kevin Lankinen
Juuse Saros