April 9, 2025, marks a significant date for both the
Nashville Predators and the
New York Islanders as they gear up for their clash in the
NHL. The Predators, after a string of unfortunate losses, are looking to regain their footing, while the Islanders aim to continue their recent upswing and solidify their playoff standings. With both teams having something to prove, this game promises to be an intense battle on the ice.
Roster Rundown
The
Nashville Predators are pinning their hopes on a few key players who’ve been the backbone of their squad. Roman Josi, the defenseman with an impressive 50 points this season, is pivotal in both defensive stability and offensive transitions. Juuse Saros, the goaltender, has a save percentage of .915, though he’s been under pressure lately due to defensive lapses. Upfront, Filip Forsberg, with 25 goals, needs to find his scoring touch again after a dry spell. And, of course, Steven Stamkos, who joined mid-season, is crucial with his leadership and slap shots—he’s got 60 points to his name. Notably absent are Ryan O’Reilly and Jonathan Marchessault, both sidelined with injuries, tightening Predators' options.
For the
New York Islanders, Mathew Barzal is their offensive dynamo, having notched 70 points so far. Ilya Sorokin, their steadfast goalie, boasts a .920 save percentage and remains key in net. Defenseman Noah Dobson, with 35 assists, is vital in their playmaking. Brock Nelson, with 30 goals this season, will be vital to keeping pressure on the Predators' defense. Missing from the action are Anthony Duclair and Kyle Palmieri, both out with lingering injuries.
Head-to-Head
In the historical matchups between these teams,
Nashville Predators have dominated with 20 wins out of 33 encounters, while the Islanders have taken 11, with two draws in the mix. Their last meeting saw the Predators edge out the Islanders 3-2, back in February 2024, a reminder of the tight contests these two tend to have.
Recent Form
The Predators' recent form leaves much to be desired. They've suffered five consecutive losses: 5-1 against Dallas Stars, 8-4 to Columbus Blue Jackets, 2-1 to Philadelphia Flyers, 3-1 against Vegas Golden Knights, and a close 3-2 to St. Louis Blues. It’s clear they need to tighten up on defense and find a way to bury those chances.
The Islanders, on the flip side, have had mixed results but come off two wins: 4-1 over Washington Capitals and 3-1 against Minnesota Wild. However, they’ve also faced setbacks, losing 4-1 to Tampa Bay Lightning, 6-4 to Carolina Hurricanes, and another 5-3 loss to Tampa Bay Lightning. They’ve shown resilience but need consistency.
Wrap-Up
With
Nashville Predators struggling to find form and key players missing, they’ve got a mountain to climb. The Islanders, despite their ups and downs, are in a better rhythm and have been the more consistent team. In a game that could swing either way, the Predators’ defense must step up, while the Islanders need to capitalize on their chances.
Summary
Considering the current form and roster advantages, the
New York Islanders seem to have an edge going into this match. Nashville’s recent struggles, especially defensively, could be their Achilles' heel. Islanders need to maintain their offensive pressure and stay sharp defensively to seize the opportunity and come away with a win.
Match Odds Nashville Predators – New York Islanders
Leon's odds are - on Nashville Predators triumphing on their territory.
At this moment our odds are equal to - on New York Islanders visiting team's winning.
Draw odds are -.
