Welcome back to another NHL Predictions. Each day our writers here at Last Word on Hockey look at the games and give in-depth analysis. Our team breaks down the key matchups, storylines, and stats, then makes predictions based on how they might play out. For this edition, we will look at the New York Islanders taking on the Nashville Predators. Don’t forget to check out more NHL Predictions, as our writers continue this series throughout the 2024-25 season.
NHL Predictions
New York Islanders vs Nashville Predators
Time: 12:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST)
TV: MSGSN, FDSNSO, NHL Network
This round of NHL Predictions features two out-of-conference opponents, who have both struggled this season. The Islanders seventh in the Eastern Conference’s Metropolitan Division with a record of 26-25-7. Through 58 games that record is good enough for 59 points. Meanwhile, the Predators are seventh in the Western Conference’s Central Division through 58 games. Their record sits at 21-30-7 good for 49 points. This will be the first of two matchups between the two sides this season. Tonight’s game taking place on Long Island inside UBS Arena. These two teams split last season’s series a game apiece.
The Islanders Story
The Islanders have struggled coming out of the Four Nations break. They had lost their first two games since coming off the break and that had them on a four-game losing streak. However, they were finally able to snap that streak with a 2-1 win their last time out against the Boston Bruins. Offence has been hard to come by recently for the 27th ranked team in the league averaging just 2.69 goals per game. They have failed to score more than two goals in back-to-back games.
What little offence they have produced has come from Kyle Palmieri who has five points in the last five games. He could be playing up his trade value as the deadline nears. With Mathew Barzal still not skating, the Islanders will need more from their top point scorers. Anders Lee for example who hasn’t registered a point since the break. In addition, Bo Horvat has only one point since the break so these two will need to produce more if the team wants any chance of a playoff push.
Defensively the Islanders hover in the middle of the pack, ranking 16 in goals against at 2.95. They have gotten healthier as of late though. They welcomed back Ryan Pulock the first game after the break and more recently Noah Dobson in the most recent outing. The reinforcements helped limit Boston to just one goal. Ilya Sorokin snapping out of his slump also played a big factor in that result stopping 38 of 39 shots.
He had lost his previous four games, allowing 18 goals on 99 shots (.818 save percentage). Hopefully this performance could help right the ship as he remains the biggest X-factor for this team and whether they win or lose games. Due to all the goalie injuries, he has played in 29 of the last 34 games. That makes him to busiest goalie in the NHL during that stretch. The season long numbers remain solid for Sorokin. He sports a 21-18-4 record with a .905 save percentage and 2.76 goals against.
The Predators Story
The Predators came out of the break and lost two games in a row. However, they were able to snap that streak in their last game, a 2-1 win over the Winnipeg Jets. It has been a rough season offensively for Nashville as they rank dead last in goals per game with 2.55. They have been held to two goals or less in eight of their last 10 games and have lost seven of their last 10. Led by Filip Forsberg and his 54 points in 58 games, he provides a strong scoring output despite the teams troubles. He and his running mate Ryan O’Reilly on the top line can cause trouble for an opponent on any night. While O’Reilly’s goal scoring numbers are down, he still provides great playmaking abilities with seven assists and in his last 10 games.
Defensively Nashville has better numbers but still not great. They rank 26th in goals against with 3.28 per game. However, despite this they do a good job limiting dangerous chances allowing the third least high danger shots with only 100 against. They also have a great penalty kill, that unit ranks ninth in the league at 80.9%. That could be hard to maintain if Roman Josi is unable to return to the lineup, he missed the last game with an upper body injury.
One thing going against them has been a down year for the normally strong Juuse Saros. He has lost six of his last eight starts. For the season he is 13-24-6 with a .900 save percentage and 2.88 goals against. Saros has seen a majority of the starts because backup Justus Annunen hasn’t been any better. He is 7-4 with a .899 save percentage and 3.12 goals against. This is the first of a back-to-back for Nashville so each goalie will take a turn but the goalie for this one is unconfirmed.
Prediction
The Islanders hold the advantage offensively, defensively and in goal. These points in this game are much more important for the Islanders. They had fought their way back into playoff contention before a recent slide has set them back. New York sits seven points out of the wild card and still has time to come back.
Meanwhile Nashville is 16 points out of playoff contention and would need a miracle to have a chance. If the Islanders are serious and want any hope of making it, they can afford nothing less than the two points in this game. Playing on home ice against a lottery team, we think they will be able to secure them in this game.
Prediction: Islanders win 3-2.
Prop Bets
We wrap up NHL predictions with some prop bets for this game. Popular sports books have the Islanders are the favourites in this game. Take their money line at -132. The over/under is set at 5.5. Both teams have offences that rank in the bottom half of the league and Sorokin is coming off a great performance. We like the under at -120.
As far as any time goal scorers, for the Islanders take Anders Lee. We highlighted his struggles since the break earlier and as one of his team’s top guys, he has to step up. He has two goals in the last 10, he is overdue to pot one. For the Predators take Filip Forsberg at +165. He is the team’s leading goal scorer and is relied upon a lot for his team’s offence so he is likely to score one here.
Main photo by: Tom Horak-Imagn Images
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The post NHL Predictions: March 1 New York Islanders vs Nashville Predators appeared first on Last Word On Hockey.