Adam Williams presents his prediction for the NHL match.
The New York Islanders remain in the chase for a wild-card spot, holding on to slim playoff hopes. They are seven points adrift of the final postseason berth with only six regular season games left. Their upcoming trip to face the Nashville Predators presents a vital chance to stay in contention, especially against a squad that has long since been ruled out of the playoff picture and is no longer playing for position.
Nashville Predators
The Nashville Predators are currently enduring their worst run of the campaign, having lost six games in a row. In four of those outings, they managed to register just a single goal. This stretch includes a heavy 4:8 defeat to the Columbus Blue Jackets, and the team has conceded 23 goals across this six-game slump. Goaltenders Justus Annunen and Juuse Saros have struggled throughout, both carrying save percentages below 90% on the season, dropping to 85% during the current downturn. Home advantage has offered little relief, with the squad managing only 39 points in 38 home games.
New York Islanders
The New York Islanders enter this fixture on the back of consecutive victories, having beaten the Minnesota Wild (3:1) and the Washington Capitals (4:1). In the standout win over the Washington Capitals, Ilya Sorokin delivered an exceptional display, turning aside 96.6% of the shots he faced. Offensively, the squad has improved, scoring at least three goals in nine of their last eleven games. In recent meetings between these sides, the New York Islanders have reversed a ten-game losing streak against the Nashville Predators, winning the last two encounters — including a commanding 7:4 result earlier this season.
Nashville Predators vs New York Islanders Prediction
The New York Islanders are fully committed to keeping their wild-card ambitions alive. The team picked up four points from their last two outings and already put in a dominant performance against the Nashville Predators in early March. The hosts have been vulnerable defensively, conceding an average of four goals per game over their recent run. With that in mind, the suggested bet is a combination: the New York Islanders to avoid defeat and to score over 2.5 goals.
