Game Details
Puckdrop is scheduled for 8:00 PM ET.
Venue: Bridgestone Arena, 1000 Rosa L Parks Blvd, Nashville, TN 37208. This 17,159-capacity arena, opened in 1996, is the home of the Nashville Predators and known for its vibrant country music-themed atmosphere, high-energy fan base, and modern features like a massive LED video board. Located in downtown Nashville, it often provides a significant home-ice advantage, especially in tight, physical games.
Recent Team Forms
The Islanders are coming off a mixed bag but have kept games close, while the Predators are on a revival with wins in 6 of their last 10. Here’s a breakdown of their last five games (most recent first):
New York Islanders (3-2 in last 5; streak: W2):
Win 4-3 vs. Toronto (Jan 6; Ilya Sorokin 28 saves in return from injury).
Win 5-1 vs. Florida (Jan 5; Anthony Duclair hat trick powered offense).
Loss 3-4 at NY Rangers (Jan 2; OT loss after late tie).
Loss 1-2 vs. Pittsburgh (Jan 1; low-scoring defeat).
Win 4-3 OT vs. Washington (Dec 30; comeback win). New York has averaged 3.4 goals per game recently while allowing 2.6, with a strong 3-2 road record in the stretch. Their penalty kill ranks top-5 at 85%.
Nashville Predators (3-2 in last 5; streak: L1):
Loss 2-6 at Edmonton (Jan 6; defensive collapse allowed 5 in third).
Win 4-3 vs. Calgary (Jan 5; Ryan O’Reilly game-winner).
Win 5-4 OT vs. Montreal (Jan 3; comeback OT victory).
Win 7-5 vs. Philadelphia (Jan 1; high-scoring thriller).
Loss 1-4 vs. St. Louis (Dec 29; outshot 32-25). Nashville has averaged 4.4 goals per game in wins but 3.5 in losses, allowing 4.0 overall. Home form is decent (3-2 in last 5 at Bridgestone), with a 25% power-play rate.
Series History
The Predators hold a slight all-time edge over the Islanders, leading 24-13 in 37 regular-season meetings. Nashville has won 5 of the last 10 games, with an average total of 5.6 goals per game.
Previous Meeting (2025-26 Season): None yet; last was April 8, 2025 – Predators 7, Islanders 6 OT (high-scoring OT thriller in Nashville).
Other Recent Games: March 1, 2025 – Predators 7-4; April 6, 2024 – Predators 2-0. The series often features competitive, mid-scoring affairs (average margin 2.4 goals in last 5). The under has hit in 6 of 10 recent matchups. Home teams are 7-3 in the last 10, and Nashville has won 5 straight at Bridgestone Arena against the Islanders.
Injury Report
Injuries are impacting both teams, with the Islanders missing key forwards and the Predators dealing with forward and defensive absences. Updates as of January 8, 2026 (morning report; subject to change at puck drop):
New York Islanders:
Bo Horvat (C): Day-to-Day – Lower Body (expected to play Jan 8; missed practice but probable; impacts top line if out).
Kyle Palmieri (RW): IR – Knee (expected Sep 15, 2026; long-term, surgery; major scoring loss).
Alexander Romanov (D): IR – Shoulder (indefinite; defensive depth hit).
Ilya Sorokin (G): Recently returned – Back (played Jan 6; season-high saves, but monitoring). The Islanders’ offense is thinned without Palmieri, forcing more reliance on Anthony Duclair and Mathew Barzal.
Nashville Predators:
Jonathan Marchessault (RW): Out – Lower Body (day-to-day; missed recent games; key scorer absent).
Ozzy Wiesblatt (F): IR – Upper Body (expected Jan 8 or later; depth forward sidelined).
Steven Stamkos (C): Recently honored – No injury, but monitoring veteran minutes. The Predators’ forward group is impacted without Marchessault, shifting load to Ryan O’Reilly and Filip Forsberg.
Key Player Matchups
This inter-conference clash features speed vs. physicality, with special teams likely playing a key role in a projected low-scoring affair.
Mathew Barzal (NYI, C) vs. Ryan O’Reilly (NSH, C): Barzal’s speed and playmaking (team-high assists) could exploit Nashville’s transition defense; O’Reilly’s faceoff prowess (55%) and two-way play must contain him.
Anthony Duclair (NYI, LW) vs. Roman Josi (NSH, D): Duclair’s recent hat trick form brings finishing; Josi’s offensive output from the blue line (team-high points among D) could counter while shadowing wingers.
Filip Forsberg (NSH, LW) vs. Noah Dobson (NYI, D): Forsberg’s shot volume (team-high goals) tests Dobson’s coverage; if Forsberg exploits mismatches, Nashville pulls ahead.
Goaltending: Ilya Sorokin (NYI, .915 SV% recent) vs. Juuse Saros (NSH, .910 SV%) – Sorokin’s return could stabilize the Islanders.
Betting Trends
New York Islanders: 22-21 ATS overall; 11-12 ATS on the road. Unders have hit in 6 of last 10 (defensive focus), and as underdogs, 10-9 SU but 12-7 ATS. 3-2 ATS in last 5.
Nashville Predators: 20-22 ATS; 11-9 ATS at home. Overs in 5 of last 10, but as favorites, 14-8 SU and 12-10 ATS. 6-4 ATS in last 10 during revival.
Head-to-Head Trends: Under in 6 of 10 (avg. 5.6 goals); Predators 5-5 SU in last 10, but home teams 7-3 ATS. Underdogs 5-5 ATS recently.
League-Wide: NHL unders cashing at 56% in inter-conference games; home favorites like Nashville are 58% ATS this season.
Game Odds
New York Islanders 5.5
Nashville Predators – 120
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Wednesday, January 7, 2026
