Nashville Predators Battle New York Islanders Tonight at Bridgestone Arena

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Nashville Predators host the New York Islanders tonight at 7 p.m. CT at Bridgestone Arena, concluding a two-game homestand. This matchup marks the final game against an Eastern Conference team for the Predators this season, and each team will look to build momentum as the regular season winds down.

Despite struggling recently, with their last six games yielding no wins, the Predators aim to keep their energy up as they face off against the Islanders. “[These are] the dog days of the season… we’ve got to find a way to bring energy into the rink,” said Predators forward Michael McCarron. “There’s a lot of young guys in here that are fighting for jobs next year; we have to create a good culture, which starts with a good attitude every day.”

Predators forward Matthew Wood made a notable NHL debut in the team’s previous game, a 2-1 loss to the Montreal Canadiens. Wood expressed excitement about his first game: “It was a great opportunity, and I was really fortunate to experience that. After the first period, I was a lot less nervous, and it was fun.” The team is looking for similar performances as they push through the final stretch of the regular season.

Nashville’s practice on Monday saw limited participation, with Jonathan Marchessault (day-to-day) and others working back from injuries. Head Coach Andrew Brunette remains away from the team due to family matters, though Assistant Coach Todd Richards confirmed that Marchessault will return to the lineup for tonight’s game.

On the ice, Steven Stamkos recorded Nashville’s lone goal against Montreal, while Filip Forsberg continues to lead the team with 29 goals and 70 points. Marchessault follows with 19 goals and 30 assists, and Stamkos has contributed 25 goals and 47 points. Meanwhile, goaltender Juuse Saros holds a record of 18-30-6 this season.

The Islanders, currently on a two-game winning streak after defeating the Washington Capitals 4-1, have managed to keep their defense solid, allowing just two goals in the last two games. New York captain Anders Lee leads the Isles with 28 goals, while Bo Horvat posts 53 total points this season. Goalie Ilya Sorokin has a record of 29-23-6.

In terms of historical matchups, the Predators boast a strong all-time record of 23-10-3 against the Islanders, including a home record of 13-4-1 in Tennessee. Nashville’s recent success at Bridgestone Arena, winning the last five meetings there, adds to the pressure for New York to come out strong tonight.

Pre-game coverage begins at 6:30 p.m. CT, featuring a live broadcast on FanDuel Sports Network South. Streaming options are also available for viewers nationwide, alongside Spanish-language coverage on El Jefe. Tip-off for fans and gamblers alike will find the Islanders favored at -125 to win, suggesting a competitive matchup ahead.