Nashville Predators vs New York Islanders Picks and Predictions April 8th 2025

Islanders Riding Momentum After Historic Win

Fresh off a 4-1 victory over the Washington Capitals, the New York Islanders head into Tuesday night’s showdown with the Nashville Predators brimming with both confidence and urgency. While Alexander Ovechkin made history with his record-breaking 895th career goal, the Islanders were focused on a far more pressing matter: securing two critical points in the Eastern Conference playoff race.

“Kind of where we’re at, we needed the win,” said team captain Anders Lee, acknowledging the significance of both the occasion and the standings.

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Playoff Picture: A Steep Hill to Climb

Currently holding a 34-32-10 record with 78 points, the Islanders trail the Montreal Canadiens by seven points for the final wild-card slot in the East. Standing in their way are the New York Rangers and Detroit Red Wings, both vying for the same coveted postseason berth.

The Isles have had an up-and-down season, including a costly 0-4-2 skid that threatened to derail their playoff aspirations. However, back-to-back wins—most recently against the Capitals—have breathed new life into their campaign.

Predators Struggling to Stay Afloat

On the flip side, the Nashville Predators (27-42-8, 62 points) find themselves mired in a six-game losing streak. Their most recent setback came against the Canadiens, a frustrating 2-1 loss despite outshooting Montreal 37-17. Nashville’s inability to capitalize on chances has become a recurring theme.

“Same story, different night,” said veteran forward Michael McCarron. “We probably played 55 really good minutes. A five-minute lapse in the second period cost us.”

This marks the third time this season the Predators have endured a winless streak of six or more games, highlighting deep-rooted issues in both defense and consistency.

Key Players to Watch

New York Islanders:

• Ilya Sorokin – Expected to start in goal, Sorokin has posted a 7-4-2 record in his last 13 starts with a solid 2.50 GAA and .914 save percentage.
• Bo Horvat – The team’s top playmaker with 27 assists and 53 points.
• Anders Lee – The veteran forward leads the team with 27 goals and continues to be a key locker-room voice.

Nashville Predators:

• Filip Forsberg – Leading the team in goals (29), assists (41), and points (70).
• Justus Annunen – Likely to start in net, carrying a 2.97 GAA and .896 save percentage since being acquired from Colorado.

Recent History Favors Nashville—But Can It Continue?

Despite their current struggles, the Predators have dominated this matchup at home. Nashville is 5-0-0 in their last five home games against the Islanders, a streak that dates back to the 2017-18 season. However, New York won the last meeting between the two teams in resounding fashion, a 7-4 win on March 1 where the Islanders set a season-high for goals.

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Game Outlook: What’s at Stake

For the Islanders, this is more than just a game—it’s a potential turning point. With playoff hopes hanging in the balance and only a handful of games left, every point counts. A win not only halts Nashville’s home dominance but keeps the Islanders’ postseason dreams alive.

For the Predators, pride and development take center stage. While the playoffs are out of reach, ending their losing streak and playing spoiler to a desperate team offers plenty of motivation.

Prediction: Islanders 4, Predators 2

Expect the Islanders to bring urgency and structure, capitalizing on Nashville’s defensive lapses and shaky goaltending. With Sorokin in form and offensive contributors like Lee and Horvat stepping up, New York has a strong shot at finally ending their Music City misery.