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Islanders vs Predators Picks and Predictions – Thursday January 8, 2026
New York hits the road feeling good about itself after a 9-0 demolition of New Jersey, and it matters that Ilya Sorokin looked fully dialed in coming off the lower-body injury. The Islanders needed that kind of goalie stability to survive a tight Eastern picture, and now they open a seven-game trip with a matchup that has not treated them kindly.
Nashville finally gets back home after weeks away and they should be motivated after a rough finish in Edmonton. The Predators have controlled this head-to-head for years, they have been strong at home against New York, and they’re catching the Islanders in a classic spot where a huge win can create a little emotional drop.
New York Islanders vs Nashville Predators Odds
These are the current betting lines, but goalie confirmation can swing NHL prices quickly, so keep monitoring the latest NHL odds leading into puck drop.
| Team | Moneyline | Puck Line | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York Islanders | +100 | +1.5 (-267) | O 5.5 (-122) |
| Nashville Predators | -119 | -1.5 (+207) | U 5.5 (-102) |
New York Islanders Betting Form
The Islanders’ ceiling looks different when Sorokin is healthy, but this is where the schedule gets real. Seven games in 14 days tends to expose teams that can’t keep their structure on tired legs, especially after travel days. The 9-0 game is not predictive by itself, but it does show what New York can do when they win puck battles early and force the opponent to defend inside.
From a betting lens, the key question is goalie deployment. Sorokin returned and looked sharp, but it would not be surprising if New York gives David Rittich this start to manage the workload. If that’s the plan, the under becomes a tougher sell and the Islanders’ +1.5 becomes more valuable than the moneyline, because variance rises.
If you want to track their recent splits and where the production is coming from, start with New York Islanders stats and results. Also check the New York Islanders injury report before you bet, because this roster’s scoring depth looks very different depending on who’s actually available.
Nashville Predators Betting Form
Nashville’s trip ended with a six-goal against night, but that game also came with long stretches where they were competitive before a handful of bad decisions flipped it. That’s been the Predators’ issue when they lose: not effort, but the mistakes that turn into instant scoring chances. Back home, they should tighten up, and the matchup history suggests they generally read the Islanders well.
Juuse Saros is the pivot point for Nashville totals. If he starts, you can justify playing into a lower scoring profile even against an Islanders team that just erupted, because New York does not always carry that finishing to the next game. If the Predators lean into a heavier forecheck at home and keep this in the trenches, they can grind New York’s transition game down and tilt the ice.
You can follow their recent results and home splits on Nashville Predators schedule and stats. Keep an eye on availability, especially up front, via the Nashville Predators injury report.
New York Islanders vs Nashville Predators Matchup Breakdown
At 5v5, this is a contest of pace control. New York wants clean exits and quick touches through the middle to get Barzal and company attacking with speed. Nashville wants to deny that first pass, force chips, and make New York play long shifts in its own end. When the Predators have won this series, it’s usually because the Islanders can’t get to their transition looks consistently.
Special teams could decide it, because both clubs can be streaky there. If the whistle count climbs, it becomes more about finishing and goalie performance than pure structure. If the game stays at even strength, Nashville’s home matchup comfort gives them a clearer path to dictating where the shots come from.
Goaltending still matters more than anything here. Sorokin looked great in his return, but it’s not guaranteed he starts this one. Saros is the logical expectation for Nashville, but until starters are confirmed, bettors should treat both the side and total as adjustable positions rather than locked takes.
The environment is stable: Bridgestone Arena is indoors, no weather variable, no wind effect on puck handling. That typically favors cleaner breakouts and passing, but it also means the total is mostly about how much Nashville can slow the game down through the neutral zone and how disciplined both teams are.
New York Islanders vs Nashville Predators Predictions and Best Bets
I lean Nashville in this spot because the matchup history isn’t random and the situational angle lines up. New York is stepping into the first game of a long trip after an emotional blowout win, while Nashville has been waiting to get back home and usually plays its best hockey there. At -119, the Predators moneyline is priced like a modest edge, not a slam dunk, but it’s the side I’d rather be on.
The total is where I’m more cautious. The number is only 5.5, but whether Sorokin starts changes how aggressive you should be. If it’s Sorokin vs Saros, I’d be much more interested in the under profile. If Rittich goes, the Islanders can still win, but it’s likelier you get the kind of goals that break an under even if the overall pace isn’t crazy.
Given the uncertainty around New York’s crease, I’d rather keep the bet clean and play the home side at a fair price instead of forcing a total read.
Best Bet: Nashville Predators Moneyline (-119)
NHL Picks and Handicappers on ScoresAndStats
If you’re playing the NHL card regularly, the best workflow is comparing your number to what the market is doing and then tracking who’s beating closing lines over time. The NHL picks page is the quickest way to scan daily leans and see where opinions stack up across games.
For longer-term consistency, the Best Handicappers hub and the live handicapper leaderboard make it easy to follow the hottest profiles without guessing. If you want full-card access and tighter timing on releases, you can also buy picks.
For more matchup-based reads similar to this one, the NHL previews hub is built for bettors, and if you want to sharpen how you evaluate sides, totals, and derivatives, the NHL betting guide plus the Stanley Cup betting guide are useful references to keep your process consistent.
