Nashville Predators vs New York Islanders 28 October 2026 Prediction

During the opening weeks of the regular season, Nashville looked capable of competing with Vancouver for the worst record in the Western Conference. The Predators have since improved. The Islanders, meanwhile, have started their road trip poorly and need a response against a manageable opponent.

Nashville Has Earned Points Consistently

Consistency has been an issue for Nashville. The team has let seemingly secure leads slip away but has also won games in which it was a clear underdog. Andrew Brunette's team has lost two of its last three, although only one of those defeats came in regulation. The 3-2 loss to Pittsburgh came in overtime.

The Predators opened their current homestand with a 6-2 win over the reigning Presidents' Trophy winner. Special teams played a major role, with Nashville scoring four power-play goals. The Predators also finished ahead in expected goals, 3.6 to 2.5.

Nashville Predicted Lineup: Saros (Annunen) — Wilsby, Josi — Marchessault, O'Reilly, Stamkos

Full Roster: Defensemen: Hague, Struble, Shea, Perbix, Hunt; forwards: Burke, Kerfoot, Forsberg, Edstrom, Wood, Hoglander, Drury, Colton

Unavailable: Trudeau (injury)

Manager: Andrew Brunette

Islanders Remain Outside the Playoff Picture

Peter DeBoer's team has been unable to move back into a playoff position in the Eastern Conference because it continues to drop points. The Islanders have won only two of their last five games, beating Toronto 4-1 behind Simon Holmstrom's two goals and defeating Anaheim 3-2. Against the Ducks, New York held a 5.8-1.9 advantage in expected goals and a 25-17 edge in shots on goal.

The Islanders failed to build on that result, losing 3-2 in overtime to Los Angeles and 6-3 to Dallas. The third period decided the game against the Stars, as New York allowed three unanswered goals. Ilya Sorokin finished with an .840 save percentage.

Islanders Predicted Lineup: Sorokin (Varlamov) — Stanley, Schaefer — Holmstrom, Horvat, Palmieri

Full Roster: Defensemen: Pelech, Pulock, Kessel, DeAngelo; forwards: Heineman, Schenn, Eklund, Palat, Pageau, Duclair, MacLean, Cizikas, Chaffee

Unavailable: Barzal, Romanov, Ritchie, Maccelli (all injured)

Manager: Peter DeBoer

Islanders Have Struggled Against Nashville

Nashville has won each of the last three head-to-head meetings. The Islanders still earned a point in two of those games, losing 7-6 in overtime and 2-1 in a shootout. In their most recent meeting, late in the 2025-26 regular season, the Predators won 4-3 on the road after erasing a two-goal first-period deficit.

Key Match Facts

Nashville generates 2.8 expected goals per game, the eighth-lowest mark in the league.

The Predators rank among the NHL's top three teams in power-play efficiency at 33.3%.

The Islanders have killed off 86.1% of opposing power plays. Only four teams have a better rate.

Nashville vs Islanders Prediction: Nashville Moneyline

Main prediction: Both teams have struggled, but Nashville has home-ice advantage, while the Islanders have lost four of their last five road games. The Predators have recently beaten Colorado, St. Louis, and Dallas at home. They have also won all three recent meetings with New York. The recommended bet is Nashville moneyline at 1.82. Correct score prediction: 4-2.

Totals prediction: Nashville has been productive offensively but remains vulnerable at the other end. Over its last five games, Brunette's team has scored 15 regulation goals and allowed 14. The Islanders have scored 13 goals over the same span, including four against Toronto. The recommended totals bet is over 5.5 goals at 1.77.