The New York Islanders have not had the best of luck against the Nashville Predators in recent history. In fact, the Predators have won the last eight meetings between these two teams dating back to 2018. However, this feels like the night where the Islanders finally get the win.
The Predators had a huge win last night on the road in New Jersey, beating the Devils 4-3 in overtime, which was their second straight game where they won in OT.
The Islanders are coming off of a bad road loss in Philadelphia and will be excited to play in front of their home crowd. Find out which team will prevail tonight in our free NHL picks and predictions for Predators vs. Islanders on December 2.
Predators vs Islanders best odds
Predators vs Islanders picks and predictions
The Islanders have been an interesting story this season. As a team, they have been rather mediocre, but Ilya Sorokin has absolutely lights out in goal and is making a very strong case for the Vezina Trophy early on. Sorokin enters this game boasting a 10-6-0 record with a .933 save percentage and a 2.18 goals against average to go with his league-leading 16.0 goals saved above expected. There is a real argument to be made that he is the best goalie in the league right now.
Juuse Saros was in goal last night for the Predators, which means that it is more than likely that Kevin Lankinen sees the cage tonight. Lankinen hasn’t had a bad start to the season, entering this game with a 2-3-0 record, sporting a .922 SV% and a 2.50 GAA.
I would say the Islanders have the advantage in nearly every category — meaning offense, defense, goaltending, and special teams. The Islanders' special teams have been strong lately, scoring power-play goals in four straight contests, converting on five of their last 13 tries, while the Preds haven’t converted on the man advantage in their last three games. This is right on brand since Nashville is one of the worst offensive teams in the league.
Bottom line is that the Islanders' defense and goaltending are much stronger than Nashville’s offense. I think this ultimately gives New York the edge, and I see them winning this game in regulation.
My best bet: Islanders three-way moneyline (-110 at BetMGM)
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Predators vs Islanders moneyline analysis
The Islanders have won four out of their last five games and have looked very strong out of the gate to start the season. Despite their years of losing to the Predators, this game feels different, considering the fact that the Preds are playing the latter of a back-to-back and their third game in four nights. The Islanders need to take advantage of their fatigue.
Even though they had a tough loss in their previous game, the Islanders have been playing a great stretch of hockey. They enter this game as the fifth-best team at generating scoring chances, averaging 11.95 per game while skating to a 3.05 xGF.60.
Another factor that gives the Islanders an advantage tonight is being on home ice. They are skating to an 8-3-0 record at UBS Arena this season, while Nashville is 4-6-0 on the road. The Islanders have won their last three straight home games.
Right now, I will take Ilya Sorokin against anyone. I think he and the Islanders get the win tonight.
Predators vs Islanders Over/Under analysis
The Islanders have been one of the best defensive teams in the league, thanks to their goaltending. They enter this game as the fifth-best team in goals against and on the penalty kill, allowing just 2.58 goals against per game and skating to an 83.1% success rate when being a man down.
The Predators have been more or so in the middle of the pack when it comes to defensive statistics, but more importantly, they don’t score a ton of goals. This means they should have an even harder time against a team like New York.
Sorokin vs. Lankinen is a solid goaltending matchup, and neither team really has any offensive superstars. This leads me to believe that this game will be a low-scoring affair. I like the Under.
Predators vs Islanders betting trend to know
The Islanders are 3-0-0 in their last three home games. Find more NHL betting trends for Predators vs Islanders.
Predators vs Islanders game info
| Location: | UBS Arena, Elmont, NY |
| Date: | Friday, December 2, 2022 |
| Puck drop: | 7:30 p.m. ET |
| TV: | HULU |
