Islanders Face Predators In Saturday Matinee: Lines & Notes
The Islanders have three more games to go before the NHL's Trade Deadline
ELMONT, NY — After defeating the Boston Bruins in their final meeting of the season, the New York Islanders (26-25-7) host the Nashville Predators (21-30-7) in a Saturday matinee at UBS Arena.
Puck drop is scheduled for 12:30 p.m., and the game can be found on MSGSN.
Nashville is the lone team the Islanders have yet to face this season. The two teams split their meetings last season, with the Predators winning a 2-1 decision at Bridgestone Arena in January. New York picked up a 2-0 win on Long Island on April 6, with Semyon Varlamov pitching a 42-save shutout.
Maxim Tsyplakov will be a scratch for the Islanders on Saturday. Pierre Engvall will return to the lineup in his place.
PROJECTED LINEUP
Lee-Horvat-Duclair
Holmstrom-Nelson-Palmieri
Cizikas-Pageau-Fasching
Engvall-MacLean-Gatcomb
Romanov-DeAngelo
Pelech-Dobson
Boqvist-Pulock
Sorokin
Skarek
Who’s Hot:
After recording an assist against the Bruins, Nelson has a four-game point streak entering play on Saturday. The center has a goal and four assists for five points in that span.
Alexander Romanov opened the scoring on Thursday, giving him goals in back-to-back games. It’s the second time this season the defenseman has goals in consecutive games.
Kyle Palmieri has the most goals and points against Nashville among active Islanders, boasting 10 and 17, respectively, in 27 games. Brock Nelson tops the Islanders in assists with eight in 19 games.
Ilya Sorokin will make his sixth straight start on Thursday in Boston. He was relieved after 40 minutes of play against the New York Rangers on Tuesday with five goals against on 11 shots. Lifetime against the Bruins, he is 3-3-2 in nine career matchups, boasting a 2.97 GAA and .893 SV%, most recently making 26 saves on 30 shots in a win in their last meeting.
Opponents Notes:
Nashville made a significant overhaul to their roster over the summer. At forward, the Predators signed Steven Stamkos and Jonathan Marchessault as marquee moves this offseason. On defense, the Predators added Brady Skjei to their blue line, with Ryan McDonagh returning to the Tampa Bay Lightning via trade.
Despite a disappointing season to this point, the Predators upended the Winnipeg Jets 2-1 on Thursday, snapping the Jets’ 11-game winning streak. Filip Forsberg opened the scoring, and Tommy Novak scored the game-winner.
Stamkos is Nashville’s top scorer across the board against the Islanders. The former Tampa Bay Lightning captain has 22 goals and 24 assists for 46 points in 46 career matchups.
Juuse Saros will make the start for Nashville in Saturday’s game. The netminder picked up the win on Thursday against Winnipeg with 22 saves. Saros has also won his last seven starts against the Islanders, boasting a 7-1-0 record, 2.35 GAA and .915 SV% in eight career games against them, most recently making 24 saves in a win on Jan. 13, 2024.
Gustav Nyquist is being held out of the game for trade purposes.
Predators Latest Lines:
Forsberg-O'Reilly-Marchessault
Novak-Stamkos-Evangelista
Lucchini-Svechkov-Sissons
Bellows-McCarron-Smith
Skjei-Blankenburg
Del Gaizo-Schenn
Englund-Barron
Saros
Annunen
ISLANDERS NEWS
THN Isles: Islanders' Tony DeAngelo On Playing With Alexander Romanov
THN Isles: Why Patrick Roy Is Taking Maxim Tsyplakov Out Of The Islanders' Lineup Against Nashville
THN Isles: Kings Amongst Handful Of Teams To Show Interest In Islanders Kyle Palmieri
Complimentary Parking!
Once again for the 2024-25 season, those that drive a BMW can receive complimentary single-game parking in the Emerald Parking lot.
Please click the BMW | Islanders image below for parking registration information,
The stench coming out of Bridgeport isn’t a good look on Lou. A lot of things have to factor in at this trade deadline. Unfortunately unless there is a big deal out there Lou might stand pat again. It looks like other teams know Nelson isn’t going to be moved. If you don’t move Nelson why bother on Palms. Talking about doubling down! Even if they miraculously rally and do the impossible and make the playoffs, where are we going? Plus the disaster in Bridgeport things look bleak. Sure we have a couple of very good prospects in Eiserman and Danny Nelson, but how close are they ?
Only other possible big trade is with Jordan Kyrou and the Blues. Which might be expanded out. I think those are the only two things Lou is looking at.