New York Islanders vs Nashville Predators Picks & Predictions for Thursday, January 8, 2026
The New York Islanders travel to Bridgestone Arena to face the Nashville Predators on Thursday, January 8, 2026. This cross-conference matchup, scheduled for 8:00 PM EST on ESPN+, sees the Islanders entering with momentum after a dominant 9-0 shutout victory on Tuesday. This is the first of two meetings between the clubs this season. For expert analysis and daily wagering insights on the full slate of NHL action, be sure to check out the latest free NHL picks over at Winners and Whiners.
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New York Islanders Starting Seven-Game Road Trip
The Islanders enter this contest with a 24-15-4 record, including a solid 10-7-2 mark on the road.3 Offensively, New York has found its rhythm lately, bringing their season average to 2.91 goals per game. Defensively, they remain one of the stingiest teams in the league, allowing only 2.70 goals per game (8th in the NHL). Their penalty kill has also been elite, successfully navigating 81.8% of shorthanded situations.
The Islanders' lineup is currently missing its captain and leading scorer. Bo Horvat is OUT with a lower-body injury sustained on January 1; while the injury is not believed to be serious, he is not expected to play in Nashville. Kyle Palmieri remains on Injured Reserve and is out for the season following ACL surgery. Additionally, defenseman Alexander Romanov is OUT for the next several months after undergoing shoulder surgery. In goal, the Islanders are expected to turn back to their primary starter, who holds a 2.45 GAA and .915 save percentage.
| # | Handicapper | Profit |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |  The Insiders Room | +1,793.00 |
| 2 |  Tony Karpinski | +1,731.00 |
| 3 |  Jesse Schule | +1,599.00 |
| 4 |  Rob Vinciletti | +1,284.00 |
| 5 |  David Delano | +1,232.00 |
Nashville Predators Returning Home for Stand
The Nashville Predators sit at 19-19-4 and return to Bridgestone Arena following a road trip that ended with a 6-2 loss in Edmonton. Nashville has been balanced at home (10-9-2) but has struggled with defensive consistency, allowing 3.38 goals per game (25th in the NHL). Their offense has also been middle-of-the-pack, scoring 2.81 goals per game, though their power play remains dangerous at 19.8%.
Nashville is monitoring the status of a key veteran winger. Jonathan Marchessault is day-to-day with a lower-body injury and has missed the last nine games; while his recovery has been slower than expected, he remains a game-time decision for tonight. The Predators are also without rookie Ozzy Wiesblatt, who is on Injured Reserve with an upper-body injury. On the blue line, Roman Josi is on Injured Reserve with an upper-body injury, and Nicolas Hague remains sidelined as well.
New York Islanders vs. Nashville Predators Prediction
The Islanders appear to be the more disciplined team at this stage of the season. Even without their top center, New York’s defensive structure and goaltending have been superior to Nashville’s. The Predators have struggled to keep the puck out of their net recently, and if Nashville's top defensive pairing remains on the shelf, the Islanders' balanced attack should be able to capitalize on a tired Nashville squad returning from a long road trip.
New York Islanders vs. Nashville Predators ATS Pick
- Pick: New York Islanders +1.5 (-230)
The Islanders are currently playing some of their best defensive hockey of the year, as evidenced by their recent 9-0 victory.10 While the moneyline is enticing, the puck line provides significant security. New York has been excellent at keeping games close on the road, and with Nashville missing Roman Josi and potentially Jonathan Marchessault, the Predators lack the depth to pull away from a structured New York defense.
New York Islanders vs. Nashville Predators Total Pick
- Pick: Under 5.5 (EVEN)
This matchup features two teams that generally prefer a structured, low-event style of play. The Islanders' defense is top-10 in the league, and they will likely look to slow the game down on the road without Bo Horvat. Nashville has struggled to score more than two goals in three of their last five games. Expect a tight, playoff-style battle where goals are at a premium.
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