Islanders Game 42 Preview at Nashville Predators: Lines, Notes and How To Watch

The New York Islanders (19-12-10) begin another lengthy road trip as they visit their former head coach, Barry Trotz, and the Nashville Predators (23-18-1) tonight at Bridgestone Arena. Here’s what you need to know before puck drop.

Mid-Season Grades:

It’s come up fast, but we’ve reached the halfway point of the season, so it’s time to hand out player grades. Of course, players like Noah Dobson, Mathew Barzal and Bo Horvat all received high marks, but others fell beneath the curve.

Either way, they’ve all had just as much of an influence on where the Islanders are in the standings today.

In Trotz’s House:

Speaking of influence, much of who the Islanders are can be credited to the work of former head coach Barry Trotz.

After being fired from the Islanders two years ago, Trotz has since taken over as the general manager in Nashville. That should make for a more than interesting reunion tonight.

Projected Lineup:

Lee-Horvat-Wahlstrom

Engvall-Nelson-Fasching

Holmstrom-Barzal-Palmieri

Martin-Pageau-Clutterbuck

Romanov-Dobson

Pelech-Mayfield

Reilly-Aho

Sorokin

Appleby

Last Time Out:

Lane Lambert sent the Islanders a message as they prepared to face the Toronto Maple Leafs on Thursday by drastically shaking up the team’s lineup.

It was touch and go at first, but things began to click as the Islanders mounted a comeback, eventually winning in overtime with a goal from Mathew Barzal.

The Opponent:

The Nashville Predators are 5-4-1 in their last 10 games, including a decisive 6-3 victory on the road over the Dallas Stars last night.

Juuse Saros is expected to make his 33rd start of the season tonight for the Predators. He owns a record of 16-15-1 with a .899 save percentage and a 3.09 GAA.

Filip Forsberg handles the bulk of the offense for the Predators, as he leads the team in both goals (22)  and points (47).

Nashville has the league’s 16th-ranked power play and its 25th overall penalty kill.

This is the first meeting between the Islanders and Predators this year. The Islanders have lost nine straight games to the Predators, with their last victory over them coming on Oct. 28, 2017.

How To Watch:

Puck drop between the Islanders and Predators from Bridgestone Arena is scheduled for just past 8 p.m. EST. The game is available to watch on MSGSN2 or streamed on MSG Plus or ESPN Plus for out-of-market viewers. 88.7 FM WRHU will produce the radio feed of the game, which can also be heard on 1050 AM ESPN or 103.9 FM WRCN.

FOLLOW ANDREW FANTUCCHIO ON 𝕏: @A_FANTUCCHIO

FOLLOW NYI HOCKEY NOW ON 𝕏 AND FACEBOOK