The New York Islanders have been punching above their weight class as of late, and they are back in the playoff picture after an all-hands-on-deck win against the Blue Jackets on Thursday.
But even after winning three straight heading into Saturday night’s game against the Nashville Predators, I’m still not convinced. Another team on the brink of the playoffs.
The Predators’ offense has been in a shaky mood for the last month as Nashville has had some shaky results on both sides.
But Filip Forsberg is a point-producing shepherd, picking up three points in Thursday’s win over the Blues and taking his tally to 11 points in his past nine games.
When Forsberg scores, the Predators are 36-12-3 because secondary scoring typically follows.
Nashville has the eighth-highest expected goal percentage and ranks within the top 10 in high-danger scoring chances.
The Islanders’ star players aren’t all that reliable, resulting in less than three goals per game.
Despite the Isles’ solid high-danger scoring percentage, they had no luck with the puck, posting an unsatisfactory 9.8 shooting percentage.
Would you bet on the NHL?
The Islanders were hampered by the most incompetent penalty kill in hockey, making it difficult for the Predators’ power play to be on the rise.
The Preds’ road record is 22-12-3.
Two heavyweight goaltenders competing against each other on teams aiming for the playoffs are setting this matchup up as a selectman, so I favor the team that makes a sizable return.
play: Predators money line.
