Two days after conquering the Rangers, the Nashville Predators press forward through Manhattan to battle the Islanders.
Nothing like the smell of vulcanized rubber and victory to start the season. The Nashville Predators survived a hard-fought battle against the New York Rangers, earning a season-opening two points. Tonight, the Predators press forward, deeper into Manhattan, to take on an Islanders team under a new general.
That leader is Barry Trotz. The reigning Stanley Cup coach and former Predators leader took his game to the Empire State. Last season, the Islanders finished with 80 points, missing the playoffs for the second season in a row. Trotz has only experienced seasons of 80 points or fewer five times. Those were the first five season of Nashville Predators existence. The Islanders have 8 seasons of 80 or fewer points since 2007.
Both the Predators and Islanders are coming off wins to open their seasons. Nashville has not started the season with a 2-0-0 record in the last three seasons. They haven’t won their first two road games since the 2011-12 season. It was the last season Trotz drove the Predators to the playoffs. Only Roman Josi, Ryan Ellis, Craig Smith, and Pekka Rinne remain from that team.
The teams are different now. Nashville is a perennial contender for the NHL’s ultimate prize. The Islanders are looking to retool their team back into a contender, winning their first Cup since 1983. In a battle to start their season with two wins, which team will come out on top?
Here is what you need to know.