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Predators Take on the Islanders In Search of Building a Win Streak

By Chad Minton

UNIONDALE, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 17: Pekka Rinne #35 and Dante Fabbro #57 of the Nashville Predators defend against Ross Johnston #32 of the New York Islanders at NYCB Live's Nassau Coliseum on December 17, 2019 in Uniondale, New York. The Predators defeated the Islanders 8-3. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
UNIONDALE, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 17: Pekka Rinne #35 and Dante Fabbro #57 of the Nashville Predators defend against Ross Johnston #32 of the New York Islanders at NYCB Live's Nassau Coliseum on December 17, 2019 in Uniondale, New York. The Predators defeated the Islanders 8-3. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /
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The time is now for the Nashville Predators to build a decent winning streak if they want to make a surge into the playoff field.

After starting off the four-game Canada road trip with two win, the Nashville Predators suffered two setbacks by losing to Edmonton and Vancouver to split the four games.

If you look at the current standings going into tonight’s game with the New York Islanders, the Predators are in the middle of a cluster of teams all vying for two wildcard spots.

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There are eight teams all within eight points of each other, and the Predators have 59 points but have played the fewest games.

The Islanders will be another difficult challenge tonight as the Predators return home to Bridgestone Arena. With 72 points, the Islanders are pushing for first place in the Metropolitan Division.

In roster news, Yakov Trenin has been reassigned to the Milwaukee Admirals, leaving room for Austin Watson to likely remain in the lineup despite some criticism.

It may be easy to forget, but the Predators easily crushed the Islanders not that long ago to the tune of a 8-3 final score back in December. Just another reminder of how flashy the Predators can be.

We also have the trade deadline looming over our heads, Whatever the Predators do in these next six games will likely dictate which the direction the Predators decide to go in as far as being buyers, sellers or a little bit of both.

Seeing possible trade block players like Mikael Granlund, Nick Bonino and Craig Smith continue to play well makes for an interesting proposition to how much longer they’ll stick around.

Puck drop is at 7 P.M. CDT as the Predators try to turn things around at home. They’ve surprisingly not been very strong at home this season, and more reliable on the road.

Fans need to stick by this team and create that electric home atmosphere again.

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