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Islanders vs. Predators prediction: Nashville favored to win Thursday's NHL matchup [1/8/2026]
Updated: | First published:
Written by Jason Bevilacqua, Head of Content and Communities
Get NY Islanders vs Nashville Predators predictions for NHL Thursday.
The Nashville Predators will take on the NY Islanders, in what is expected to be a tight NHL game, at Bridgestone Arena on Thursday, commencing at 8:00 PM ET.
Based on the latest simulation results, Dimers' advanced NHL model gives the Predators a slight edge with a 52% win probability over the Islanders.
This article offers a closer look at Thursday's Islanders vs. Predators matchup, including projected goal scorers, best bets and player prop picks.
Isles vs. Predators prediction: Who will win and cover?
Using innovative machine learning and data, we have simulated the outcome of Thursday's NHL game between the Islanders and Predators 10,000 times as part of our NHL predictions coverage.
Our famous predictive model gives the Predators a 52% chance of defeating the Islanders.
According to our model, the Islanders (+1.5) have a 70% chance of covering the puck line, while the over/under total of 5.5 goals has a 53% chance of going over.
Islanders vs. Predators odds
We have sourced the best NHL odds in America for this game, which are listed here:
| Bet Type | Islanders | Predators |
|---|---|---|
| Puck Line | +1.5 (-220) | -1.5 (+200) |
| Moneyline | +114 | -130 |
| Total | o5.5 (-125) | u5.5 (+105) |
All odds are correct at the time of publication and are subject to change.
Islanders vs. Predators picks and best bet
After matching our predictions against the best current odds, we can reveal our picks for each of the major markets. Plus, find our best bet for the game below:
| Bet Type | Pick | Bet Now |
|---|---|---|
| Puck Line | Islanders +1.5 | -220 |
| Moneyline | Islanders | +114 |
| Total | Under 5.5 | +105 |
According to our NHL best bets, the top play to make on this game is Islanders to win.
Islanders vs. Predators player props
Who will score a goal in Islanders vs. Predators?
According to our model, Filip Forsberg is most likely to score an anytime goal in Islanders vs. Predators.
Our projections give Forsberg a 36.2% chance of scoring a goal at Bridgestone Arena, while the star is a 7.5% chance of netting the first goal the game.
Anytime goal scorer predictions
NY Islanders
| Player | Anytime Goal Probability |
|---|---|
| Anders Lee | 28.7% |
| Mathew Barzal | 25.7% |
| Simon Holmstrom | 24.9% |
| Emil Heineman | 22.0% |
| Calum Ritchie | 20.9% |
Nashville Predators
| Player | Anytime Goal Probability |
|---|---|
| Filip Forsberg | 36.2% |
| Steven Stamkos | 35.8% |
| Ryan O'Reilly | 23.0% |
| Michael Bunting | 21.5% |
| Luke Evangelista | 19.8% |
First goal scorer predictions
NY Islanders
| Player | First Goal Probability |
|---|---|
| Anders Lee | 6.2% |
| Mathew Barzal | 5.3% |
| Simon Holmstrom | 4.9% |
| Calum Ritchie | 4.1% |
| Max Shabanov | 4.0% |
Nashville Predators
| Player | First Goal Probability |
|---|---|
| Filip Forsberg | 7.5% |
| Steven Stamkos | 7.4% |
| Ryan O'Reilly | 4.5% |
| Luke Evangelista | 3.9% |
| Michael Bunting | 3.7% |
Isles vs. Predators game-day updates and essential details
Thursday's action between the Predators and Islanders at Bridgestone Arena is scheduled to start at 8:00 PM ET.
- Who: NY Islanders vs. Nashville Predators
- Date: Thursday, January 8, 2026
- Time: 8:00 PM ET/5:00PM PT
- Venue: Bridgestone Arena
Conclusion
We predict the Predators, with a 52% win probability, will likely beat the Islanders on Thursday.
AI and automation have enhanced this article to quickly deliver accurate Islanders vs. Predators insights, with human oversight ensuring high editorial quality. Our predictions are based on up-to-date data to help you make informed decisions. For additional resources and advice on responsible gambling, please call 1-800-GAMBLER.
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Jason Bevilacqua, an expert in MLB, NHL, NBA, MLS, and NFL, delivers game previews, best bets, and props. Since 2020, as Head of Social and Community at Dimers, he has contributed insightful articles utilizing data-driven models and simulations.
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