Game Preview: Islanders vs Predators

NEW YORK ISLANDERS (1-0-0) VS NASHVILLE PREDATORS (1-0-0)
7 PM | BARCLAYS CENTER | BUY TICKETS
TV: MSG+ MSG GO
RADIO: 88.7FM - WRHU | 103.9FM - WRCN | RADIO.COM
GAME NOTES | MORNING SKATE UPDATES
HOME OPENER:
The New York Islanders are playing their home opener on Saturday night at Barclays Center.
It's the Islanders fourth home opener in Brooklyn and fans are encouraged to come at 4 p.m. for a pre-game celebration. Islanders legends Billy Smith, Bryan Trottier and Bobby Nystrom will be present and signing autographs on at Barclays Center's Resorts World Casino NYC Plaza. The event will also feature live music and all fans will receive a magnetic schedule.

The Isles are 27-12-6 all-time in home openers (2-0-1 at Barclays Center) and have gone 3-0-2 in their last 5 home openers. It will be the first time that the Isles have faced Nashville in a home opener.
Find out more about the Islanders pre-game celebrations.

TAKING ON THE PREDATORS:
The Islanders and Predators will meet twice in a week, starting Saturday night in Brooklyn and again on Oct. 13 in Nashville. These are the lone two meetings between the clubs this season.
The Isles went 1-0-1 against the Preds last season, with the road team winning both games. Overall, the Isles have points in their last three games against Nashville (2-0-1).
ISLANDERS NOTES:
-- Thomas Greiss will start in goal while the Islanders will ice the same lineup from Thursday's win in Carolina.
See projected lines and get all the latest from our morning skate updates
.
-- The Islanders are looking for their second straight win after beating the Carolina Hurricanes 2-1 in OT on Thursday night. Thomas Greiss made 45 saves in the win, while Josh Bailey scored the OT winner.
-- Head Coach Barry Trotz is looking for improvement out of the Islanders in their second game of the season. The Isles were outshot 46-20 in their season opener and the coach wants to see better puck management and decision-making out of his club.
-- Brock Nelson is one goal shy of his 100th career NHL goal.
PREDATORS NOTES:
-- Juuse Saros is the expected starter for Nashville, according to The Athletic's Adam Vingan.
For projected lines and the latest news, see our morning skate updates
.
-- The Predators are 1-0-0 after beating the New York Rangers in their season opener on Thursday. Filip Forsberg, PK Subban and Colton Sissons scored for Nashville while Pekka Rinne made 34 saves.
-- The Predators are the reigning Presidents' Trophy winners as the NHL's top regular season team. Nashville finished the 2017-18 season with 117 points, but were eliminated by Winnipeg in the second round of the playoffs.
-- Nashville's defensive depth is one of their strengths, as their top four boasts captain Roman Josi, PK Subban, Ryan Ellis and Mattias Ekholm. Subban (59 points) and Josi (53) each eclipsed 50 points last season.

ISLANDERS PLAYER TO WATCH: JOSH BAILEY:
Josh Bailey scored the overtime winner on Thursday night, ripping a one-timer on a 4-on-3 power play. Bailey is one of the focal points of the Isles offense this season, settling into a role as a triggerman off the half wall on the top power-play unit while also playing on a line with Mathew Barzal. Bailey was named an alternate captain on Thursday.
PREDATORS PLAYER TO WATCH: P.K. SUBBAN:
P.K. Subban led all Predators defense with 59 points last season and is one of the top offensive defensemen in the NHL. Subban was a finalist for the Norris Trophy last season and is always a threat to score or throw a big hit when he's on the ice. An electric player, Subban is one fourth of a dangerous top-four d corps in Nashville.