Game Preview: Islanders vs Predators

New York Islanders (35-27-12) vs Nashville Predators (38-25-11)
7 p.m. Barclays Center - Buy Tickets
TV: MSG+
Radio: 660AM & 101.9FM - WFAN, 88.7FM - WRHU
With two weeks left in the New York Islanders regular season, the playoff race is going to come down to the wire.
The Islanders (82 points) are two points back of the Boston Bruins (84 points) for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. The Isles have a game in hand on the Bruins, but Boston holds the first tiebreaker (regulation/OT wins), so every point is crucial down the stretch.

"We have eight games," John Tavares said after Saturday's loss to Boston. "There's not much time left, but there's still enough for us to get in. Disappointing we didn't get today, we know today was a big game and could have put us in a really good spot, but we'll keep battling till the end."

Isles vs. Preds:

The Islanders and Predators meet for the first time this season and will play each other twice in next eight nights. The Islanders have won four of their last five games against Nashville, including three straight games at home.

Tavares Streaking:

John Tavares is riding a six-game point streak (3G, 4A) and his 28th goal of the season tied Anders Lee for the team lead. Tavares also tied Bobby Nystrom for eighth on the Islanders' all-time goal list (235).
The Isles captain leads the team with 65 points (28G, 37A) in 74 games this season.

Predators Battling For Playoff Positioning:

The Predators (87 points) are battling for playoff positioning in the Western Conference. The Preds are currently third in the Central Division, but are looking to stay ahead of the surging St. Louis Blues (86 points), who are in the second wild card. The difference in the two spots - third in the Central plays Minnesota, while the second wild card plays Chicago.
The Predators have won three straight, including a 7-2 drubbing of the San Jose Sharks on Saturday night.
Ryan Johansen leads the team with 57 points (12G, 45A), while Filip Forsberg leads the team with 29 goals. Viktor Arvidsson - second in goals (28) and points (55) - is hot, with eight points (5G, 3A) in his last seven games.
PK Subban has 36 points (9G, 27A) in his first season with the Predators.