Islanders at Predators
The Nashville Predators answered getting blanked in the opener of their four-game homestand by recording a shutout of their own. Fresh off his 52nd career shutout, reigning Vezina Trophy winner Pekka Rinne once again is expected to get the nod as the Predators vie for a season sweep of the visiting New York Islanders on Saturday.
Rinne, who made 29 saves in Nashville's 3-0 triumph over Winnipeg on Thursday, watched fellow Finn Juuse Saros turn aside 26 shots in a 4-3 win over New York last Saturday. Ryan Johansen recorded an assist in the first meeting with the Islanders and joined Ryan Hartman and defenseman Roman Josi in netting their first goal of the season versus the Jets. New York, which is well-rested after posting a 4-0 victory over San Jose on Monday afternoon, begins a four-game road trip by seeking its third straight win in Music City. Reigning Calder Trophy recipient Mathew Barzal had a goal and an assist in the first encounter with Nashville before setting up captain Anders Lee's power-play goal against the Sharks to extend his assist streak to seven games (three goals, eight assists) dating to last season.
TV: 8 p.m. ET, MSG-Plus (New York), FS Tennessee (Nashville)
ABOUT THE ISLANDERS (2-1-0): Like Barzal, Bailey and Valtteri Filppula each had an assist on Monday to extend their point streaks to three games. Bailey set up a pair of goals -- including one on the power play -- against Nashville last Saturday and is tied with Barzal with a team-best four points. Signed in free agency, Robin Lehner put his best foot forward in his bid to be a No. 1 goaltender by turning aside all 35 shots versus the Sharks after Thomas Greiss split his first two decisions, with four goals on 23 shots resulting in a loss to the Predators.
ABOUT THE PREDATORS (3-1-0): Viktor Arvidsson scored twice in the first encounter with New York, and those two goals lead the team at the moment. Johansen and Filip Forsberg each dented the scoresheet versus the Jets, with the latter assisting on the former's first goal of the season. Forsberg had 13 goals with the man advantage last season and would like to ignite a fruitless power play that failed on all nine occasions against Winnipeg and is 0-for-15 in 2017-18.
OVERTIME
1. New York has scored a power-play goal in all three games this season and has yet to yield a goal while short-handed.
2. Rinne owns a 5-3-2 mark with a shutout in 10 career appearances versus the Islanders.
3. Predators C Kyle Turris has four goals and 11 assists in 20 games against New York.