Welcome back to NHL Predictions! Today, like every day, Last Word on Hockey looks at the games happening and gives our predictions for each. We’ll also break down head-to-head matchups and other factors that may play in. Tonight, the New York Islanders take the ice for their first matchup of the season against the San Jose Sharks. Finally, be sure to check out more predictions for all the NHL’s games throughout the 2025-26 season.
NHL Predictions
New York Islanders vs. San Jose Sharks
Time: 7:00 p.m. EDT (Eastern Daylight Time)
TV: NBCSCA, MSGSN, ESPN+
2024-25 Season Series: Islanders Won 2-0
This matchup features two out-of-conference opponents going head-to-head. Neither team has come out of the gates hot to start the season. Through five games, the Islanders hold a 2-3 record, which has them sitting last place in the Eastern Conference’s Metropolitan Division. The Sharks, on the other hand, have been worse off, still yet to pick up their first win. They are 0-3-2 in their first five games, holding second-to-last in the Western Conference’s Pacific Division. These two teams will only meet twice this season, with the first one taking place on Long Island inside UBS Arena.
The Islanders’ Story
The Islanders come into this game on a two-game winning streak after losing their first three in a row. The recent winning streak can be attributed to a boost in production from their offence. They have scored four or more goals in their last two wins. This has skyrocketed them all the way up to 10th in the league in goals for, with 3.20 per game. Their top guys have been showing up for them. Bo Horvat, after a hat-trick, scored another goal in their most recent win. He leads the team with six points in five games. Mathew Barzal, as well, has three points in the last two games. Along with newcomer Jonathan Drouin, he rides a three-game point streak into tonight’s game. This production has been coming with a still-struggling power play at 15.8%, 22nd in the league. If they can figure that out, they could become a dangerous threat offensively.
Defensively is where they would like to clean things up. They have allowed four or more goals in all but one of their five games so far. This has them ranked 28th in the league in goals against per game at 3.80. Getting Alexander Romanov back would be a big help. After missing the last game with an upper-body injury, he is a game-time decision. The bright spot remains Matthew Schaefer, who extended his point streak to five games. He was even moved up to the first power play unit and is now getting penalty kill time. He is quickly earning the trust of coach Patrick Roy. Getting their franchise goalie back on track would help the bad defensive numbers out, too. Ilya Sorokin will get the start in this game. After picking up his first win last game, he is 1-3 with a disappointing .861 save percentage and 4.13 goals against.
The Sharks’ Story
The Sharks come into this game looking for their first win of the new season. Their struggles offensively are a big reason why. They were shutout in their last game and come into this game, ranking 27th in goals for at 2.60 a game. However, they score on the power play when given the chance. That unit ranks sixth in the league at 27.8%. Led by a young core, highlighted by the exciting 19-year-old Macklin Celebrini, he has five points in five games. 23-year-old William Eklund, and the second overall pick, Michael Misa. These two haven’t produced much with Ekuland’s two points in five games and Misa with none in just two games. It has been the veteran Jeff Skinner producing; he leads the team with three goals in five appearances.
Defensively is where things go from bad to worse. They are last in the league in goals against with 5.00 per game. They have given up five or more goals in three of their last four contests. Giving up 35.80 shots against per game, which is also the worst in the league. They’re also top 10 in high-danger shots against. Both goalies have struggled, but they haven’t been given much help in front of them. Strater Alex Nedelijkovic is 0-2-1 with a .890 save percentage and 3.69 goals against. Backup Yaroslav Askarov has been worse, but he will get the start against the Islanders tonight. He is 0-1-1 with an .833 save percentage and a 6.47 goals against.
Prediction
This is a matchup that seems to favour the Islanders in most areas. Their offensive numbers are better. The defensive numbers are rough for both sides, so this could be a high-scoring game. Special teams give a slight edge to the Sharks, whose power play has been good. New York has the edge in goaltending and home ice advantage. These factors lead us to believe that the Islanders will extend their winning streak to three in a row after tonight’s game.
Prediction: Islanders win 4-2
Prop Bets
Popular sports books have the Islanders as heavy favourites. The money line is -218, which is not a great value. We would recommend the puck line instead. Islanders -1.5 could be the play at +114; we feel this is a game they could win by multiple goals. Sharks +1.5 at -135 isn’t a bad play either, as the Islanders do tend to play in a lot of close one-goal games. The over/under is at 5.5. Given that both teams struggle defensively, there should be a lot of goals to come by. Take the over at -135.
As far as any-time goal scorers for the Islanders go, with Bo Horvat again. After goals in back-to-back games, look for him to keep the good times going in this one. For the Sharks’ second-overall pick, Michael Misa has yet to record a point. In a battle between top picks from this past year’s draft, be on the lookout for his first NHL goal.
Main Photo: Robert Edwards- Imagn Images
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