The New York Islanders travel to Music City tonight to take on the Nashville Predators in a pivotal mid-season clash. With both teams fighting for playoff positioning as we enter the second half of the 2025-26 NHL season, these two points at Bridgestone Arena are crucial. If you are looking for how to watch the New York Islanders at Nashville Predators game on TV today, we have all the broadcast details, streaming options, and a full game preview below.
How to Watch: TV and Streaming Options
This matchup is one of the marquee games on tonight’s slate, but you won’t find it on traditional cable channels like TNT or local regional sports networks in the United States.
- Date: Thursday, January 8, 2026
- Time: 8:00 PM EST / 7:00 PM CT
- USA TV/Streaming: ESPN+, Hulu (Exclusive National Stream)
- Canada TV/Streaming: Sportsnet+ (Streaming), NHL Centre Ice
In the United States, this game is an ESPN+/Hulu exclusive, meaning it will not be broadcast on MSGSN or FanDuel Sports Network South. You must have a subscription to ESPN+, Disney+, or Hulu to stream the game live. In Canada, fans can catch the action via Sportsnet+ or through the NHL Centre Ice package.
Game Preview: Team Records and Recent Form
The New York Islanders (24-15-4) arrive in Nashville playing perhaps their best hockey of the season. They are currently 5th in the Eastern Conference and are fresh off a historic 9-0 demolition of the New Jersey Devils on Tuesday. That game saw goaltender Ilya Sorokin return from injury to post a 44-save shutout, while Anthony Duclair exploded for a hat trick and five points. The Isles are firing on all cylinders under head coach Patrick Roy, with rookie sensation Matthew Schaefer—the 2025 No. 1 overall pick—starting to heat up with two goals in his last outing.
On the other side, the Nashville Predators (19-19-4) are looking for consistency. They currently sit 11th in the Western Conference and are coming off a tough 6-2 loss to the Edmonton Oilers to end their road trip. Despite the loss, Steven Stamkos continues to make history, having recently scored his 600th career NHL goal. The Preds will be happy to be back on home ice at Bridgestone Arena, where they hope to stabilize their season and push back into the wildcard race.
Leading Scorers (2025-26 Season)
- New York Islanders: Bo Horvat leads the charge with 33 points (21 Goals, 12 Assists), closely followed by Mathew Barzal with 32 points (10 Goals, 22 Assists).
- Nashville Predators: Veteran Ryan O’Reilly is pacing the team with 36 points (12 Goals, 24 Assists).
Key Injuries
- Nashville Predators: Forward Jonathan Marchessault remains out with a lower-body injury, leaving a gap in their top-six scoring depth.
- New York Islanders: The Isles are relatively healthy, with Ilya Sorokin successfully returning to the crease this week.
Prediction and Betting Insight
The betting markets have the Nashville Predators as -120 favorites, with the Over/Under set at 5.5 goals.
Personally, I think the wrong team is favored here. The Islanders are riding a massive wave of momentum after that 9-0 victory, and getting Sorokin back in net is a game-changer. Nashville has struggled to keep the puck out of their net recently, giving up six goals to Edmonton, and without Marchessault, their offense lacks some punch. I expect the Islanders’ structure and renewed confidence to overwhelm a Predators team that is still searching for its identity this season.
I’m taking the Islanders on the moneyline (+100) and predicting a 4-2 victory for New York, hitting the Over.
If you are scrambling to find the New York Islanders on TV today, remember to fire up the ESPN+ app. For Predators fans, checking the Nashville Predators TV schedule is vital as they enter this home stand. As we watch the NHL point leaders for the 2025-26 season jostle for the Art Ross, don’t forget to test your own knowledge. Join our online hockey pool for cash prizes on my website—it’s the perfect way to add some stakes to tonight’s action.
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