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Predators Push Past Islanders for Massive Win

Originally posted on EasySportz | By Jackson Fryburger | Last updated Feb 1, 2026 1:34 AM ET

NASHVILLE — In what started as a textbook upset alert and ended as a gritty road victory, the Nashville Predators pulled off a 4-3 win over the New York Islanders Saturday night in Elmont, N.Y. The Preds’ comeback from a 2-0 early hole showcased opportunistic scoring, clutch goaltending and a late-game dagger from captain Roman Josi that sealed the deal with 1:14 left in regulation.

New York struck early in front of the UBS Arena faithful, with Mathew Barzal and Matthew Schaefer lighting the lamp inside the first six minutes to build a 2–0 lead that looked primed to put Nashville on its heels. But instead of folding, the Predators battled back with a balanced attack that rattled off four unanswered goals. Filip Forsberg led the way with two tallies , chipping away and tying the contest, while Matthew Wood added a goal and an assist in a pivotal night for Nashville’s depth scorers.

Won the night

https://t.co/vjxqL5OzKo
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— Nashville Predators (@PredsNHL) February 1, 2026

Juuse Saros, often the backbone of Predator resilience, delivered 27 saves , including a couple of high-leverage stops in the final moments that kept the comeback alive. Meanwhile, New York’s Ilya Sorokin made 38 saves of his own but couldn’t quite hold the fort in crunch time as his club’s three-game winning streak dissolved late.

By the numbers: Nashville outshot the Isles 42-30, battled to finishes on puck possession despite losing the faceoff battle (40.7% to 59.3%) and cashed in on a power-play chance — where their opportunism proved decisive — leaving NYI’s penalty kill scrambling all night.

What makes this result especially sweet for Predator fans isn’t just the win — it’s the timing. Nashville snapped a three-game skid, halting a recent funk and earning four of six possible points on a tough road trip. Their comeback marked yet another instance this season where they’ve clawed back from early deficits — a sign of character if not a bit of stubborn grit that fans have come to love.

For the Islanders, it’s a game of what-ifs: an early two-goal cushion, a strong night from Sorokin, and even a late goal waved off on review — but in the end, New York couldn’t solve Saros when it mattered most. Barzal (goal and assist), Schaefer and Jean-Gabriel Pageau all found the scoresheet, but it wasn’t enough to keep Nashville from celebrating on enemy ice.

In the end, it was Josi — turning back the clock and posting his 200th career NHL goal with the game-winner — who capped a night of perseverance and balanced scoring for the Predators. In a tightly bunched playoff race, this kind of unexpected road performance can be a momentum shot in the arm. And whether Nashville’s been underrated or just quietly effective this season, Saturday night’s comeback was a reminder: never sleep on a Preds squad that always seems to find another gear.

This article first appeared on EasySportz and was syndicated with permission.

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