Islanders at Predators preview

ISLANDERS (2-1-0) at PREDATORS (3-1-0)
8 p.m. ET; MSG+, FS-TN, NHL.TV

Ladd missed the first three games with an upper-body injury and is expected to play on a line with Valtteri Filppula and Leo Komarov. Forward Casey Cizikas was placed on injured reserve with a lower-body injury.
New York signed forward Stephen Gionta to a one-year, two-way contract and he is expected to play against Nashville on a line with Matt Martin and Cal Clutterbuck.
The Predators beat the Islanders 4-3 on Oct. 6 at Barclays Center. They got a 3-0 win against the Winnipeg Jets at home Thursday and have gone 1-1-0 at home.

Players to watch

Islanders forwards Josh Bailey and Mathew Barzal each have four points (one goal, three assists) in a three-game point streak.
Predators forward Ryan Hartman has three points (one goal, two assist).

They said it

"I feel really good. It was kind of a good break in the schedule where you could get three really good practices in and get up to speed where I think I need to be and be ready to go." -- Islanders forward Andrew Ladd on returning to the lineup
"When you first have your surgery done, you're kind of in the dumps a little bit. You know it's going to be a long summer. For the work to pay off, it felt good to be rewarded. But it's just one game. I'm trying to have a really productive year personally. For our team play as well, we started the season off pretty well as a team and just want to keep building off of that." -- Predators forward Ryan Hartman on his start after recovering from offseason shoulder surgery

Islanders projected lineup

Anthony Beauvillier -- Mathew Barzal -- Josh Bailey
Anders Lee -- Brock Nelson -- Jordan Eberle
Andrew Ladd -- Valtteri Filppula -- Leo Komarov
Matt Martin -- Stephen Gionta -- Cal Clutterbuck
Adam Pelech -- Ryan Pulock
Nick Leddy -- Johnny Boychuk
Thomas Hickey -- Scott Mayfield
Robin Lehner
Thomas Greiss
Scratched: Luca Sbisa, Tom Kuhnhackl, Ross Johnston
Injured: Casey Cizikas (lower body)

Predators projected lineup

Filip Forsberg -- Ryan Johansen -- Viktor Arvidsson
Kevin Fiala -- Kyle Turris -- Craig Smith
Calle Jarnkrok -- Nick Bonino -- Ryan Hartman
Zac Rinaldo -- Colton Sissons -- Miikka Salomaki
Roman Josi -- Ryan Ellis
Mattias Ekholm -- P.K. Subban
Dan Hamhuis -- Yannick Weber
Juuse Saros
Pekka Rinne
Scratched: Anthony Bitetto, Matt Irwin, Frederick Gaudreau
Injured: None
Suspended:Austin Watson

Status report

Islanders coach Barry Trotz said he doesn't think Cizikas' injury is serious. … Saros occupied the starter's crease at the morning skate for the Predators.

Stat pack

Nelson is one goal away from 100 for his NHL career. … Saros is 2-1-0 with a .870 save percentage and a 3.33 goals-against average against New York in his career.