New York Islanders vs San Jose Sharks Picks and Predictions January 18th 2025

Islanders, Sharks Desperate to Break Free from Prolonged Slumps

Two struggling teams face a pivotal moment in their seasons as they attempt to end losing streaks and reshape their futures.

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A Familiar Fork in the Road for the Islanders

The New York Islanders entered their seven-game homestand with optimism, riding the momentum of a perfect three-game road trip. However, back-to-back losses to start this crucial stretch underscore the steep challenges they face as they sit 15th in the Eastern Conference standings, just above the Buffalo Sabres. With their playoff hopes dwindling, the Islanders must act swiftly to salvage their season.

Recent history suggests they’re no strangers to midseason adversity. In both 2023 and 2024, the Islanders overcame rough January stretches to secure playoff berths. Key moments—like firing head coach Lane Lambert in January 2024 and acquiring Bo Horvat in a blockbuster trade in January 2023—galvanized their roster. Yet, this year’s slump feels different. The Islanders sit eight points out of a wild-card spot, trailing the Boston Bruins, and have won consecutive games just twice all season.

Time is running out. With the March 7 trade deadline approaching, the team faces tough decisions regarding top-six forwards Brock Nelson and Kyle Palmieri, both impending free agents and likely trade targets for contenders. Bo Horvat, a central figure in their offense, expressed his belief in the team’s resilience but acknowledged the urgency of turning their season around:

“We have to start winning hockey games if we want everybody to stay, right? It’s not going to be easy, but if there’s any group that’s going to do it, we’re pretty relentless in here.”

Sharks’ Rebuild Stumbles Despite Young Talent

While the Islanders wrestle with immediate playoff aspirations, the San Jose Sharks continue their long-term rebuild. Once a perennial playoff contender, the Sharks are now on pace to miss the postseason for the sixth consecutive year. Hopes were high after drafting center Macklin Celebrini first overall in 2024, but the team’s struggles have persisted.

Injuries have compounded the Sharks’ woes. Celebrini, the franchise’s centerpiece for the future, missed most of October with a hip injury and has struggled to find consistency since his return. San Jose opened the season with nine straight losses and has endured additional long losing streaks, including an eight-game skid in December.

Veteran defenseman Marc-Edouard Vlasic summed up the team’s frustrations:

“We just can’t seem to put a couple [wins] together. We had some [momentum] at the beginning of 2025 and then let up. In this league, you’re not guaranteed a win no matter who you’re playing, so we’ve got to find a way to put these together, start on time, execute passes—the things we need to do to win.”

Despite a brief glimmer of hope after consecutive wins against the Tampa Bay Lightning and New Jersey Devils in early January, the Sharks have since gone 1-4-0, further illustrating their inability to sustain momentum.

High Stakes and Uncertain Futures

For the Islanders, the pressure to perform is immediate. Failing to climb back into playoff contention could trigger a retooling phase that includes trading key players and recalibrating the roster for future seasons. Nelson and Palmieri would likely headline the list of trade assets, but such moves could also signal a departure from the team’s recent “win-now” philosophy.

The Sharks, by contrast, remain focused on their rebuild. However, with each passing season, questions about the team’s direction and the timeline for success grow louder. Celebrini’s development will be central to their progress, but the organization must find ways to support him with a stronger supporting cast and greater consistency on the ice.

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Similar Struggles, Different Outlooks

While the Islanders and Sharks are both in last place in their respective conferences, their paths diverge sharply. The Islanders, still within striking distance of a playoff spot, are clinging to the hope of a turnaround. The Sharks, meanwhile, are playing the long game, with an eye on the future.

As these teams face off, the stakes couldn’t be higher. For the Islanders, it’s an opportunity to revive their season and avoid a trade-deadline sell-off. For the Sharks, it’s another chance to evaluate their roster and gain valuable experience in a rebuilding year. Both teams are desperate for a win, and a victory could provide the spark they need to rewrite their stories in the weeks ahead.

Conclusion: Time to Act

For the Islanders and Sharks, the coming games will be defining. The Islanders must channel their recent history of resilience to keep their playoff dreams alive, while the Sharks must use these challenges as a stepping stone for their rebuild. As these two teams meet, the story of their seasons may hinge on what happens next.

Whether it’s a desperate push for the playoffs or the slow grind of a rebuild, one thing is clear: both the Islanders and Sharks are determined to chart a new course.