Predators 4, Islanders 3: Good effort, mistaken result

The New York Islanders lost their home opener to the Cup contending Nashville Predators, 4-3, but the bright side on this night is they put in a better, more cohesive effort than their season-opening win in Raleigh.

Basically, they played from a goal or two behind all night, but consistently carved their way back. Mathew Barzal (tying it at 1-1), The Handsome Valtteri Filppula (tying it at 2-2), and new captain Anders Lee (to pull them to 4-3) chipped in the goals. Viktor Arvidsson’s two goals led the Predators.

But the third period began with Nashville leading 4-3, and the visitors held on for the victory.

Thomas Greiss made just 19 saves on 23 shots — not his fault for the loss, but that…