In a thrilling showdown in Nashville, Filip Forsberg took center stage, notching a goal and two assists to propel the Nashville Predators to a 3-1 win over the Seattle Kraken. This victory was crucial for both teams, each battling fiercely for a Western Conference wild card spot.
The Predators, riding a two-game winning streak, saw contributions from Ryan Ufko and Ryan O’Reilly, who both found the back of the net. Meanwhile, Justus Annunen stepped up in a big way, making 25 saves in an unexpected start due to Juuse Saros being sidelined with an upper-body injury. Annunen's performance was rock-solid, maintaining his perfect record against Seattle at 3-0-0.
The night started with Ufko firing a one-timer from the left side, courtesy of a slick pass from Brady Skjei, marking Skjei’s 300th career point. However, the Kraken’s Frederick Gaudreau, once a Predator himself, answered back late in the first period, leveling the score.
The second period saw O’Reilly break the tie with a power-play goal, showcasing his grit as he battled through defenders to capitalize on a rebound from Steven Stamkos' shot. Forsberg then sealed the deal with an empty-netter in the final minutes, ensuring Nashville pulled even with Seattle at 71 points, both teams just on the cusp of playoff contention.
Adding to the drama, Nashville had to call up Matt Murray from the AHL’s Milwaukee Admirals due to Saros’ late scratch. Murray made it to the bench just in time for the third period, adding a layer of intrigue to the night, especially with the Kraken’s own Matt Murray not dressing for the game.
Looking ahead, the Kraken aim to bounce back as they visit the Columbus Blue Jackets on Saturday, while the Predators prepare to host the Vegas Golden Knights, hoping to keep their momentum rolling.