The Nashville Predators have been one of the NHL’s steadiest teams since late November, quietly stacking wins and staying in the thick of the Western Conference playoff race. But after back-to-back losses, that momentum is suddenly on shaky ground-and a third straight defeat could send them into full reset mode.
That makes Thursday night’s matchup against the Ottawa Senators at Bridgestone Arena more than just a midseason game. It’s a gut check.
Both teams find themselves in similar spots on opposite sides of the league-hovering around the wild card bubble, trying to claw their way into the postseason picture. That shared urgency should make for a high-intensity tilt, with desperation fueling every shift.
The last time these two met was all the way back on October 13 in Ottawa. Nashville came away with the win, but the final score was a bit misleading.
It took a pair of empty-netters from Jonathan Marchessault and Cole Smith to pad the margin in what was otherwise a tight game throughout. Expect another closely contested battle this time around.
Senators Riding High After Statement Win
Ottawa comes into this one fresh off a 4-1 win over Columbus on Tuesday. The Senators leaned on their big guns, with Brady Tkachuk and Tim Stützle both finding the back of the net. That’s the kind of top-line production Ottawa needs if they’re going to stay competitive in the Eastern playoff race, and it’s a reminder that this team can do damage when its stars are rolling.
Predators Searching for Stability
For Nashville, the last few games have been a rollercoaster. They followed up arguably their best performance of the season-a regulation win on the road against a high-powered Colorado Avalanche team-with two straight losses.
The first, a tough back-to-back scenario in Vegas, was forgivable. But the start against Buffalo on Tuesday?
That was flat-out unacceptable.
The Sabres jumped all over Nashville early, forcing head coach Andrew Brunette to pull Juuse Saros after he allowed four goals on 19 shots. It wasn’t all on Saros, but when the game gets out of hand that quickly, changes have to be made. Justus Annunen came in and stopped all 13 shots he faced, giving the Preds a chance to mount a comeback that ultimately fell short.
Now the spotlight shifts back to Saros. His goals-against average has crept above 3.00, and while he’s proven time and again that he can be an elite goaltender, Nashville can’t afford a slump from their franchise netminder during this critical stretch of the season.
He’ll need a bounce-back effort Thursday, and the team in front of him must tighten up defensively-especially against a Senators squad that ranks near the top 10 in goals per game and boasts the league’s seventh-best power play. Discipline will be key.
Roman Josi Hits a Milestone
Thursday’s game also marks a major personal milestone for the Predators’ captain. Roman Josi is set to skate in his 1,000th NHL game, joining an exclusive club that includes current teammates Steven Stamkos and Ryan O’Reilly. It’s a testament to Josi’s durability, consistency, and elite two-way play over the years.
After an offseason filled with uncertainty due to a POTS syndrome diagnosis, Josi has quietly returned to form this season. He missed time earlier in the year, but he came into the Buffalo game riding a four-game point streak with 10 points over that span.
He was held off the scoresheet Tuesday, but he’s still producing at a solid clip with 28 points in 37 games. On a night when the Predators need leadership and poise, Josi’s presence will be front and center.
Time for Marchessault to Make His Mark
Jonathan Marchessault returned to the lineup two games ago after missing a month with injury, but so far, he hasn’t looked quite like himself. No points, just two shots on goal, and limited offensive impact. That’s not what Nashville needs from one of its most skilled forwards-especially one who’s been the subject of trade speculation as the Predators weigh their position ahead of the deadline.
If there’s ever a time for Marchessault to break out, it’s Thursday night. Ottawa owns the worst team save percentage in the NHL at .867, and with veteran James Reimer expected to get the start-just his third of the season-the matchup is ripe for Nashville’s scorers to find their rhythm.
Marchessault has the kind of offensive upside that can swing a game, and if he starts clicking, it could be a game-changer for a Predators team that’s still searching for consistency in its top six.
Final Thoughts
Puck drops at 7 PM CT at Bridgestone Arena, with this game wrapping up the season series between the Predators and Senators. Nashville holds the historical edge, with a 20-13-5 record and a .592 point percentage in the all-time matchup.
But history won’t mean much if the Predators can’t get back to the disciplined, structured hockey that fueled their surge in December. With playoff positioning on the line, a milestone night for their captain, and a chance to stop the bleeding before it becomes a full-blown slump, the stakes are high.
This is one of those games where we’ll learn a lot about who the Predators really are.