The Nashville Predators are making a game-day adjustment this weekend - and it’s not on the ice. Due to a winter storm bearing down on the region, the puck drop for Saturday’s matchup against the Utah Mammoth at Bridgestone Arena has been moved up two hours, now scheduled for 12:30 p.m. CST.
The shift comes in response to a Winter Storm Warning in effect for the Nashville area through Sunday evening. The National Weather Service is forecasting a mix of freezing rain and sleet to roll in Saturday afternoon and persist into Sunday night - not exactly ideal travel conditions for fans or teams. By moving the game up, the Predators are giving everyone a safer window to get in and out before the worst of the weather hits.
But beyond the forecast, Saturday’s game carries some serious weight - both emotionally and in the standings.
The organization will officially celebrate captain Roman Josi’s 1,000th career NHL game, a milestone he reached in Thursday’s 5-3 win over the Ottawa Senators. Josi’s longevity and consistency have been the backbone of this franchise for over a decade. From Norris Trophy-caliber seasons to leading the Preds through playoff pushes, he’s been the face of the team - and Saturday offers a chance for the home crowd to give him the ovation he’s earned.
On the ice, Nashville faces a red-hot Utah Mammoth squad that’s surging at just the right time. The Mammoth are riding a four-game win streak and have taken seven of their last eight, including a 5-4 overtime win over the Flyers on Wednesday. They currently sit fourth in the Central Division with 56 points and hold the top Wild Card spot in the Western Conference.
The Predators, meanwhile, are right in the thick of the playoff hunt themselves. At 24-22-4 with 52 points, they’re just one point shy of the final Wild Card position. Every game matters from here on out, and Saturday’s clash with Utah is a chance to gain ground against a direct competitor.
This will be the third meeting between the two teams this season. Utah edged Nashville in overtime, 3-2, back on October 11 at Bridgestone, but the Preds got some payback with a 4-3 win in Salt Lake City on December 29. Both games were tight, physical contests - and with playoff implications now looming larger, expect more of the same.
So while the start time may be earlier than expected, the stakes haven’t changed. Between honoring a franchise legend and battling for postseason positioning, Saturday’s matinee has all the makings of a big one in Music City.