Rookies Shine, Stamkos Hits 1,200 as Predators Roll Past Flames in Milestone-Filled Night
Sometimes, a regular-season game turns into something more. Tuesday night in Nashville was one of those nights.
The Predators’ 5-1 win over the Calgary Flames wasn’t just another tick in the win column - it was a statement, a celebration, and a showcase of what happens when youth, experience, and emotion collide on the ice.
Let’s start with the headliners: Reid Schaefer and Ozzy Wiesblatt. Two rookies, two first NHL goals - and two unforgettable moments.
Schaefer, the 6-foot-5 winger with a power forward’s frame and a nose for the net, got things started early. With his family in the building, he crashed the crease and buried a rebound to open the scoring and notch his first career goal. It was raw, it was gritty, and it was exactly the kind of goal that gets a bench on its feet.
“Pretty special, honestly,” Schaefer said. “Having family in the building too just makes it more special… Honestly, I kind of blacked out [after scoring]. It went in the net and I was like, ‘Oh, what do I do here?’”
That goal was just the beginning of a night Schaefer won’t forget anytime soon. He also dropped the gloves for his first NHL fight, completing a milestone double that speaks to the kind of edge he brings to the Predators lineup.
Then came the second period, and the floodgates opened.
Ryan O’Reilly sparked a transition rush, setting up Luke Evangelista, who wrapped around the net and found Steven Stamkos with a pinpoint pass. Stamkos did what Stamkos does - buried it.
That goal wasn’t just another tally for the veteran sniper. It was his 1,200th career point, making him just the sixth active player and 53rd in league history to hit that mark.
“It’s cool, it’s special,” Stamkos said. “You enjoy it more in a win… It’s more of a thing you kind of look back on when your career is over. But you certainly have a moment of appreciation and gratitude.”
That moment of appreciation was shared by everyone in the building. And while Stamkos’ milestone was a major headline, it wasn’t the only emotional highlight of the night.
Enter Ozzy Wiesblatt.
The 21-year-old winger has been knocking on the door all season, generating chances, playing with relentless energy, and waiting for his breakthrough. On Tuesday, it finally came - and it came with meaning.
Michael Bunting found Wiesblatt in front, and the rookie made no mistake. As the puck hit the back of the net, Wiesblatt pointed to the sky in tribute to his late brother, Orca. It was a powerful, deeply personal moment, and one that resonated far beyond the scoreboard.
“Just thinking, ‘It’s about time,’” Wiesblatt said. “I feel like I’ve been all over it lately… I’ve thought about pointing to the sky for my brother for a while now, and just a cool feeling. That one’s for him.”
You could feel the emotion on the bench. According to head coach Andrew Brunette, it was the loudest eruption from the team all season.
“Especially in both cases, with Ozzy, everything he’s gone through… I think the bench erupted,” Brunette said. “It was probably the biggest eruption we’ve had all year. So, happy for them.”
Stamkos echoed that sentiment, praising Wiesblatt’s resilience and the way he’s played through adversity.
“He just continues to go to the tough areas on the ice to utilize that speed and tenacity and the skill that he has,” Stamkos said. “It was great to see him finally get rewarded.”
Bunting, who set up Wiesblatt’s goal, added one of his own early in the third period to put the game out of reach. Calgary managed to spoil Juuse Saros’ shutout bid late in regulation, but the Predators netminder still turned aside 27 shots in a strong performance between the pipes.
This wasn’t just a win - it was a showcase of what Nashville is building. The veterans are producing, the rookies are stepping up, and the locker room is buzzing with the kind of energy that can carry a team through the grind of an NHL season.
And for a team that’s looking to blend experience with youth, Tuesday night was a blueprint. Schaefer and Wiesblatt didn’t just score - they announced their arrival. Stamkos didn’t just hit a milestone - he reminded everyone why he’s still one of the most respected leaders in the game.
Quick Hits from a Night to Remember:
- Reid Schaefer and Ozzy Wiesblatt both scored their first NHL goals, marking just the fifth time in franchise history that multiple players have done so in the same game.
- Steven Stamkos recorded his 1,200th NHL point with his 589th career goal. At the time of the milestone, he trailed only Brett Hull (656), Alex Ovechkin (653), Mike Gartner (636), and Dino Ciccarelli (608) on the all-time goals list.
- Stamkos also notched his 93rd career game-winning goal, tying Sergei Fedorov and Joe Nieuwendyk for 15th all-time.
- Juuse Saros made 27 saves, continuing his strong form in net.
- Nick Perbix, Michael McCarron, and Justin Barron were all out of the lineup with day-to-day injuries.
Next up, the Predators hit the road for a two-game swing through Florida, facing the Panthers on Thursday before heading to Raleigh to take on the Hurricanes Saturday night.
But no matter how the rest of this road trip goes, this one will stick in the memory bank. Tuesday night wasn’t just another win - it was a reminder of why we love this game. It gave us milestones, emotion, and a glimpse into the future of a team that’s starting to find its identity.