Predators Set to Host Wild in Final Home Game Before Olympic Break
Bridgestone Arena will be buzzing tonight as the Nashville Predators take the ice for their final home game before the Olympic break, hosting a red-hot Minnesota Wild squad. It’s a 7 p.m.
CT puck drop in what marks the third of four meetings between these Central Division rivals this season. The Predators took the first round in dramatic fashion back in December, pulling out an overtime win, and tonight offers another chance to make a statement before a three-week hiatus.
And yes, it’s also Luke Bryan bobblehead night-so expect the building to be full of energy from the jump.
Momentum on the Move
The Preds are coming off one of their most emotional and improbable wins in recent memory. Down 5-1 early in the second period against St. Louis on Monday, Nashville stormed back with five unanswered goals to steal a 6-5 victory-just the second four-goal comeback in franchise history.
That win wasn’t just about the scoreboard. It was about resilience, belief, and a team that’s learning how to fight through adversity. Head Coach Andrew Brunette has been preaching that message all season, and Monday night, his team lived it.
“If we can win this week, I like where we're at,” Brunette said after the comeback. “I like the belief in our group. We've been battle tested and we've been resilient, and we know what hard is.”
With only two games remaining before the Olympic break, Nashville is focused on closing strong and carrying momentum into the stretch run.
A Day of Highs and Lows
Monday’s win came on the heels of some major front-office news: General Manager Barry Trotz announced his intention to retire. He’ll remain in his role until a successor is named, but the announcement added an emotional layer to an already wild day at Bridgestone.
The team did not practice on Tuesday, and defenseman Andreas Englund was reassigned to Milwaukee (AHL) that afternoon.
Offensive Fireworks
The Predators’ top players came up big on Monday, and they’ll need more of the same against a Minnesota team that’s won four straight. Steven Stamkos and Ryan O’Reilly each netted two goals, while Roman Josi dished out four assists in a vintage performance from the captain.
O’Reilly’s second goal of the night marked his 20th of the season, and he continues to pace the team with 53 points. Filip Forsberg leads the squad with 23 goals, and Stamkos isn’t far behind with 27. Meanwhile, Luke Evangelista continues to shine as a playmaker, adding three assists on Monday to push his total to 34 helpers and 41 points.
From the blue line, Josi remains a force with 10 goals and 37 points, while in net, Juuse Saros holds a 21-17-4 record. Backup Justus Annunen stepped in on Monday and stopped all 13 shots he faced in relief to earn the win-an effort that could be crucial if called upon again tonight.
Scouting the Wild
Minnesota rolls into Nashville on a four-game winning streak, including a 4-3 overtime win over Montreal on Monday. Kirill Kaprizov continues to be the engine of the Wild offense, leading the team with 32 goals and 69 points. Matt Boldy isn’t far behind, with 29 goals and 58 points of his own.
On the back end, Quinn Hughes has been a dynamic presence, tallying 50 assists and 55 points this season while splitting time between Vancouver and Minnesota.
Between the pipes, Filip Gustavsson holds a 19-9-6 record, while Jesper Wallstedt has also been solid at 14-5-4.
Familiar Faces on Both Benches
There’s no shortage of shared history between these two clubs. Preds Head Coach Andrew Brunette spent six seasons as a player with the Wild and held multiple front-office roles in Minnesota before joining Nashville. Assistant Coach Darby Hendrickson also played for the Wild and served on their coaching staff for over a decade.
On the flip side, Minnesota’s Head Coach John Hynes was behind the bench for the Predators from 2019 to 2023. Forwards Ryan Hartman, Vinnie Hinostroza, and Yakov Trenin all have past ties to Nashville as well.
The Matchup by the Numbers
The Predators have historically had the upper hand in this rivalry, holding a 48-29-(5)-12 all-time record against the Wild, including a dominant 29-10-(2)-5 mark at home. Nashville has gone 5-2-3 in the last 10 meetings and is 4-1-0 in the last five at Bridgestone.
More recently, the Preds have been one of the hottest teams in the West. Since Nov. 26, they’ve gone 20-11-2, tying Colorado for the second-most wins in that span-trailing only Minnesota, who’s posted 21.
Milestones on the Horizon
- Steven Stamkos climbed into elite company Monday night with career goals No. 608 and 609, passing Dino Ciccarelli for 20th on the NHL’s all-time goals list. He also became just the 11th player in league history to notch 100 career game-winning goals.
- Roman Josi recorded his fourth career four-assist game, tying him with Victor Hedman, Morgan Rielly, and Quinn Hughes for the most among active defensemen.
- Michael Bunting is one game away from 400 in his NHL career.
- Jonathan Marchessault is three assists shy of 300.
- Brady Skjei sits three points away from the 300 mark as well.
How to Watch & Listen
Coverage begins at 6:30 p.m. CT with *Predators LIVE!
- on FanDuel Sports Network South, featuring Lyndsay Rowley and Hal Gill. Willy Daunic, Chris Mason, and Kara Hammer will have the TV call.
On the radio side, Pete Weber and Jay More will handle play-by-play duties on 102.5 The Game and the Predators Radio Network, with Max Herz anchoring pregame, intermission, and postgame coverage starting an hour before puck drop.
Spanish-language coverage will also be available on El Jefe (96.7 FM, 105.3 FM, and 810 AM).
With the Olympic break looming, the Predators have a chance to close this stretch on a high note. Against a surging Wild team and with playoff positioning on the line, tonight’s showdown at Bridgestone has all the makings of a statement game.