The Nashville Predators return to their home ice at Bridgestone Arena tonight for a critical divisional clash against the St. Louis Blues, marking the final chapter in their four-game season series. With the Olympic break looming just three games away, every point becomes increasingly precious in the tightly contested Western Conference Wild Card race.
Nashville's homecoming follows a demanding three-game road swing that saw the team capture four out of a possible six points—a respectable haul that included a triumphant conclusion against the New York Islanders. After dropping their first two contests in overtime, the Predators demonstrated resilience by securing a 4-3 victory on Saturday night, a result that head coach Andrew Brunette characterized as "winning the week."
The victory over the Islanders carried special significance for captain Roman Josi, who etched his name further into the franchise record books by scoring his 200th career NHL goal. The milestone marker came with just 1:14 remaining in regulation, proving to be the decisive tally that propelled Nashville to victory. Josi's historic achievement adds another highlight to his distinguished career and provides momentum as the team enters this crucial homestand.
The Swiss defenseman emphasized the importance of building on this success before the league pauses for the Olympics. "Three big games—I think you want to put yourself in a really good position before the Olympic break," Josi remarked after Saturday's win. "We talked about winning the week, and you won this week, and there's another week coming with some good teams. There's going to be some big games, and we need some points."
Coach Brunette echoed his captain's sentiment, maintaining the same focused approach. "Same thing—win the week," Brunette stated regarding his team's mindset. "This one got a little dicey early in the game…but we ended up winning the week. That's big. Now, we've got to turn the page and move on. It's a really big week for us. Heading into the break, we want to put ourselves in a position here to really get to where we want to go."
Health concerns present some uncertainty for Nashville's lineup. Defenseman Nick Blankenburg missed Saturday's contest due to illness but participated in the team's limited morning skate on Monday, suggesting his potential return against the Blues. Meanwhile, Nic Hague, who has been sidelined with a lower-body injury and is considered week-to-week, also took to the ice during the morning session, indicating progress in his recovery. However, Coach Brunette acknowledged that there are "a couple of things in flux" regarding tonight's lineup, leaving some roster decisions unclear.
Andreas Englund rejoined the Predators' lineup on Saturday, skating alongside Justin Barron in Blankenburg's absence. The defensive pairings may see further adjustments depending on Blankenburg's availability.
Offensively, the Predators boast several potent weapons. Ryan O'Reilly continues to pace the club with 51 points (18 goals, 33 assists), establishing himself as the team's primary offensive catalyst. Filip Forsberg follows closely with 43 points (22 goals, 21 assists), including his two-goal performance against the Islanders that showcased his scoring prowess. Steven Stamkos has contributed 25 goals and 39 points, while Luke Evangelista has amassed 31 assists and 38 points. Josi's recent milestone goal gives him 10 goals and 33 points on the season.
In goal, Juuse Saros remains the workhorse, improving to 21-17-4 with Saturday's victory. Justus Annunen has served as the backup, posting a 4-6-2 record.
The St. Louis Blues enter tonight's contest facing significant challenges, having dropped six of their last seven outings. Their most recent defeat came Saturday in a 5-3 loss to Columbus, extending their struggles. Robert Thomas leads the Blues' offensive attack with 33 points (11 goals, 22 assists), while Pavel Buchnevich has contributed 30 points (9 goals, 21 assists). In net, Jordan Binnington carries an 8-16-6 record, while Joel Hofer has posted a 12-10-3 mark.
Historically, Nashville holds the advantage in this rivalry. The Predators are 66-53-(4)-13 all-time against the Blues, including a dominant 36-21-(3)-7 record on home ice. However, recent matchups have been more competitive, with Nashville posting a 5-5-0 record in the last ten meetings and a 2-3-0 mark in the last five games at Bridgestone Arena. This season, the Predators have won two of the three previous encounters, both victories coming in December.
Tonight's game represents more than just another regular-season matchup. With the Olympic break approaching, teams across the league are jockeying for position, knowing that the standings could look dramatically different when play resumes. For Nashville, securing points against a division rival carries additional weight in tiebreaker scenarios. The Predators currently find themselves in the thick of the Western Conference Wild Card race, where every point can be the difference between extending their season or watching the playoffs from home.
The Blues, despite their recent struggles, remain a dangerous opponent. Divisional games often defy current form, and St. Louis has the talent to challenge any team when executing their game plan. The Predators cannot afford to overlook their opponent, especially with the stakes so high.
The atmosphere at Bridgestone Arena is expected to be electric, as fans return to see their team in a pivotal late-season contest. The Predators have built a reputation for strong home performances, and tonight's game provides an opportunity to reinforce that advantage.
As the clock ticks down to the 7 p.m. CT puck drop, both teams understand the implications. For Nashville, it's about continuing the momentum from their road trip conclusion and building a comfortable cushion before the break. For St. Louis, it's a chance to play spoiler and salvage pride in a difficult season.
The Predators' leadership group has made their objectives clear: treat these final pre-Olympic games with playoff intensity. The "win the week" mentality has served them well, and applying that same focus tonight could pay dividends when the postseason picture becomes clearer.
With roster decisions pending and both teams hungry for points, tonight's season series finale promises to deliver the intensity and drama that defines NHL divisional rivalries. The Predators have the opportunity to sweep the season series and head into the Olympic break on a high note, but they'll need to execute their game plan flawlessly against a motivated Blues squad.