Nashville Predators Aim for Back-to-Back Wins
Can the Nashville Predators rattle off back-to-back wins for just the third time this season? That is the tall order they face as they travel to Sunrise to take on the Florida Panthers on Thursday at 6 p.m. CST. The Predators have shown promising signs of a turnaround, winning three of their last four games, including a decisive 5-1 victory over the Calgary Flames at home on Tuesday. However, Nashville has not defeated Florida since the 2023-24 season, and breaking this losing streak will be crucial for their momentum.
Key Details for Tonight’s Match
Who: Nashville Predators (9-13-4, 8th Central) at Florida Panthers (12-12-1, 8th Atlantic)
When: 6 p.m. CST
Where: Amerant Bank Arena, Sunrise, Florida
TV: FanDuel Sports Network South
Radio: 102.5 The Game
Line (via BetMGM): Predators (+1.5) Panthers (-1.5). Over/under 6 (-115/-105)
Rookie Milestones and Emotional Moments
A pair of Predators rookies has achieved significant milestones in recent games. Reid Schaefer, in just his third NHL game, scored his first career goal and recorded his first career fight. Ozzy Weisblatt, after 23 games played, also scored his first career goal and recorded the second fight of his career. In a touching moment, Weisblatt pointed to the sky after his goal, paying homage to his late brother, Orca. This emotional gesture highlights the personal significance of these achievements for the young players. Matthew Wood has also been a standout rookie, netting his first NHL goal against the Flyers on Oct. 30 and contributing 11 points (seven goals, four assists) this season.
Steven Stamkos Finds His Stride
After a slow start to the season, Steven Stamkos is slowly beginning to find his mojo. He has recorded five points in the last four games, including multi-point performances in wins over the Detroit Red Wings and Chicago Blackhawks. Stamkos’ goal against the Flames was particularly significant, marking the 1200th point of his career. This achievement averages out to about a point per game over his 1190 games and 18 seasons in the league. Seeing Stamkos regain his form is a huge boost for the Predators, as it could be the catalyst they need to spark their offense and climb in the standings.
A Troubled Recent History with the Panthers
The Predators have not beaten the Panthers in 623 days, with their last victory being a 3-0 win that extended Nashville’s point streak to 16 games. Their most recent meeting, an 8-3 loss on Nov. 24, was the Predators’ worst of the season. The game saw a high-scoring first period, with six combined goals, but the Predators lost control, allowing Florida to take a 5-2 lead into the third period. Despite a brief rally, the Panthers scored three unanswered goals, pushing the game out of reach. Six Panthers players had two goals or more, highlighting the offensive firepower Nashville will face.
A Struggling Sunshine State Squad
Despite being the defending Stanley Cup champions, the Florida Panthers have not had an easy time this season. They have lost three straight games and currently sit in last place in the Atlantic Division. However, the competition in the division is tight, with only nine points separating first from last place. Florida is just six points out of a Wild Card spot, making this game crucial for their playoff hopes. Meanwhile, Nashville is 22 points behind the Central Division leader, Colorado, and is seven points outside of a Wild Card spot, adding urgency to their need for a win.
Injuries and Lineups
Both teams are dealing with significant injuries as they prepare for Thursday’s matchup. For the Predators, Cole Smith (upper body) and Zach L’Heureux (lower body) are on injured reserve, while Nick Perbix (upper body), Justin Barron (lower body), and Michael McCarron (lower body) are listed as day-to-day. The Florida Panthers are even more shorthanded, with key players like Matthew Tkachuk (groin), Aleksander Barkov (knee), Dmitry Kulikov (upper body), Jonah Gadjovich (upper body), Eetu Luostarinen (lower body), Tomas Nosek (knee), and Cole Schwindt (arm) all on injured reserve or listed as week-to-week. Despite these challenges, both teams will be looking to secure a crucial victory.
