Predators Gameday: Back at home against Seattle, look to finish execution tonight

BOSTON--Nashville welcomes Seattle to Bridgestone Arena this evening in game three on the Predators regular season schedule. Both teams are aiming to produce more offense in tonight's game following being shut out in their most recent matchups.

Thus far, Nashville has yet to win a game, falling all three matchups. Seattle scored five in the season opener before being shut out by the Stars on Sunday.

The Predators look to avoid a 0-3 start to the season and climb their way back into a winning record, what's expected of them.

Tonight is Hispanic Music Heritage Night for the Predators. Fans can expect a unique entertainment showcase in and outside the arena. Puck drop is at 7:00 PM CDT.

Nashville's Projected Lineup:

Forsberg-O'Reilly-Nyquist

Novak-Stamkos-Marchessault

Evangelista-Sissons-Tomasino

Jankowski-Mccarron-Smith

Josi-Fabbro

Skjei-Schenn

Lauzon-Carrier

**Saros

Wedgewood

**=Unconfirmed

Nashville hasn't had the strong start to begin the season that many thought they'd have. In two games, scoring just three, all in one game. Head Coach Andrew Brunett made an effort yesterday in practice to gain momentum on offense.

He shifted 4th liner Cole Smith, known for his 6'3 frame that can push the puck up ice when needed, to slot into the wing and put Stamkos back on center.

There wasn't much indication if he'll keep the changes long-term or even into tonight's game.

He spoke after practice yesterday on the decision:

"We thought we'd go Stamkos in the middle, see how that works. It may help him to get the puck a little bit more than what we've had."

Seattle's Projected Lineup:

Schwartz-Stephenson-Burakovsky

Mccann-Wright-Eberle

Tolvanen-Beniers-Bjorkstrand

Kartye-Gourde-Tanev

Evans-Larsson

Oleksiak-Montour

Mahura-Borgen

**Daccord

Grubauer

**=Unconfirmed

Jordan Eberle has had a fierce start to the regular season. Eberle has two goals and one assist in the first three games for Seattle. Yet his linemate Shane Wright, 20, has struggled in his first handful of games thus far.

Defenseman Vince Dunn is considered day-to-day and expected not to play tonight for Seattle after suffering an upper-body injury on a hit against Minnesota. Ryker Evans slotted in for Dunn on the top defensive pairing, with Josh Mahura entering the lineup to work on the bottom pairing.

Former Predator Eeli Tolvenen returns to Bridgestone Arena tonight on the opposing end. While it's not his first time returning to Nashville, the forward keeps Nashville close to his heart. He spent parts of his beginning five NHL seasons with Nashville.

Who to watch for Nashville:

Veteran forward Gustav Nyquist could be seen both Thursday and Saturday bending his knees and leaning back in a frustrating "how did that not go in" matter countless times. He's in the right spot, getting chances, and even coming a matter of inches from a goal, yet he hasn't come close enough to see the goal horn light up.

He's bound to find the back of the net. Aditionally, he hasn't lost a faceoff yet, controlling the puck a plethora of times he's on the ice.

Filip Forsberg has been a step ahead of almost every other Predators player so far. He registered a goal and assist in the season debut and came close to chances on Saturday, yet not close enough to find the back of the net.

Who to watch for Seattle:

Seattle forward Jordan Eberle has had a rather impressive start to the 2024-2025 contest. Just six days ago, he was named the next captain of the Seattle Kraken.

“I was pretty honored, to be a captain in this league is pretty special.”

Just days following, he notched his 300th NHL goal against Minnesota's Marc-Andre Fleury. He found the loose puck amongst the traffic down low and scored, leading the Kraken to victory.

Another player to watch for Seattle is the offensive-minded defenseman Vince Dunn. While he doesn't play a rather similar game to the Predators Roman Josi, he's not afraid to step up into the offensive zone and facilitate offense when needed, much like Josi.

He registered a goal and assist for two points in as many games.

Starting Goaltenders:

Goaltender Juuse Saros is expected to start in goal tonight for Nashville. After suffering an injury in the latter end of preseason, Saros is back to 100% and started his first game back on Saturday.

In his season debut against Detroit, Saros stopped 19 of 21 for a .905 SV% and 2.09 GAA. The back half, defense, and goaltending haven't been an issue through two for the Predators.

On the other end, it's unconfirmed who will be in goal for Seattle. Philip Grubauer has started two and put up a .896 SV% and 2.59 GAA.

Joey Daccord, who recently inked a five-year deal with Seattle, was in goal for the Kraken's lone win against Minnesota. He stopped 34 of 38 for a .895 SV%.

Storylines for Nashville:

Perhaps the biggest storyline for tonight is how Head Coach Andrew Brunette rolls the lineup. If he starts the game with Cole Smith up to the second line, what are the chances he keeps it past the first period? If it works, could it be a long-term adjustment for Brunette? Though it's not likely someone like Smith stays up at the second lie.

Steven Stamkos could end up playing at center tonight. How he performs can be a testament to whether the lack of production could be that Stamkos isn't playing at center. Otherwise, it's just taking time for the veteran to adjust to Nashville's playing style.

How Nashville begins tonight's game could determine the outcome. If they can start the game ahead with an early goal in the first 20, they won't find themselves climbing back in the game, as they've done so far, and a repeated issue last season.

Success at the dot:

While it's been a disappointing pair of games for the Predators, one positive of the season so far, they lead the leauge at the faceoff dot. Their FOW%, or Faceoff Win Percentage (59.7%), ranks 1.2% higher than the next team, the Edmonton Oilers.

Gustav Nyquist has been a large factor in the success; he's yet to lose a draw. Aditionally, Jonathan Marchessault as well has yet to lose a faceoff. The last notable factors in the faceoff percentage are Mark Jankowski and Ryan O'Reilly.

This has certainly been a factor in the Predators possession time and shots on goal, yet still no execution for the team. If they can keep up the faceoff success, along with possession and shots on goal, once Nashville begins executing, they'll see themselves winning more games.

Game Prediction:

Both teams have been shut out in their most recent game. Expect plenty of offense from both sides, especially early on. Nashville, back at home, will have the motivation to give the home crowd a showing.

My prediction: Nashville wins 4-3 for their first win of the campaign tonight against Seattle. Stamkos to earn a goal.

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