The Detroit Red Wings’ opponent tonight, the Nashville Predators, won’t be feeling charitable when the teams meet at Little Caesars Arena (7 PM EDT on Bally Sports Detroit/Bally Sports South/97.1 FM) because Nashville lost its home opener, too, dropping a 4-3 decision to the Dallas Stars on Thursday night.
Field Level Media reports that the Predators felt that they didn’t play badly against Dallas, though Nashville surrendered 4 2nd-period goals:
“I thought we played pretty solid,” Nashville forward Steven Stamkos said. “When you look at shots, the chances, the overall game was there. That’s a very good team over there and you give them a couple quality grade-A chances like we did, it’s in the back of your net. Then, before you know it, you’re down three goals against a really good hockey team. So, probably not the recipe that you want, but we certainly didn’t quit.”
Nashville had 16 more shots on goal than the Stars, who scored on three consecutive shots early in the second.
“I thought we played well,” said forward Filip Forsberg, who had a goal and an assist. “There was a 10-minute period of the second when we gave up a few chances, a couple turnovers… Other than that, I thought we outplayed them for the most part. The goalie played well for them.”
Forsberg has a point in nine consecutive season openers. In 23 career games against the Red Wings, Forsberg has 10 goals and 11 assists.
Nashville began its season without top goalie Juuse Saros, who is recovering from a lower-body injury. Scott Wedgewood filled in for him.
“I think maybe some puck management in the second period, a couple mistakes we made (hurt us),” defenseman Roman Josi said. “Other than that, I thought overall we did a lot of good things. And a lot of things to build on and get back at it on Saturday.”
Nashville didn’t practice on Friday, so we won’t know what their lineup will look like until after today’s morning skate.
NashvillePredators.com’s Brooks Bratten posted a game preview of the Wings’ “Home, play some games against another opponent, and then play at the other team’s home” series with the Preds (as the Wings will visit Nashville next Saturday night):
Last Time Out:
Filip Forsberg, Tommy Novak and Ryan O’Reilly all found the back of the net for Nashville against Dallas, while Forsberg also added an assist on O’Reilly’s tally. Newcomer Jonathan Marchessault assisted on Forsberg’s marker, which came on a power play in the second period, and then on O’Reilly’s goal with the extra attacker late in the third.
Steven Stamkos recorded three shots on goal and 23:01 of ice time – second only to Josi – in his Predators debut. Wedgewood made 16 saves for Nashville in the loss.
Per NHL PR, Filip Forsberg became the first player with a point in nine consecutive season-opening games since Daniel Sedin and Henrik Sedin (both 9 GP from 2008-09 – 2016-17).
The Good Guys:
Josi and Luke Evangelista also added an assist each in Thursday’s loss; Forsberg and Marchessault are tied for the team lead with two points through one game.
The Opposition:
Alex DeBrincat led the Red Wings with two goals and an assist in their 6-3 loss to the Penguins to start the season. Vladimir Tarasenko also scored for Detroit, and Lucas Raymond added a pair of assists on Thursday. Goaltender Ville Husso started and took the loss for the Wings; Cam Talbot came on in relief.
And then there are these ugly stats:
The Predators are 10-3-1 in their last 14 games against the Red Wings including six wins in a row from Feb. 23, 2021 – Jan. 22, 2022, the franchise’s longest-ever win streak vs. the Red Wings.
Nashville is 5-2-1 in their last eight road contests against Detroit, outscoring the Red Wings 28-19 in those games.
On Feb. 28, 2009, the Predators defeated the Red Wings, 8-0, at Bridgestone Arena, tied for the largest margin of victory in a game in franchise history.
Skating uphill again, the Red Wings are.
