The Nashville Predators face a crucial week ahead as they navigate the Western Conference Wild Card race. Here's a breakdown of their schedule and key storylines:
Wild Card Chase & Playoff Push
The Predators (19-18-4, 42 points) currently sit fourth in the Central Division and tenth in the Western Conference. They are hovering around the .500 mark, battling to secure a Wild Card spot. After a shaky start to the season, the team has stabilized, posting a 6-4-0 record in their last ten games. A gutsy 4-3 victory over the Calgary Flames on Saturday, January 3, capped off their recent road trip. Nashville is in the midst of a playoff race with multiple teams. The Predators are within striking distance of a Wild Card spot, with their recent surge fueled by key performances and a more consistent offensive output.
Schedule: January 5 – 12
- Tuesday, Jan 6: @ Edmonton Oilers, 9:00 PM ET, Rogers Place. A tough road test to end a seven-game road trip.
- Thursday, Jan 8: vs New York Islanders, 7:00 PM CT, Bridgestone Arena.
- Saturday, Jan 10: vs Chicago Blackhawks, 7:00 PM CT, Bridgestone Arena.
- Sunday, Jan 11: vs Washington Capitals, 6:00 PM CT, Bridgestone Arena.
The Beecher-McCarron Incident
During Saturday's win against Calgary, an incident involving Flames forward John Beecher and Predators forward Michael McCarron became a major talking point. Beecher received a one-game suspension from the NHL Department of Player Safety for sucker-punching McCarron during a scrum. Predators defenseman Nicolas Hague responded by fighting Beecher, a moment that energized the team. Beecher received a roughing minor penalty and a 10-minute misconduct for the skirmish with McCarron.
Stamkos Reaches 600 Goal Milestone
Steven Stamkos continues to be a central figure for Nashville. He recently achieved his 600th career NHL goal in a New Year's Eve victory against the Vegas Golden Knights. Stamkos leads the team with 18 goals and has developed chemistry on a line with Erik Haula and Michael Bunting. Stamkos is only the third active player to reach 600 career goals, joining Alex Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby. After a slow start to the season, Stamkos has reignited his offensive game, contributing significantly to the Predators' turnaround.
Stamkos, who signed a 4-year, $32 million contract with the Predators in the summer of 2024 after 16 seasons with the Tampa Bay Lightning, had a tough first year in Nashville. However, the 35-year-old has returned to form this season, scoring nearly all of his goals from the slot.
Injury Updates
Jonathan Marchessault, a key forward, missed the January 3 game against Calgary due to a lower-body injury sustained earlier in the week. His status is a major concern, as his scoring depth is crucial for the team during this important stretch.
Olympic Recognition
Filip Forsberg (Sweden) and Erik Haula (Finland) have been named to their respective national teams for the 2026 Winter Olympics.
