Five Standouts from Nashville Predators Preseason OT Loss to Lightning

1. Forsberg Returns to Game Action for First Time Since February

No one should be surprised or alarmed that Filip Forsberg had some rust in his preseason debut, and first live game action since February 11 when he suffered a head injury.

Forsberg had open space and even had seven shots on goal, good to lead the team. His accuracy and timing were a bit off, but the space and opportunities were there playing on a line with Ryan O’Reilly and Denis Gurianov as Nashville’s top line.

Interesting choice to put Gurianov, who was acquired in free agency this past summer, on the top line with O’Reilly and Forsberg. Either way, the line produced 12 shots on goal, with O’Reilly being held without a shot on goal.

Forsberg also tallied an assist on Nashville’s lone goal, coming from Thomas Novak who was third on the Predators in points in 2022-23 with 43.

As much criticism as Forsberg gets for being overpaid, this wasn’t a bad opening preseason game from him. It would’ve been much more concerning if Forsberg was held as a non-factor altogether, but instead he did work his way into the game and showed some speed in the transition style of Brunette’s new system.