From start to finish, the Nashville Predators executed a clear gameplan of team defense and up tempo offense to get a 3-0 shutout over the Seattle Kraken on Thursday.
It’s win No.1 for the Nashville Predators in 2023-24, and it comes against a Kraken team that has high hopes for this season but now falls to 0-2-0.
The shutout is Juuse Saros‘ 21st of his NHL career, which puts him in a tie with Tomas Vokoun on the Nashville Predators all-time list. He’s got a ways to go, but up next is Pekka Rinne with 60.
Juuse Saros turned aside all 23 shots he faced and became just the second goaltender in @PredsNHL history to record a shutout in a home opener. The other: Chris Mason on Oct. 4, 2007 (vs. COL). #NHLFaceOff#NHLStats: https://t.co/EJLSQo9oNb pic.twitter.com/iO0cfIj8XQ
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) October 13, 2023
This marks the third win for the Predators against the Kraken in the all-time series and brings their head-to-head record to 3-4-0 with a 23-18 scoring edge to Seattle.
Nashville Predators Put in a 60-Minute Full Effort for the Win
Although the first period opened up with both teams testing the other’s goaltender, it came out to a scoreless draw at the 1st Intermission.
The Predators outshot the Kraken 15-12 in the first period, with the Kraken slightly having the edge in offensive chances. This is where Saros shined, not allowing the Kraken to get the early lead and seize momentum from the Bridgestone Arena crowd in the Predators’ home opener.
Saros needed to buy some time for the Predators to finally beat Philipp Grubauer, who equally as impressive as Saros as keeping this low scoring throughout.
The Predators did miss out on two power play opportunities in the first period, while killing off a Kraken power play as well.
The second period was when the scales dramatically shifted towards the Predators, and stayed that way the rest of the game. But again, the Predators couldn’t crack through. Even with a 5-on-3 power play to open the second period.
That is what you call domination from the 1st intermission on. Credit to Grubauer for keeping the score respectable.#Preds put together a gameplan and didn't give up on it.
— Chad Minton (@chad_minton) October 13, 2023
From @MoneyPuckdotcom pic.twitter.com/ucmUpN5P5s
finally broke the scoring open with a shorthanded goal midway through the second period, after an absolutely perfect primary assist from
.
It’s the fifth career shorthanded goal for Sissons, moving him into a tie on the Predators all-time list with Shea Weber, Jerred Smithson and Vitali Yachmenev for shorthanded goals.
Additionally, Sissons is now just one goal away from tying Ryan Ellis on the franchise goal list. He’s at 74 goals after really showing off that he’s still got some wheels. And some poetic justice beating out Eeli Tolvanen for the puck to get the shot off.
The Kraken had a very difficult time testing Saros much after this. The game turned heavily towards the Predators, and that’s when the team defense came in to really get this one across the finish line.
After 12 shots on goal in the first period, the Kraken managed just 11 more shots in periods two and three. When Saros faces only 23 shots, it’s usually going to be very difficult to beat him.
Three Stars of the Game
Even though he only faced 23 shots, you have to give Saros one of the stars of the game because he was huge in that first period. This game could’ve shaped up much differently had Saros come out flat and surrendered a couple easy goals and the Predators had to go into comeback mode early in the game.
Shutouts don’t come easy in the NHL anymore, but it’s a great bounce back game for Saros after playing pretty well at the Tampa Bay Lightning, but special teams and a penalty shot goal got to him.
A shoutout to Gustav Nyquist for getting his first career goal with the Predators. This was a fantastic team goal. Great passing, methodical and Nyquist with the crafty finish to get it deflected to beat Grubauer, who was locked in most of the night.
And finally, no other player to choose here than Sissons for you top star. Easy choice. We often forget that Sissons still has offense to contribute.
Along with the shorthanded goal, Sissons added three hits, two blocks and seven faceoff wins.
Other Game Notes
Filip Forsberg once again led the Predators in shots on goal with five, but was unable to tally his first goal of 2023-24 and first since his season was ended early in February from a concussion.
Luke Evangelista added four shots on goal and is still in search of his first point of 2023-24.
Juuso Parssinen tallied the empty net goal to put it away for the Predators. It’s his second goal of the season and eighth goal of his young NHL career. He got top line duties once again with Ryan O’Reilly and Forsberg.
Your healthy scratches for this game were Samuel Fagemo and Michael McCarron, who are both still looking to make their 2023-24 debuts. Luke Schenn missed the game due to a lower body injury, but it’s not expected to be anything long-term.