The Nashville Predators returned to the ice after the Olympics for a home game against the Chicago Blackhawks, coming away with the 4-2 win.
Filip Forsberg and Steven Stamkos scored unassisted, Roman Josi recorded 25:25 minutes of ice time, and Justus Annunen saved 21 of 23 shots faced.
"We've crawled ourselves into this fight, but we're going to need that effort, along with everybody else chipping in a little bit," said Predators Head Coach Andrew Brunette. "This group has been really tight, it's been fun to be around them, and they don't give up. Another example again tonight, they believe in themselves, they know they can come back, we don't want to be coming back all the time."Per Nick Kieser
Forward Forsberg handed Nashville [27-24-7] the first goal of the game late in the first period at 6:10. Chicago [22-27-9] defenseman Artyom Levshunov turned over the puck, putting it in the hands of Forsberg who promptly tucked his 25th of the season. Forsberg now has five goals and seven points in his last five games, the highest among his teammates.
The Blackhawks tied the game 15:47 into the second with a wrist shot from forward Connor Bedard. His 24 goals this season are the most he's scored in a season, breaking his previous high of 23.
A delay-of-game call against the Predators in the third period gave the Blackhawks its third power play of the night. Forward Tyler Bertuzzi scored with nine seconds left on the man-advantage to break the tie at 16:44.
Nashville got its one and only power play of the night two minutes later with Matthew Wood scoring his 10th of the season with four seconds remaining on it, tying the game at two. Center Erik Haula recorded an assist on the play in his first game back from winning bronze with Team Finland in the Olympics.
"Some really big plays by big players late in the game there to us the win, and a huge goal by Woody on the power play," Brunette said. "To me, that was the biggest one in the game, just because the power play didn't look great, and he was able to capitalize on the really good chance. It was one heck of a shot."Per Nick Kieser
Predators center Ryan O'Reilly made it 3-2 in favor of Nashville with 3:16 left in the game. Roman Josi's assists completed the trifecta, ensuring all three Olympian skaters registered a point.
Stamkos potted the empty netter to conclude a three-goal comeback, pushing the Predators within two points of a wild card spot in the Western Conference. He is now 19th all-time in goals with 611, passing Bobby Hull with 610.
After Thursday's win, Nashville has four games before the 2026 NHL Trade Deadline next Friday to test their capabilities. The future of the Predators' roster is unknown, but if the top guys keep competing, GM Barry Trotz might avoid selling the team.
The Predators will head on the road to play Central Division rival Dallas Stars Saturday at 7 p.m. CST.