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Predators and Utah Meet After Offensive Explosions
The Nashville Predators and Utah Hockey Club will square off Thursday night in Salt Lake City, with both teams looking to build on huge offensive outbursts earlier this week.
Utah delivered its most dominant performance of the season on Tuesday, routing the Seattle Kraken 7-1. It was the franchise’s highest-scoring game in its inaugural campaign, with seven different goal scorers and 12 players recording points. Mikhail Sergachev and Dylan Guenther led the way with three points apiece.
“You see where in every game, our offense can come from everywhere,” Utah coach Andre Tourigny said. “The power play was really good, but as well, we had scoring from other lines. So that made a difference.”
Utah’s power play has caught fire, going 6-for-12 over its last three games after a lengthy drought. The team is still mathematically alive in the Western Conference wild-card race but will be eliminated if Minnesota defeats San Jose on Thursday.
With several young players finding their rhythm late in the season, Utah hopes this offensive breakthrough is a sign of what’s to come next year. The final stretch offers valuable NHL ice time for key prospects and role players trying to make a lasting impression.
Predators Pull Off Stunning Comeback Against Islanders
Nashville’s Tuesday win was every bit as dramatic as Utah’s was dominant. The Predators overcame four separate deficits to stun the New York Islanders 7-6 in overtime. Steven Stamkos and Michael Bunting scored late power-play goals to tie the game before Fedor Svechkov ended it in OT.
“Kind of just a crazy night, one of those throwback games with a lot of goals,” said Stamkos, who finished with two goals and two assists. “We got some tonight, so it was great to see.”
The Predators had lost six straight prior to the victory. Another loss would have matched the longest losing streak in franchise history.
That comeback could serve as a much-needed morale boost for a Nashville team that has struggled to find consistency all season. While the playoffs are out of reach, building confidence and ending on a high note remain key objectives.
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Key Players and Goalie Notes
Filip Forsberg continues to lead Nashville in goals (30) and assists (42), while Clayton Keller remains Utah’s top performer with 27 goals and 57 assists. Keller is just two points shy of matching his career-high 86 points.
Utah goaltender Karel Vejmelka has started 21 straight games with a solid 2.41 GAA and .903 save percentage. If he gets a night off, Matt Villalta would make his second career NHL start.
Juuse Saros is expected to be in goal for Nashville after Justus Annunen played Tuesday. Saros previously shut out Utah 4-0 on Nov. 9.
Both goaltenders are known for their high workloads and should play a major role in what could be a tighter rematch despite both teams’ recent scoring surges.
Final Stretch Implications
Thursday’s matchup is the second of three meetings between the teams this season, with the final one set for Monday in Nashville. While both teams are out of playoff position, pride, development, and franchise records are still on the line in this late-season Western Conference showdown.
This game may not influence the postseason, but it carries weight in player evaluation, offseason planning, and momentum building—especially for two organizations working to establish a stronger identity heading into 2025.
