Predators Faced with Challenge as Canucks Visit Nashville

Nashville, TN — The Nashville Predators will host the Vancouver Canucks tonight for a 7 p.m. CT puck drop at Bridgestone Arena. This match is part of a five-game homestand for the Predators, who are looking to secure their first win after a disappointing 5-2 loss against the Anaheim Ducks on Tuesday.

Following their recent road trip, the Predators returned home but struggled against Anaheim. Predators Head Coach Andrew Brunette expressed concern about the team’s performance after the game, stating, “It was not a good game for us. Your fears as a coach after a long road trip, these are a little bit of tough games to get going. We just didn’t execute what we were supposed to do tonight, and we paid the price. So, all you can do is bury it and get up and go back to work.”

In roster news, the Predators assigned forward Brady Martin back to the Soo Greyhounds in the OHL. Martin, who was picked fifth overall in the 2025 NHL Draft, had played three games for Nashville. Both Jonathan Marchessault (day-to-day) and Nic Hague (IR) practiced yesterday, bringing some hope for the lineup.

Brunette has confirmed that Matthew Wood, recently recalled from the AHL, will make his debut against Vancouver tonight. Despite these changes, the Predators will be without Marchessault as he continues to recover from a lower-body injury.

In their last outing against the Ducks, Tyson Jost and Filip Forsberg were among the scorers for Nashville. Team captain Roman Josi leads the Predators with five points this season. Juuse Saros was in goal for the loss, bringing his record to 2-2-2.

The Canucks, who are coming off a 5-1 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins, also seek to regain their momentum. Despite a good start to the season, they fell short in their previous encounter. Conor Garland leads Vancouver with seven points, while former Predators player Kiefer Sherwood has scored four goals this season.

As both teams prepare for their first of three matchups this season, the Predators look to improve their historical record against the Canucks, currently at 37-43-2-7 overall. The Predators also face a tough challenge at home, with a 2-3-0 record in their last five games against Vancouver at Bridgestone Arena.

Tonight’s game is expected to be an exciting showdown, with coverage beginning at 6:30 p.m. CT. It will be broadcast on ESPN+ and across local radio, including 102.5 The Game.