St. louis Blues @ Nashville Predators 10/17/25

The Nashville Predators looked to bounce back after a shootout loss to the San Jose Sharks. The Blues came out aggressive, attacking the Nashville defense early. At 6:21 of the first period, an own-zone turnover allowed Philip Broberg to give St. Louis a 1-0 lead. Cheers rang out from the crowd as, for the second consecutive game, a large contingent of opposing fans filled Bridgestone Arena.

Adam Jiricek was called for tripping after an inadvertent knee-on-knee collision, sending the Blues to the penalty kill. During the kill, Blues goaltender Jordan Binnington threw his stick in an attempt to stop a Predators rush, awarding Jonathan Marchessault a penalty shot. Marchessault tied the game at 1-1 by beating Binnington five-hole. St. Louis successfully killed the remainder of the penalty.

Nashville then picked up the intensity with sustained pressure. Filip Forsberg collected a rebound, wrapped around behind Binnington, and scored his first goal of the season to give the Predators a 2-1 lead. Forsberg had been knocking on the door and finally broke through. The Predators continued pressing with consistent offensive-zone puck movement that kept the Blues on their heels. Steven Stamkos blocked a shot and slowly headed to the bench, while Forsberg was whistled for a questionable tripping penalty with roughly 30 seconds remaining in the period. Brady Skjei had a short-handed attempt as the period ended. The Blues carried 1:30 of power-play time into the second period.

Nashville led 2-1 after the first period.

St. Louis opened the second period on the power play, but Nashville killed it off without allowing a shot on goal. Ross Colton made a clutch block and was slow to get up but remained in the game. Play went back and forth, including a point-blank shot snagged by Juuse Saros. A tripping penalty on Vitali Pinchuk gave the Blues another power-play opportunity.

Roman Josi led a rush and found Adam Edstrom with a beautiful pass; Edstrom finished to give the Predators a 3-1 lead on a shorthanded goal. With 22 seconds left on the power play, Jimmy Snuggerud responded with a goal of his own to cut the deficit to 3-2. Both teams generated additional chances that went unfinished. A trailing Nicolas Hague stopped a Blues shot attempt and crashed midsection-first into the post. Edstrom was involved again, sending a cross-ice pass to Nils Hoglander, who could not finish the play and slammed his stick in frustration.

Nick Perbix was called for holding with just over two minutes remaining in the second. Nashville generated another short-handed breakaway that Binnington stopped. The Predators were briefly caught on a change, but Saros snuffed out the Blues’ efforts.

Nashville led 3-2 after two periods.

Ryan O’Reilly opened the third period with a signature effort. Binnington made the initial save, but O’Reilly stayed with the play and put the puck in the net to make it 4-2. Alexander Kerfoot was called for interference, sending Nashville back to the penalty kill. Jack Drury led a penalty-kill rush that Binnington stopped, and a follow-up by O’Reilly was also denied. An outrageous save by Saros—blocking a fluttering puck with his pad—drew the Middle Tennessee crowd to its feet. Nashville maintained sustained offensive-zone pressure, and Drury found the back of the net for his first goal as a Predator, making it 5-2. Even with a three-goal lead, Nashville did not let up. Stamkos took a penalty to prevent an empty-net chance by the Blues. St. Louis received another power-play opportunity, but Nashville killed it off. The Blues did not pull their goaltender.

Final: Nashville Predators 5, St. Louis Blues 2

Nashville was aggressive and consistent for most of the contest. They came out relatively flat but did not let the slow start affect the rest of the game. Binnington faced constant pressure and, at times, was the primary reason the game stayed competitive.

Three stars of the game:

Adam Edstrom, Jonathan Marchessault, Filip Forsberg

The Predators now have five days off before their next contest, which is on the road against the Boston Bruins.