The Nashville Predators (27-36-8, 62 points) host the St. Louis Blues (38-28-7, 83 points) for the fourth and final matchup between the Central Division rivals this season Thursday at Bridgestone Arena.
The Blues lead the season series, 3-0, with each of their last two wins over Nashville coming within the last 10 days. The Blues currently hold a 3-point lead over the Vancouver Canucks for the second Wild Card spot in the Western Conference, while loss to St. Louis in any fashion on Thursday will officially eliminate the Predators from playoff contention.
Juuse Saros will get the start in net for the Predators, while Joel Hofer will tend the twine for the Blues.
How the Predators Lined Up vs. St. Louis
Forsberg-O'Reilly-Evangelista
Bunting-Stamkos-Marchessault
Smith-Svechkov-Bellows
L'Heureux-McCarron-Sissons
Skjei-Blankenburg
Del Gaizo-Barron
Englund-Stastney
Saros
Annunen
Extra: Vrana, Oesterle
IR: Lauzon, Josi, Wilsby
Predators vs. Blues: Live Updates
First Period (NSH 2, STL 0)
Fedor Svechkov got the scoring started for Nashville with a pinpoint wrist shot from the slot that went bar down at the 2:48 mark of the first period. Michael Bunting made the play behind the net and fed to Svechkov for the score to give Nashville a 1-0 lead. Andreas Englund also recorded a secondary assist on the play for his first point as a member of the Predators.
The shelf is HIGH!
— Nashville Predators (@PredsNHL) March 28, 2025
Svech puts in the lead 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/POCsmG8yuu
The Predators doubled their lead on the power play just over halfway through the frame with a shot from the high slot by Brady Skjei. A Ryan Suter slashing penalty gave Nashville the man advantage, and Skjei received a drop pass from Luke Evangelista to score with just 14 seconds remaining on the penalty to make it 2-0 at the 10:16 mark
*I Like It, I Love It slowly intensifies* pic.twitter.com/ufMLFvUZN5
— Nashville Predators (@PredsNHL) March 28, 2025
Evangelista's primary assist on the play gives him six points in his last six games. He has three goals and three assists in that span.
Second Period (NSH 2, STL 0)
Tempers flared when Englund laid a heavy hit on Jake Neighbours in front of the Predators' bench and Tyler Tucker came to his teammate's defense. Englund and Tucker were each assessed five-minute fighting majors at 5:29 of the second period.
The Blues began to pick up some momentum midway through the frame, ultimately capitalizing on a lengthy stretch in the offensive zone with their first goal of the game. Dylan Holloway ripped a shot past Saros at the 10:35 mark of the second period to cut the Predators' lead to 2-1.