The Nashville Predators committed too many free throws in Tuesday’s 5-3 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning in Andrew Brunette’s coaching debut.
Tampa Bay scored four goals in the third quarter, two on the power play and one on a penalty kick. The final goal came in an empty net with 1.2 seconds left as the Predators tried to tie the game.
Ryan O’Reilly, Jusso Pashinen and Tommy Novak scored for the Predators, and Filip Forsberg had two assists. Jus Saros stopped 29 of 33 shots.
Nikita Kucherov and Nick Paul each scored two goals for the Lightning.
Here’s a recap of Game 1 of 82 for the Nashville Predators:
Nashville Predators vs. Tampa Bay Lightning live score updates
The third issue
Finals: Lightning 5, Predator 3
Nikita Kucherov capped the drive with an empty-net goal with 1.2 seconds left.
The Predators had plenty of offensive zone possession in the final two minutes of 6-on-5 but were unable to stifle the opportunity.
The penalties in the third quarter didn’t help, especially against the Chargers.
Next game: Thursday’s home opener against Seattle. Ice hockey drops at 7 p.m. at Bridgestone Arena.
Nick Paul’s second power-play goal puts Tampa Bay ahead
Yes, there are more goals. Jeremy Lauzon takes a penalty and the Chargers dominate on the power play. Nick Paul grabbed the rebound and beat Saros. He stood alone in front of Saros, where the Predators goalie could do nothing.
10:52 of the third quarter Tampa Bay 4, Nashville 3
All three of the Lightning’s third-period goals came on the power play or penalty kicks.
Tommy Novak’s power play tied the game at 3-3
Tommy Novak to Johnson’s right skated past Nick Paul and beat the Chargers goalie on the short side for a power-play goal.
The Predators’ power play was better throughout the game, and Novak earned the chance with a nice wrist shot.
Nashville 3, Tampa Bay 3
The third quarter is one. Surely more goals are coming?
Brandon Hagel scores from the penalty spot to put Tampa back in front
Forty-two seconds after the tying goal, Luke Schenn brought down Brandon Hagel, who scored in front of Saros. The referee awarded Hagel a penalty kick.
Hagel converted his first career penalty kick past Saros to give the Lightning the lead. Tampa Bay 3, Nashville 2
The Chargers responded, turning two Predators penalties into a third goal while trailing. The intensity of this game has emerged.
Nick Paul scores a power-play goal to tie the game in the scramble
Roman Josi was awarded a second penalty of the game, this time for interference. Tampa Bay went to work, with Nick Paul scrambling in front of the net to finish the game and Saros trying to stop the puck.
Two minutes after Pashinin’s goal, the game was tied. Tampa Bay 2, Nashville 2
Juuso Parssinen scored the go-ahead goal 14 seconds into the third quarter.
The Predators won the puck and got into the Chargers’ defensive zone late in the third period. Filip Forsberg found Juuso Parssinen behind the Lightning defense, and Parssinen buried the chance.
Nashville 2, Tampa Bay 1
Forsberg received his second major assist of the game.
second stage
Ryan O’Reilly equalized with a late shot
Filip Forsberg and Ryan O’Reilly went two-on-one for the Predators’ first goal of the season.
After the Predators won the puck defensively, Forsberg toe-draged Victor Hedman and found O’Reilly for the goal.
The Preds need those two to perform well this season, and they did just that in the second quarter of the opener.
Tampa Bay 1, Nashville 1
The new center of town:How music, parents and 50 siblings shaped new Nashville Predators center Ryan O’Reilly
Cody Glass leaves game after taking off helmet
Predators forward Cody Glass left the ice in the second period after taking the puck off his helmet.
Glass was on the ice for the Predators’ third power-play opportunity of the game. With 5:52 left in the second period, Tyson Barrie’s shot didn’t come clean and the puck hit Glass on the helmet.
Glass spent a few moments on the ice when a Predators staff member came to check on him. He stood up and got off the ice with some discomfort. Glass headed straight to the locker room area.
Update coming soon.
Nashville powerhouse performs better, but Lightning still leads 1-0
The Predators took three shots on goal on the second power play but couldn’t get past Jonas Johansson. The best chance was a shot from Roman Josi, which Johnson deflected away and seconds later there was a fierce scramble in front of the net.
Before Nashville PP, this game was like a preseason game. A goal for the Predators could change that.
first class
1-0 lightning lead after one game.
Tampa led 1-0 into the first intermission and was by far the better team.
The Chargers’ field goal margin was 13-2. Nashville had a power play early and had no shots on goal. There is nowhere to go but to greet tourists.
Tampa Bay would have 90 seconds to go on the power play early in the second quarter, with Roman Josi receiving a minor penalty for a slash.
Nikita Kucherov puts Lightning Network on the board
Lightning sniper Nikita Kucherov has been one of the best shooters in the league over the past few seasons, and he proved it with his first goal of the game.
Kucherov and the Lightning entered the Nashville zone, Steven Stamkos provided traffic in front of Jus Saros, and Kucherov knocked a one-timer into the net from the high post. As Ryan Callahan and Kevin Weeks mentioned on the broadcast, this was too much of a power play. The goal was scored at 9:48 of the first quarter.
Tampa Bay 1, Nashville 0
Predators pregame lines
Our Paul Skrbina at the rink in Tampa. He reports on his pregame lines below. Michael McCarron, Samuel Fagermo and Dante Fabbro were the Preds’ first-game absences.
Predators preseason, pregame coverage
Gentleman Estes:Andrew Brunette’s Nashville Predators are worth watching, but there’s a flaw
prohibit:NHL bans Pride tape, Nashville Predators’ Ryan McDonagh tries to make sense of it
Back to the playoffs:What the Nashville Predators need to get back to the playoffs in Barry Trotz-Andrew Brunette’s first season
What’s the channel for today’s Predators vs. Lightning?
Streaming options for the game include the app and FUBO, which offers a free trial to potential subscribers. Viewers can also watch games on +, ‘s subscription streaming service that offers more than 1,000 out-of-market games as well as exclusive streaming of games throughout the season through NHL Power Play.
Predators vs Lightning opening time
- date: Tuesday, October 10
- time: 4:30 PM (Central Time)
The Predators will open the NHL season against the Tampa Bay Lightning, with the game scheduled for Tuesday at 4:30 p.m. CT at Amalie Arena in Tampa.
Nashville Predators 2023-24 Schedule
All games on Bally Sports South (unless listed); all time central
October
10: Tampa Bay, 4:30 p.m., and +
12: vs. Seattle, 7 p.m.
14: Boston, 6 p.m.
17: vs. Edmonton, 7 p.m.
19: New York Rangers, 6 p.m.
21st: vs. San Jose, 7 p.m.
24: vs. Vancouver, 8:15 p.m.
28th: vs. Toronto, 6 p.m., Bally Sports South and NHL Network (national)
31: Vancouver, 9 p.m.
November
2: Seattle, 9 p.m.
4: Edmonton, 2 p.m., Bally Sports South and NHL Network (national)
7: Calgary, 8 p.m.
9: Winnipeg, 7 p.m.
11: vs. Arizona State, 7 p.m.
14: vs. Anaheim, 7 p.m., + and Hulu
18: vs. Chicago, 1 p.m.
20: vs. Colorado, 7 p.m.
22: vs. Calgary, 8 p.m.
24th: 2 p.m. in St. Louis
26th: vs. Winnipeg, 7 p.m.
28th: vs. Pittsburgh, 7 p.m.
30: Washington, 6 p.m.
December
2: vs. New York Rangers, 3:30 p.m.
3: Buffalo, 6 p.m.
5: Chicago, 7:30 p.m.
7: vs. Tampa Bay, 7 p.m.
9: Toronto, 6 p.m.
10: Montreal, 6 p.m.
12: vs. Philadelphia, 7 p.m.
15th: Carolina, 6 p.m., + and Hulu
16: vs. Washington, 7 p.m.
19: vs. Vancouver, 7 p.m.
21st: 6 p.m. in Philadelphia
23: vs. Dallas, 2 p.m.
27th: vs. Carolina, 7 p.m.
29th: 6 p.m. in Detroit
30: Washington, 6 p.m.
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