The Chicago Blackhawks and Nashville Predators returned from the Olympic break with plenty on the line and no shortage of drama, as Nashville rallied with a three-goal third period to secure a 4-2 win at Bridgestone Arena on February 26, 2026. Both teams, eager to shake off pre-break struggles, delivered a high-intensity Central Division showdown that may prove pivotal in the Western Conference playoff race.
Heading into their first game in nearly three weeks, the Blackhawks (22-27-9) were desperate for a reset after a dismal stretch—just one win in their last eight games and a power play that had produced a single goal in its previous 33 opportunities. The Predators (27-24-7), meanwhile, had managed to claw back into the playoff hunt with points in 10 of their last 13 games before the hiatus, yet still sat four points behind the Seattle Kraken for the final wild card spot.
The stakes were clear as the puck dropped at Bridgestone Arena, with both teams looking to set the tone for the season’s final push. The first period saw Nashville’s Filip Forsberg, fresh off Olympic duty with Sweden, pounce on a Chicago turnover for his 25th goal of the year. With 6:10 left in the opening frame, Forsberg intercepted a miscue by Blackhawks defenseman Artyom Levshunov and buried the puck past Spencer Knight. Forsberg’s recent form has been electric—he now boasts five goals and seven points in his last five outings, leading all Predators over that span.
Despite the early setback, the Blackhawks showed resilience. Connor Bedard, Chicago’s sensational young forward, continued his breakout season by tying the game in the second period. At 15:47, Bedard rifled a wrist shot past Nashville’s goaltender Justus Annunen, marking his 25th goal of the campaign—a new career high. The tally, assisted by Ryan Greene, showcased Bedard’s knack for big moments and underscored his evolution into a reliable scoring threat. According to the Associated Press, Bedard had previously scored 22 goals in 68 games during his rookie year and 24 in 82 games last season, making this milestone all the sweeter for the 20-year-old.
As the contest wore on, the teams traded chances, with both Knight and Annunen making timely stops. The Blackhawks’ netminder, Spencer Knight, turned away 22 shots in total, while Annunen was sharp, stopping 21 of 23. Notably, Nashville’s usual starter Juuse Saros was a game-time decision after returning from Olympic play, but Annunen got the nod and delivered when it mattered.
The third period brought fireworks. Chicago’s power play, long dormant, finally clicked at a critical juncture. After a delay-of-game penalty against Nashville, the Blackhawks capitalized: Tyler Bertuzzi, their team-leading scorer, snapped home a shot with just nine seconds left on the man advantage, giving Chicago a 2-1 edge at 3:16. Bertuzzi’s 26th goal of the season was assisted by San Rinzel and Teuvo Teravainen—the latter fresh off a bronze medal run with Finland at the Milano Cortina Olympics. Teravainen’s return to the lineup was a welcome sight for Chicago, and his impact was immediate.
But the Predators, true to their reputation for resilience, stormed back. With 1:16 left on their own power play, rookie Matthew Wood knotted the game at 2-2, firing his 10th of the season past Knight at 18:44. Erik Haula, also back from Olympic bronze with Finland, picked up the primary assist, while Luke Evangelista added another. It was Wood’s ability to seize the moment that drew praise from Predators Head Coach Andrew Brunette. “Some really big plays by big players late in the game there to us the win, and a huge goal by Woody on the power play,” Brunette told Nick Kieser. “To me, that was the biggest one in the game, just because the power play didn’t look great, and he was able to capitalize on the really good chance. It was one heck of a shot.”
The momentum had clearly shifted, and Nashville wasn’t done. With just 3:16 remaining, veteran center Ryan O’Reilly crashed the net and stuffed home the go-ahead goal, sending the home crowd into a frenzy. Roman Josi, another Olympian, collected an assist and logged a whopping 25:25 of ice time, anchoring the Predators’ blue line throughout the night. The trio of Josi, Haula, and Forsberg—each returning from international competition—made their presence felt, with all three recording points in the victory.
Chicago, suddenly trailing, pulled Knight for the extra attacker in a desperate bid to equalize. But Steven Stamkos, who also notched an unassisted goal earlier in the game, sealed the outcome with an empty-netter—his 29th of the season. The tally was historic, moving Stamkos to 19th all-time in NHL goals with 611, surpassing the legendary Bobby Hull. It was the exclamation point on a three-goal third period that left the Blackhawks reeling and the Predators surging toward the playoff bubble.
After the game, Brunette lauded his team’s determination and unity. “We’ve crawled ourselves into this fight, but we’re going to need that effort, along with everybody else chipping in a little bit,” he said, as reported by Nick Kieser. “This group has been really tight, it’s been fun to be around them, and they don’t give up. Another example again tonight, they believe in themselves, they know they can come back, we don’t want to be coming back all the time.”
The Predators’ win not only snapped a two-game losing streak but also propelled them within two points of a wild card spot in the Western Conference. With four games remaining before the 2026 NHL Trade Deadline, Nashville’s playoff ambitions remain alive—and, perhaps, General Manager Barry Trotz will be less inclined to make major roster changes if his top players continue producing. The Predators are set to visit the Dallas Stars next, while the Blackhawks will try to regroup on the road against the Colorado Avalanche.
For Chicago, the defeat extends a worrying trend, with only one win in their last nine games. The post-Olympic schedule doesn’t get any easier, and the Blackhawks will need their young stars like Bedard and Greene, as well as veterans like Bertuzzi and Teravainen, to find another gear if they hope to salvage their season.
As the playoff race tightens, Thursday’s thriller in Nashville offered a glimpse of both teams’ potential—and underscored just how thin the margin for error has become. The Predators, buoyed by their Olympians and a never-say-die attitude, look ready to make things interesting down the stretch. The Blackhawks, meanwhile, must regroup quickly if they want to keep their postseason hopes alive.