The Nashville Predators faced off against the St. Louis Blues on Thursday, March 27, 2025, at Bridgestone Arena, where they ultimately fell short in a 3-2 defeat. This game marked the fourth and final matchup between these Central Division rivals this season, and it was a rollercoaster of emotions for the Predators, who squandered an early two-goal lead.
Nashville started strong, with Fedor Svechkov kicking off the scoring just 2:48 into the first period. Svechkov showcased his skills with a pinpoint wrist shot from the slot, courtesy of a setup from Michael Bunting, who played behind the net. This goal not only gave the Predators an early advantage but also marked Svechkov's impactful presence on the ice. Andreas Englund also received a secondary assist on the play, marking his first point as a member of the Predators.
Things got even better for Nashville when Brady Skjei scored a power play goal at the 10:16 mark of the first period. Skjei took a drop pass from Luke Evangelista and fired a shot from the high slot, capitalizing on a slashing penalty against Ryan Suter. The Predators led 2-0, and the crowd at Bridgestone Arena was buzzing with excitement.
However, the momentum shifted in the second period. Tempers flared as Englund delivered a heavy hit on Jake Neighbours, prompting Tyler Tucker to come to his teammate's defense. Both players were assessed five-minute fighting majors at 5:29 of the second period, which set the stage for a more physical game.
Midway through the second period, the Blues began to find their rhythm. Dylan Holloway scored at the 10:35 mark, ripping a shot past Juuse Saros to cut Nashville's lead to 2-1. This goal breathed new life into the Blues, who were determined to rally back.
The third period saw the intensity ramp up even further. Cam Fowler tied the game for St. Louis at the 11:57 mark with a well-placed shot that beat Saros. Just 22 seconds later, Holloway struck again, capitalizing on a turnover by Bunting to give the Blues a 3-2 lead. The Predators were left reeling from this sudden turnaround.
As the game wound down, Jonathan Marchessault appeared to have tied the game for Nashville, but an official review determined that the puck crossed the goal line after time had expired, sealing the Predators' fate. With this loss, Nashville was officially eliminated from playoff contention, marking a disappointing end to their season.
On the other hand, the Blues extended their winning streak to eight games and now hold a five-point lead over the Vancouver Canucks for the second Wild Card spot in the Western Conference. Joel Hofer made 16 saves in the win, while Saros stopped 18 shots in the loss.
This game was not just about the hockey; it also had a touch of local celebrity flair. Nashville-native singer and rap artist Jelly Roll made a special appearance at the game, much to the delight of the fans. With 1:39 left in the first period, the public address announcer informed the crowd of Jelly Roll's presence, and he responded with a heartfelt hand signal, acknowledging the fans from his suite.
As part of the festivities, the first 10,000 fans in attendance received a Jelly Roll bobblehead, part of Nashville's Music City Hockey bobblehead series. The 40-year-old artist, whose real name is Jason Bradley DeFord, has been making waves in the music industry since 2003, and his popularity surged in 2022 with the hit single "Son of a Sinner." In January, he also opened Goodnight Nashville, a five-story honky tonk on Broadway, making him the first Nashville native to own a bar on Lower Broadway.
As the Predators look ahead to next season, this game serves as a reminder of the fierce competition in the Central Division and the challenges they faced throughout the year. Meanwhile, the Blues will continue their pursuit of a playoff spot, riding high on their recent success.
In conclusion, while the Predators' season has come to an end, the excitement of the NHL continues as teams jockey for position in the playoff race. Fans can look forward to more thrilling matchups in the coming weeks as the postseason approaches.
