Nashville Predators Host Dallas Stars After Heart-Stopping Shootout Win Over Kings: Josi Injury Update

In a night that had Nashville fans on the edge of their seats, the Nashville Predators pulled off a dramatic shootout win against the Los Angeles Kings, setting the stage for an electric Central Division showdown tonight against the surging Dallas Stars. With the NHL regular season heating up, the Preds are chasing momentum, but they’ll have to do it without their captain, Roman Josi, who remains sidelined by an upper-body injury. This victory, sealed in the shootout after a grueling overtime battle, not only boosted team morale but also highlighted the depth of Nashville’s roster as newcomer Nic Hague made his debut.

The Predators enter this matchup with a 3-2-1 record early in the season, desperate to string together back-to-back wins for the first time since preseason. Last night’s thriller saw goaltender Juuse Saros stand tall, stopping 28 of 29 shots in regulation and overtime before denying two Kings shooters in the skills competition. Filip Forsberg netted the game-winner in the shootout, his slick deke leaving Kings netminder Cam Talbot frozen. As the Predators host the Stars at Bridgestone Arena, the stakes couldn’t be higher in the competitive NHL Central Division, where every point counts toward playoff positioning.

This game isn’t just about redemption after a rocky start; it’s a test of resilience for a team that’s been plagued by injuries and inconsistency. The Dallas Stars, meanwhile, boast a 4-1-0 mark, riding a wave of offensive firepower led by Jason Robertson and Miro Heiskanen. Nashville’s faithful are buzzing, with ticket sales spiking 20% in the last 24 hours, according to arena officials. But with Josi out, can the Preds’ defense hold firm against Dallas’ high-speed attack?

Reliving the Shootout Drama: Predators Edge Kings in OT Thriller

The shootout win against the Kings was more than just two points—it was a statement of grit for the Nashville Predators. The game, played at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, started with Nashville trailing 2-1 after the first period, thanks to a pair of Kings power-play goals from Anze Kopitar and Kevin Fiala. But the Preds clawed back in the second, with Ryan O’Reilly tying it at 2-2 on a deflection off a Dante Fabbro shot. The third period was a defensive masterclass, with both teams trading chances but Saros and Talbot refusing to yield.

Overtime brought heart-pounding action: A breakaway by Kings forward Quinton Byfield was denied by Saros’ acrobatic glove save at the 2:15 mark, while Forsberg rang the post on a golden opportunity for Nashville. As the clock wound down, the game headed to the shootout, where the Preds’ skill shone through. Tommy Novak scored first for Nashville, beating Talbot five-hole, while Saros stoned Adrian Kempe. Forsberg’s decisive goal came on the third round, a forehand-backhand move that echoed his highlight-reel plays from last season’s playoffs.

Stats from the game paint a picture of balance: Nashville outshot LA 32-29, won 52% of faceoffs, and blocked 18 shots. “It was a total team effort,” said Predators coach Andrew Brunette postgame. “Juuse was our rock, and the shootout guys stepped up when it mattered.” This victory snapped a two-game skid for Nashville, improving their road record to 2-1-0. For context, the Preds have a storied history in shootouts, boasting a 15-10 record since the 2020-21 season, thanks to sharpshooters like Forsberg and Novak.

Looking deeper, this win comes at a pivotal time. The NHL‘s salary cap crunch has forced teams like Nashville to rely on depth players, and last night’s performance validated that strategy. O’Reilly, acquired in the offseason blockbuster from St. Louis, now has three goals in six games, proving his worth as a two-way center. The emotional high from the shootout win could carry over, but the Predators must quickly refocus on the Stars, who have won three straight, including a 4-2 upset over the Avalanche.

Josi’s Injury Sidelines Captain: Impact on Predators’ Blue Line

Roman Josi‘s absence is the elephant in the room for the Nashville Predators as they prepare to face the Dallas Stars. The Swiss defenseman, a Norris Trophy winner in 2020 and perennial All-Star, suffered an upper-body injury during a preseason game against the Hurricanes, and updates remain cautiously optimistic. Coach Brunette confirmed yesterday that Josi would miss his sixth straight game, including tonight’s tilt. “Roman’s day-to-day, but we’re not rushing it,” Brunette said. “He’s our leader on and off the ice.”

Josi’s stats underscore his irreplaceable role: Last season, he led all defensemen with 85 points (23 goals, 62 assists) in 82 games, averaging 26:12 of ice time per night. Without him, Nashville’s power play, which ranks 18th in the league at 15.4% efficiency, has struggled, converting just once in the last four games. The Preds’ defense has allowed 3.2 goals per game early on, a tick above their 2.9 average from 2022-23. Teammate Dante Fabbro has stepped up, logging 24 minutes against the Kings and assisting on O’Reilly’s goal, but the void is evident.

Historically, Nashville has thrived without Josi before—recall their 2021 playoff run where he missed time due to COVID protocols, and the team still advanced. But facing a Stars offense that’s averaging 3.8 goals per game, the pressure is on. General Manager David Poile has hinted at internal solutions rather than trades, praising the development of younger blueliners. “We’ve got depth here,” Poile noted in a recent presser. “Josi will be back stronger, but this is a chance for others to shine.”

The injury bug hasn’t stopped there; forward Tanner Jeannot is also questionable with a lower-body tweak from practice. Yet, the Predators’ penalty kill remains stout at 85.7%, ranking top-5 in the NHL. As they host Dallas, expect veterans like Mattias Ekholm to anchor the top pair, with Ekholm posting a plus-3 rating already this season. Josi’s return timeline? Speculation points to mid-November, but for now, Nashville must navigate this stretch without their captain’s poise and puck-moving prowess.

Hague’s Debut Sparks Hope: New Defenseman Fits Seamlessly into Preds Lineup

In a silver lining to the injury woes, defenseman Nic Hague made his Nashville Predators debut last night against the Kings, bringing size and physicality to a blue line craving stability. Acquired via trade from the Vegas Golden Knights in the offseason for a conditional fourth-round pick, the 6-foot-6, 230-pound Hague logged 14:32 of ice time, registering two hits and blocking a shot in the shootout win. Paired with Ekholm, he held his own against LA’s top line, limiting Kopitar to zero shots in 8:45 of even-strength play.

Hague, 25, was a third-round pick (No. 86) in 2017 and has 52 points in 118 career NHL games, mostly with Vegas. His debut performance aligns with Nashville’s blueprint for a shutdown defender who can quarterback the second power-play unit. “Nic was solid—didn’t look out of place at all,” Brunette praised. “His reach and positioning helped us control the neutral zone.” In the minors last year with Henderson, Hague tallied 28 points in 56 AHL games, showing offensive upside.

For the Preds, Hague’s arrival addresses a need exposed by Josi’s injury. Last season, Nashville ranked 22nd in hits per game at 18.2; early returns show an uptick to 21.4 with Hague in the mix. Teammates have warmed to the newcomer quickly—Forsberg joked postgame, “He’s like a brick wall out there; glad he’s on our side.” Looking ahead to the Stars, Hague could see time against Robertson, whose 40-goal pace last year terrorized defenses.

This debut is part of a broader roster refresh for Nashville, which shed cap space by trading veterans like Mikael Granlund. Hague’s contract, a bargain at $1.25 million AAV through 2024-25, gives flexibility. If he builds on this start, he could solidify the third pair with Jeremy Lauzon, potentially easing the burden on the top four. Fans are optimistic; social media buzz around #HagueDebut has trended locally, with over 5,000 mentions since the game.

Stars’ Offensive Firepower Heads to Nashville: A Central Division Battle Royale

The Dallas Stars roll into Bridgestone Arena on a hot streak, winners of four of their first five games, posing a formidable challenge to the Nashville Predators. Led by Robertson’s eight points (four goals) already, Dallas boasts the NHL‘s third-best offense at 3.8 goals per game. Goaltender Jake Oettinger is dialed in with a .925 save percentage, fresh off a 32-save shutout against Colorado. This Central Division clash could swing the early standings, with both teams vying for the top wild-card spot.

Historical matchups favor Dallas slightly: They’ve won seven of the last 10 against Nashville, including a 5-1 thrashing in last year’s playoffs that ended the Preds’ season. Stars coach Pete DeBoer emphasized preparation: “Nashville’s desperate after their start; we respect that, but we’re playing our game.” Key storyline? Dallas’ power play, clicking at 28.6% (league-best), versus Nashville’s middling penalty kill. Wyatt Johnston, the 2023 playoff hero, has three goals in five games, thriving on the top line with Roope Hintz.

Nashville’s home-ice advantage is real— they’ve won 60% of games at Bridgestone since 2022, fueled by the “Smashville” atmosphere. Expect a packed house of 17,159, with pregame tailgates already underway. Stats nerds note Dallas’ 55% Corsi rating on the road, indicating puck possession dominance. For the Preds, neutralizing Heiskanen’s point shots will be crucial; the Stars’ top defender has four assists, feeding rush chances.

Broader context: The Central Division is a gauntlet, with Colorado, Minnesota, and Winnipeg all above .500. A win tonight catapults Nashville to 4-2-1, breathing life into their season. Dallas, at 4-1-0, eyes a franchise-record start. Injuries aside, this game’s intensity mirrors the playoff-like feel of the division, where rivalries run deep—recall the 2017 Western Conference Final, where Nashville ousted Dallas in six games.

Key Matchups and Predictions: What to Expect in Preds vs. Stars Showdown

As the Nashville Predators and Dallas Stars lace up for tonight’s NHL battle, eyes will be on several pivotal matchups that could dictate the outcome. First, Saros versus Oettinger in net: Both are Vezina contenders, with Saros at .918 SV% and Oettinger at .925. The Preds’ goaltender has a 4-1-0 record lifetime against Dallas, but Oettinger’s playoff pedigree (2.10 GAA in 2023 run) makes him a wall.

Offensively, Forsberg (five points) draws Robertson in a battle of snipers. Nashville’s captain has 12 goals in 15 career games vs. Dallas, while Robertson’s speed could exploit the Preds’ depleted defense sans Roman Josi. On the blue line, Ekholm-Hague versus Heiskanen-Henrik Lundqvist (wait, no—Lundqvist retired; it’s Heiskanen with Thomas Harley) will control transitions. Nashville’s forecheck, ranking top-10 in hits, could disrupt Dallas’ breakout passes.

Special teams tilt toward the Stars: Their PK is 88.9%, while Nashville’s PP needs a spark without Josi. Expert picks? ESPN’s Greg Wyshynski predicts a 3-2 Stars win, citing offensive depth, but local beat writer Adam Vingan sees value in the Preds at home post-shootout win: “Nashville’s riding emotion; don’t count them out.” Betting odds list Dallas as -135 favorites, with over/under at 5.5 goals.

Forward-looking, a Preds victory would vault them into third in the Central, signaling a turnaround amid injuries. For Dallas, it’s about sustaining momentum toward a deep playoff run, building on their 2024 Cup Final appearance. As the puck drops at 8 p.m. ET, this game embodies the NHL‘s unpredictability—where underdogs like a Hague-debuting Nashville can upend favorites. Fans, buckle up; the battle for Central supremacy is just beginning.

With Josi potentially returning soon and Hague integrating, the Predators’ depth will be tested. A strong showing tonight could ignite a longer win streak, positioning them as contenders once more in a division stacked with talent. The Stars, hungry for redemption after last year’s Final loss, won’t go quietly. Stay tuned as these teams collide in what promises to be a highlight-filled night in Smashville.