Ryan O’Reilly‘s Heroic Double and Shootout Magic Propel Nashville Predators Past Los Angeles Kings in Nail-Biter

In a pulse-pounding NHL showdown that had fans on the edge of their seats, Ryan O’Reilly delivered a masterclass performance, scoring twice in regulation and sealing the deal in the shootout to hand the Nashville Predators a hard-fought 3-2 victory over the Los Angeles Kings. The win, which came on a crisp October evening at Bridgestone Arena, not only boosted the Predators’ early-season record to 3-2-1 but also solidified O’Reilly’s status as the team’s offensive sparkplug, now leading with five goals and eight points through just six games.

The Predators vs Kings matchup has always carried a playoff-like intensity, reminiscent of their fierce Western Conference clashes in years past. But on this night, it was O’Reilly’s blend of grit and finesse that turned the tide. His first goal, a slick deflection off a Filip Forsberg shot in the second period, opened the scoring, while his second—a breakaway snipe in the third—tied the game at 2-2, forcing overtime and ultimately the dramatic NHL shootout. As the final shooter, O’Reilly deked Kings goaltender Cam Talbot with a forehand-backhand move that sent the home crowd into a frenzy.

“It’s all about finding that rhythm early,” O’Reilly said post-game, his voice steady amid the locker room celebrations. “The guys battled hard tonight, and to get that win in the shootout feels special. Credit to the team for sticking with it.” Nashville head coach Andrew Brunette echoed the sentiment, praising O’Reilly’s leadership: “Ryan’s the heartbeat of this group. When he scores like that, it lifts everyone.”

O’Reilly’s Breakout Night: From Trade Acquisition to Goal-Scoring Machine

Ryan O’Reilly‘s journey to becoming the Nashville Predators‘ go-to scorer hasn’t been a straight line. Acquired in a blockbuster trade from the St. Louis Blues just before the 2023-24 season, O’Reilly brought with him a Stanley Cup pedigree and a reputation as a two-way center. But in his Predators debut last year, he managed only 23 goals in 82 games—a respectable tally, but not the explosion many hoped for. Fast forward to this season, and O’Reilly is rewriting the narrative.

With five goals already, O’Reilly is on pace for a career resurgence. His shooting percentage sits at an impressive 25%, up from 11.4% last year, thanks in part to improved line chemistry with wingers like Filip Forsberg and newcomer Steven Stamkos. In the Predators vs Kings game, O’Reilly’s first tally came at 12:34 of the second period. Forsberg wristed a shot from the left circle, and O’Reilly, parked in front of Talbot, tipped it past the netminder for his fourth goal of the season. It was a textbook example of O’Reilly’s net-front presence, a skill honed during his Blues days where he won the Selke Trophy in 2019 as the league’s best defensive forward.

The second goal was pure opportunism. After the Kings took a 2-1 lead on a power-play marker from Anze Kopitar, O’Reilly stripped the puck from Drew Doughty at center ice and raced in alone. His patience paid off as he waited out Talbot, roofing a backhand at 7:21 of the third. Stats show O’Reilly leading the NHL in even-strength goals with four, underscoring his impact without relying on special teams. “He’s seeing the ice like never before,” teammate Filip Forsberg noted. “That breakaway? Vintage O’Reilly—smart, calculated, lethal.”

Beyond the scoresheet, O’Reilly’s influence extends to the penalty kill, where the Predators boast a 92.3% success rate, tops in the league. In this game, Nashville killed off two Kings power plays, with O’Reilly winning key faceoffs (he went 12-for-18 overall). His all-around game is why general manager Barry Trotz targeted him in the trade, sending away prospects and picks to bolster a roster eyeing another deep playoff run.

Shootout Showdown: Nashville’s Clutch Performance Seals the Victory

The NHL shootout has often been a house of horrors for the Predators, who entered the season with a 45% success rate over the past three years. But against the Kings, Nashville flipped the script in a three-round thriller that showcased their depth and goaltending prowess. After a scoreless overtime where Juuse Saros stonewalled LA’s top line, the shootout began with Filip Forsberg stepping up first for Nashville.

Forsberg, the Predators’ all-time leading scorer with 278 goals, deked Talbot but rang the post—a heartbreaker for the 17,159 in attendance. The Kings’ Adrian Kempe answered for LA, slipping one five-hole on Saros. Tension mounted in round two as Nashville’s Tommy Novak was stopped, but Saros robbed Kopitar with a sprawling glove save, keeping it tied. Then came O’Reilly in the decider. Drawing on his shootout experience (he’s 14-for-28 career), O’Reilly went top-shelf, beating Talbot clean and igniting the arena.

Saros was the unsung hero, finishing with 28 saves on 30 shots and a perfect 3-for-3 in the shootout. “Juuse is our rock,” O’Reilly said. “Those saves in OT and the shootout? Unbelievable.” The win improved Nashville’s shootout record to 1-0 this season, a small but crucial stat for a team that went 4-7 in them last year. Historically, Predators vs Kings shootouts have been rare— this was only the third since 2018—but Nashville now holds a 2-1 edge in those contests.

The drama wasn’t just skill; it was mental toughness. The Kings, coming off a 4-1 win over the Ducks, dominated shots 14-5 in the first period but couldn’t convert. Nashville’s forecheck, led by O’Reilly’s line, generated 12 high-danger chances, per Natural Stat Trick data, compared to LA’s eight. This resilience is key for the Predators, who have leaned on close games to build identity early in the season.

Forsberg’s Synergy with O’Reilly Fuels Predators’ Early Firepower

No discussion of the Nashville Predators‘ offense is complete without Filip Forsberg, whose chemistry with Ryan O’Reilly is proving electric. The Swedish winger, who signed an eight-year, $68.25 million extension last summer, assisted on O’Reilly’s first goal and nearly won it in the shootout. Forsberg enters this game with three goals and five assists, forming a dynamic top line with O’Reilly and Stamkos that’s outscoring opponents 8-3 at five-on-five.

In the Predators vs Kings tilt, Forsberg’s physicality shone. He logged 22:14 of ice time, including a team-high seven shots, and won 60% of his puck battles along the boards. His assist on O’Reilly’s tip-in was his fourth helper of the season, showcasing his playmaking evolution. “Playing with Ryan is a dream,” Forsberg said. “He finds the soft spots, and I just try to get him the puck. Tonight, it clicked.”

Forsberg’s impact goes beyond numbers. As Nashville’s emotional leader, he’s mentored younger players like Novak, who nearly scored in the shootout. The duo’s synergy dates back to training camp, where they connected on a franchise-record 12 goals in preseason. Statistically, when Forsberg and O’Reilly share the ice, Nashville’s expected goals for jumps to 2.8 per 60 minutes, per MoneyPuck analytics. This pairing addresses last season’s offensive woes, when the Predators ranked 22nd in goals per game at 2.7.

Looking at the bigger picture, Forsberg’s consistency— he’s hit 30+ goals in four straight seasons—complements O’Reilly’s versatility. Together, they’re driving a balanced attack that includes contributions from the second line, where Colton Sissons scored Nashville’s other regulation goal on a wraparound in the first period. This depth was evident as the Predators out-hit the Kings 28-19, wearing down LA’s defense over 65 minutes.

Predators’ Defensive Stand and Goaltending Edge Out Kings’ Veteran Core

While O’Reilly and Forsberg grabbed headlines, the Nashville Predators‘ victory was a total team effort anchored by stout defense and elite goaltending. Juuse Saros, the Vezina finalist from 2023, faced 32 shots and allowed just two goals, both on the power play where LA converted 2-of-4 chances. Nashville’s penalty kill, already league-leading, held firm after O’Reilly’s infractions, blocking six shots and clearing the zone 14 times.

Dante Fabbro and Roman Josi paced the blue line, with Josi assisting on Sissons’ goal and logging 26:45 of TOI. The Predators’ blocked shots totaled 18, led by Jeremy Lauzon’s four, frustrating the Kings’ snipers like Quinton Byfield, who finished minus-2 despite his assist on Kempe’s goal. LA’s veteran core, including Kopitar (now 37) and Doughty, showed weariness; Kopitar won only 48% of faceoffs, his lowest in a home-and-away set this year.

Contextually, the Kings entered with a 4-1-1 record but struggled on the road, going 1-1-1. Their power play, clicking at 28% pre-game, exploited Nashville’s 78% kill rate early, but Saros’ .933 save percentage in those situations shut the door. “We bent but didn’t break,” Brunette said. “That’s the mark of a contender.” This game highlighted Nashville’s evolution under Brunette, who replaced John Hynes mid-last season and instilled a more aggressive neutral-zone trap, limiting LA to just 0.92 expected goals against per MoneyPuck.

Comparatively, the Predators vs Kings rivalry has seen 12 meetings since 2020, with Nashville holding a 7-5 edge. Tonight’s win evens the season series at 1-1, setting up intrigue for their March rematch in LA. For the Kings, the loss drops them to 4-2-1, exposing vulnerabilities in their bottom-six scoring, where they’ve managed just three even-strength goals all year.

Season Momentum Builds: Predators Eye Central Division Dominance

As the Nashville Predators savor this NHL shootout triumph, the implications ripple through their schedule. Sitting third in the Central Division behind the surging Avalanche and Jets, Nashville’s 3-2-1 start matches their best in five years. O’Reilly’s eight points pace the team, but the real story is balance: five players with multi-point games already, and a +5 goal differential that’s second in the conference.

Looking ahead, the Predators face a gauntlet: back-to-back games against the Wild and Blues before a California road trip. O’Reilly’s hot streak could propel them, especially with Stamkos expected to return from injury next week, adding firepower. “We’re building something here,” Forsberg said. “Wins like this in shootouts build confidence for the playoffs.” Analysts project Nashville as a wild-card lock, with their cap space allowing mid-season tweaks if needed.

For the Kings, this loss stings amid high expectations post-Darcy Kuemper acquisition. But with talents like Byfield emerging, they remain contenders. As the NHL season heats up, games like this Predators vs Kings remind us why hockey’s magic lies in its unpredictability—where a trade acquisition like Ryan O’Reilly can turn rivals into believers overnight. Nashville’s next test comes Friday against Minnesota, where they’ll aim to extend this momentum into a statement road swing.