Nashville Predators’ 2024-25 NHL Season Overview
The Nashville Predators faced significant challenges during the 2024-25 NHL season, resulting in a total of only 30 wins. This marked their worst outcome in an 82-game schedule since the 2002-03 season, when they secured just 27 victories in their early years. Despite the disappointing overall performance, the Predators managed to claim victory in six regular-season series, undefeated in three of them. Below, we explore the teams that the Predators were particularly successful against in this difficult campaign.
Successful Matchups
Carolina Hurricanes (Record: 2-0)
Among their successful runs, Nashville took down the Carolina Hurricanes, a team that saw playoff success earlier in the year, including a trip to the Eastern Conference Finals. The Predators overwhelmed the Hurricanes starting on December 23, where they established an early 4-0 lead, ultimately winning 5-2, with Jonathan Marchessault contributing two goals and an assist. Their second encounter on March 25 featured less scoring but still ended in Nashville’s favor, 3-1, thanks to a late insurance goal from Luke Evangelista.
Boston Bruins (Record: 2-0)
Nashville also dominated the Boston Bruins, outscoring them by a whopping 10-3 over their two regular-season matchups. The first clash occurred on October 22, when Juuse Saros preserved a shutout with 33 saves in a commanding 4-0 victory. Additional highlights came from Ryan O’Reilly, who posted a goal and an assist during that contest. They would later meet again on March 4, where the Predators showcased their offensive strength with a 6-3 win, featuring O’Reilly again with two goals and Stamkos issuing two assists.
San Jose Sharks (Record: 3-0)
The Predators found a scoring bonanza against the San Jose Sharks, amassing 28 goals across three matchups, including dramatic finishes. In their January 21 clash, Nashville overcame a 5-1 deficit by scoring six straight goals for a 7-5 comeback victory, led by Marchessault’s stellar performance. A subsequent game just days later resulted in another nail-biter, with Nashville edging out with a 6-5 win after a late power-play goal from Fedor Svechkov. The final matchup on March 11 was tighter but still favored the Predators, leading to a 3-2 victory thanks to Kieffer Bellows’ game-winning goal in the third period.
Chicago Blackhawks (Record: 3-1)
The Predators found moderate success against fellow Central Division rivals, the Chicago Blackhawks, winning three out of four meetings. This was Nashville’s lone series victory within the Central Division. Their first game on October 25 featured an impressive comeback, where they scored three unanswered goals after being down 2-0. Their efforts continued in a close 3-2 shootout win on January 16, though the Blackhawks retaliated with a 6-2 win on February 7, marking a tough stretch for Nashville. However, they finished strong with a thrilling 3-2 overtime victory on March 8, highlighted by a hat trick from Stamkos.
Vancouver Canucks (Record: 2-1)
Lastly, the Predators squared off against the Vancouver Canucks, managing a 2-1 record against them. Their first win came in November, with another notable effort resulting in a 3-0 shutout victory on January 1, fueled by Juuse Saros’ impressive 27 saves. Despite the Predators’ success, they concluded the season series with a 3-1 loss in late January.
Conclusion
Overall, while the Predators faced struggles during the season, these few bright spots in their record against select teams provided some much-needed highlights amid a challenging year for the franchise. Their ability to dominate these opponents demonstrates resilience, indicating potential growth as they look toward the next season.
