The Nashville Predators staged an impressive comeback Thursday, October 8, defeating the Montreal Canadiens 5-2 at Bell Centre. After falling behind 2-0 early in the second period, Nashville scored five unanswered goals to secure the road victory. Ryan O’Reilly delivered the decisive goal with 3:16 remaining, capitalizing on a power play to give the Predators their first lead. Adam Edstrom added two empty-net goals, while Alexander Kerfoot and Matthew Wood also scored. Goaltender Juuse Saros played a crucial role, making 32 saves to withstand Montreal’s offensive pressure. The victory improved Nashville’s record to 2-1-1, while Montreal dropped to 1-2-1, extending its winless stretch to three games.
Opening Period and Early Challenges
The opening period ended scoreless despite Montreal generating several dangerous opportunities. Chris Kreider appeared to put the Canadiens ahead after converting a rebound from an Alex Newhook shot, but Nashville challenged the play for offside. Video review confirmed the infraction, overturning the goal and preserving the tie. Montreal continued attacking, testing Saros with shots from dangerous areas, while Nashville focused on defensive discipline. The Predators entered the matchup looking to respond after an overtime loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs. Despite Montreal’s early pressure, Nashville remained composed, setting the stage for an eventful second period that dramatically changed the game’s momentum.
Second Period Turnaround
Montreal broke the deadlock at 3:12 of the second period when captain Nick Suzuki scored during four-on-four play. Suzuki collected a loose puck in front of the net and beat Saros with a backhand shot through the goaltender’s five-hole. The Canadiens doubled their lead at 8:50 when Newhook finished a chance created by Josh Anderson’s forechecking. Anderson pressured defenseman Adam Wilsby behind the net, forced a turnover and delivered a centering pass for Newhook to convert. Nashville responded at 15:06 as Kerfoot redirected Wilsby’s point shot past Montreal goaltender Jacob Fowler, cutting the deficit to 2-1. With only 32 seconds remaining in the period, Wood scored on the power play to tie the game 2-2, restoring Nashville’s confidence heading into the third.
Decisive Third Period
Wood’s equalizer followed a controversial sequence in which the net became dislodged after Anderson cross-checked Steven Stamkos into the goalpost. Officials reviewed the play and allowed the goal to stand under NHL Rule 63.7, which addresses situations involving a displaced net when the attacking team has an imminent scoring opportunity. The decision proved significant, erasing Montreal’s two-goal advantage before the final period. Both teams battled for control in the third, with Saros making a crucial save against Anderson on a breakaway to prevent the Canadiens from regaining the lead. Fowler, making his first NHL start of the season after being recalled from the American Hockey League’s Laval Rocket, finished with 15 saves. He entered the lineup after Samuel Montembeault sustained a lower-body injury, facing a difficult challenge as Nashville increasingly pressured Montreal’s defense.
Late Game Heroics
The decisive moment arrived with 3:16 remaining in regulation when Montreal defenseman Mike Matheson was penalized for tripping Stamkos in the neutral zone. Nashville took advantage of the power play as O’Reilly redirected a point shot from captain Roman Josi past Fowler, putting the Predators ahead 3-2. The goal rewarded Nashville’s persistence after recovering from its early deficit. Montreal pulled Fowler for an extra attacker in an attempt to equalize, but Edstrom scored twice into the empty net to secure the 5-2 victory. Kerfoot recorded a goal and an assist, while Josi and Stamkos each contributed two assists. Saros’ 32-save performance proved equally important, helping Nashville survive Montreal’s sustained pressure. The Predators’ timely special-teams execution and late-game finishing ultimately separated the teams.
The defeat highlighted Montreal’s difficulty protecting its advantage, despite strong offensive contributions from Suzuki and Newhook. Nashville’s comeback demonstrated resilience, composure and an ability to capitalize on critical opportunities. Fowler deserves consideration given the circumstances surrounding his start, while Montreal must improve its defensive execution and penalty discipline moving forward. For Nashville, the victory provided a valuable response after its previous 5-4 overtime defeat against Toronto, ending a five-game losing streak against Montreal dating back to March 2024. The Predators transformed a two-goal deficit into a convincing road win through timely scoring and dependable goaltending. Montreal is scheduled to host the Detroit Red Wings on Saturday, October 10, while Nashville continues its road trip against the Ottawa Senators. The immediate takeaway is clear: O’Reilly’s late power-play winner and Edstrom’s empty-net goals completed a remarkable comeback for the Predators.
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