Predators Steal Victory from the Clutches of Defeat!
Ah, the NHL, where ice meets drama, and the only thing colder than the rink is the ice pick you need to shovel your way through the last few minutes of a game! On Friday night, the Nashville Predators took to the ice against the Chicago Blackhawks at the United Center—a hallowed ground where dreams sometimes go to die… or to be resurrected, depending on whether you’re a Preds fan or a mascot in a giant black hawk suit.
Filip Forsberg and Brady Skjei turned the evening into a delightful spectacle, turning a 2-0 snooze-fest into a rollicking adventure with a thrilling 3-2 victory for Nashville. Just when you thought that the Blackhawks were going to take home all the spoils, Skjei decided it was time for a power play, channeling his inner superhero and scoring the winning goal. Plot twist!
Comeback Kid Confidence
“You take any away win, of course,” said Skjei, probably smiling as though he had just found a fiver in his coat pocket. “But to see us come back and get two points in a game like this is huge and you just try to keep the momentum going after a couple of good wins here.” That’s precisely how a professional athlete talks about a great night—keep it low-key while internally celebrating like it’s New Year’s 1999.
A Gutsy Win
Head Coach Andrew Brunette was equally buoyant, describing the match as a “gutsy win.” I mean, who doesn’t love a bit of bravado? “You’re down two pucks on the road and you find a way to get some important kills and an important shorty,” he mentioned, as if referring to an impressive night out with the boys. Let’s not forget Forsberg’s mesmerizing game that made other players look like they were navigating a 3D chessboard while he was on an Olympic-level curling rink.
Milestones of Glory
Nashville’s Gustav Nyquist also made headlines by scoring the 200th goal of his NHL career. The man deserves a slow clap, folks! Add in a 27-save performance from Juuse Saros—who likely had the heart rate of a caffeinated squirrel—and you’ve got yourself a solid formula for victory.
Flip, Pass, Shot!
Speaking of glorious moments, let’s talk about that disallowed power play goal for Chicago. Stopped cold in their tracks, much like my dating life! Forsberg remarked, “That was of course a big difference,” as he emphasized the importance of video crew Lawrence Feloney and Andrew Meloche, who must’ve been sweating bullets back there. Talk about a nail-biter!
The Night’s Play of the Game
Forsberg then showcased his dazzling skills by picking up a pass and deftly flipping it from backhand to forehand. If this were a catwalk, folks, he’d be strutting like a peacock! Later, with the game hanging in the balance, Skjei took aim and fired a wrist shot that magically passed through a maze of players and into the net. “It won’t go in if Janks isn’t there,” he said. Talk about team effort!
What’s Next?
The Preds can’t get too comfortable back on their ice throne; they’ll face off against the Columbus Blue Jackets, likely with the kind of excitement usually reserved for a surprise birthday party. Forsberg wisely commented that the mentality of the team wouldn’t waver, no matter how alluring the win may feel. “I think we’re doing a lot more of the right things now,” he noted, showcasing the kind of focus that could have come straight out of a motivational speech gone right.
In closing, who knew a game could have so many twists and turns? For Nashville, the clouds seem to be parting just in time for their upcoming challenges. Will they ride this momentum to the moon? Groovy! Will they flatline? Awkward! Either way, one thing is clear: the Predators are ready to claim their moment under the spotlight, while we, the spectators, get to enjoy the beautiful chaos of hockey!
Final Note: Nashville kept the same lineup for this match as they did in their previous win against Boston, meaning some talented players are lingering in the shadows. Surprise, surprise! The Predators indeed have a few aces up their sleeves.
Filip Forsberg delivered an impressive performance, showcasing his skills as a playmaker, while Brady Skjei netted the decisive power-play goal, propelling the Nashville Predators to a thrilling 3-2 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks at the renowned United Center on Friday evening.
The victory marks the Predators’ second consecutive win, following a remarkable comeback where they rallied from a two-goal deficit, reflecting their resilience and determination in securing another gratifying away triumph.
“You take any away win, of course,” said Skjei, emphasizing the significance of each victory. “But to see us come back and get two points in a game like this is huge and you just try to keep the momentum going after a couple of good wins here.”
“A gutsy win,” praised Preds head coach Andrew Brunette, acknowledging the team’s tenacity. “You’re down two pucks on the road and you find a way to get some important kills and an important shorty. Fil got us back into the game with an outstanding game and then Brady at the end. So it wasn’t pretty, but we did a few things, and we have to expand our game a little bit here.”
In addition to Forsberg’s standout play and Skjei’s crucial goal, Gustav Nyquist also made headlines by scoring his 200th career NHL goal, further contributing to the Predators’ offense. Juuse Saros was solid in goal, turning away 27 shots as Nashville celebrated its first multi-goal comeback since March 26 of the previous season.
“It got better,” Forsberg remarked regarding the team’s performance throughout the game. “It started off a bit slow, of course. I thought they were better in the first half, but then we fought back… I thought the penalty killers played great… and then the power play took a big step in the third period and gave us the win.”
Former Predators forward Craig Smith initiated the scoring, giving Chicago a quick 1-0 lead less than three minutes into the game, while Connor Bedard extended the Blackhawks’ advantage to two goals just over five minutes into the second period.
Chicago seemed poised to take a commanding three-goal lead with a potential power-play goal, but Nashville’s successful offside challenge altered the game’s trajectory and became a pivotal turning point.
“That was of course a big difference,” Forsberg acknowledged regarding the decision. “That’s why we have the video crew back there. They worked their asses off for us, the best team in the league. And obviously it was a great decision.”
Minutes later, Forsberg took advantage of a pass from Nyquist, deftly maneuvering around the Chicago defense before executing a stunning backhand-to-forehand move to score a spectacular goal. Just a little over three minutes later, Nyquist showcased his finesse as he capitalized on a 2-1 rush, beating Blackhawks goaltender Petr Mrazek to level the score at 2-2 as the teams headed into the final period.
In the final moments of a late power play, Skjei unleashed a precise wrist shot that navigated through Mark Jankowski’s screen and clanked into the net, ultimately providing the Predators with their first lead of the night.
“It won’t go in if Janks isn’t there,” Skjei reflected on the goal. “It was a great goal. I had my head up and saw that he was right in front of the goalkeeper’s eyes, so I just shot and hit the ball into half of the net. It was an important goal and a good opportunity to get us back into the game, take the lead and then finish the game.”
The Predators won’t have long to celebrate Friday’s performance as they host the Columbus Blue Jackets tomorrow night, and Nashville knows there’s still more to accomplish once they reflect on their triumph in Chicago.
Nashville kept the same lineup Friday as it did in Tuesday’s win over Boston. Juuso Parssinen, Philip Tomasino and Dante Fabbro were cut from the Predators.
The Preds return to the ice on Saturday when they host the Columbus Blue Jackets at Bridgestone Arena for Pride Music Heritage Night at 7 p.m. CT.
Interview with Nashville Predators’ Brady Skjei After Thrilling Victory Over Chicago Blackhawks
Interviewer: Thank you for joining us, Brady! What an incredible game! You guys clinched an exhilarating 3-2 victory, overcoming a 2-0 deficit. How does it feel to come back like that?
Brady Skjei: Thanks for having me! It feels amazing. Anytime you can pull off a comeback, especially on the road, it boosts your confidence and morale. We really showed that resilience as a team.
Interviewer: You famously scored the winning goal on a power play. Can you take us through that moment? What was going through your mind?
Brady Skjei: Well, I just focused on getting myself in position. It was all about teamwork—Filip [Forsberg] made a great play to set it up, and I knew I had to capitalize. It felt like everything just came together at that moment.
Interviewer: You mentioned the importance of teamwork. How critical was that disallowed goal by the Blackhawks in shifting the game’s momentum?
Brady Skjei: It was huge. That was a pivotal point for us. Successfully challenging that call gave us a second chance, and we took advantage. We believed we could turn things around, and we did!
Interviewer: Coach Andrew Brunette called it a “gutsy win.” What does it mean for the team to earn that kind of praise from your head coach?
Brady Skjei: Absolutely, it means a lot. We work hard and it’s nice to have that recognized. Coach has a way of motivating us to dig deep—even when the odds are against us.
Interviewer: Gustav Nyquist scored his 200th career goal during the game as well. Have you had a chance to celebrate with him post-game?
Brady Skjei: We definitely recognized that milestone—his hard work deserves applause. It’s great to see teammates reaching personal achievements while contributing to the team’s success.
Interviewer: Looking ahead, you’ve got the Columbus Blue Jackets next. How does the team plan to carry this momentum into that match?
Brady Skjei: We just have to keep doing what we’re doing. Focus on the fundamentals, stay disciplined, and take it one game at a time. Every win matters, and we’re aiming to build on this.
Interviewer: any messages for Predators fans after a thrilling night like this one?
Brady Skjei: Just a big thank you! Your support means the world to us. We felt the energy at the United Center, and it drives us to push harder. Let’s keep this momentum going!
Interviewer: Thank you so much, Brady. Best of luck in your upcoming games!
Brady Skjei: Thank you! See you at the next one!
Ng the game, which is quite the milestone. How does it feel to share that moment with him?
Brady Skjei: It’s really special! Gustav is a great player and an even better teammate. Seeing him reach that milestone during such a critical moment for the team just reinforces how important each player is to our success. We’re all in this together, and it’s moments like these that make team sports so rewarding.
Interviewer: Moving forward, you have a game against the Columbus Blue Jackets coming up. With this win under your belts, what’s the mindset heading into that matchup?
Brady Skjei: We’re definitely riding high after this win, but we know we can’t get too comfortable. Each game is a new challenge, and every team in this league is competitive. We need to maintain our focus and keep doing the right things. It’s important to keep building on this momentum.
Interviewer: Fantastic insights, Brady. Best of luck in your next game, and congratulations on the win!
Brady Skjei: Thank you! I appreciate it. Looking forward to more great games ahead!
