The setbacks of the Nashville Predators show no sign of stopping at the start of the NHL season.
The Preds lost for the fifth time in as many games, losing 5-2 to the Detroit Red Wings on Saturday.
The Predators and San Jose Sharks (0-3-2) are the only two teams still looking for their first win in 2024-25. The Tennessee club is, however, the only one with an empty points tally.
Before the game, the Preds celebrated Luke Schenn’s 1,000th career game. The veteran defenseman thanked the organization by opening the scoring in the first period.
The Wings’ response came from the stick of Vladimir Tarasenko. The Russian beat Juuse Saros with a good one-timer from the left circle to tie the game.
In the second, only Dylan Larkin was able to hit the target. The Red Wings captain completed a superb passing play orchestrated by Patrick Kane and Alex DeBrincat to give his team a first lead.
Blanked in four games so far this season, Steven Stamkos woke up at the start of the third period. After only 32 seconds of the start, “Stammer” leveled the score with a one-timer from his office, in the left circle. The 34-year-old veteran thus collected his first goal and first point with the Preds.
It was also his 215th power play success, which allowed him to join Joe Nieuwendyk in 13th place in the history of the National Hockey League (NHL).
Unfortunately for Stamkos and his teammates, the Wings wanted to spoil the party in Nashville. Less than three minutes later, Andrew Copp gave the Wings the lead for good with his second of the campaign. Simon Edvinsson scored into an empty net at 18:43 and Copp scored his second of the game 35 seconds later to seal the game.
Marco Kasper, a 20-year-old Austrian drafted eighth overall in the 2022 draft, collected his first career point in his second NHL game. He was an accomplice in Tarasenko’s net.
Saros was tested 22 times in front of the Predators cage and he gave in three times. Alex Lyon made 37 saves, including a spectacular one with the stick handle against Stamkos at five on three.
Steve Yzerman became the sixth man to play 1,000 games in the NHL and manage 1,000 more as general manager. The others are Bob Gainey, Bobby Clarke, Bob Murray, Bob Pulford and Doug Wilson.
The Preds will try to end their losing streak Tuesday against the Boston Bruins.
Oettinger continues his strong start to the season
Matt Duchene scored a double and the Stars defeated the Edmonton Oilers 4-1 in Dallas.
Roope Hintz also sparkled the red light and totaled three points to help the Texas team win a fifth game in six outings. Jason Robertson was the other scorer. He finished the game with two points, as did Logan Stankoven.
Playing his first game since signing an eight-year, $66 million contract extension, Jake Oettinger shone with 30 saves. He is 4-0-0 with a .953 save percentage this season.
The Stars have won their first four home games this season. This is the fourth time they have achieved this, their record being five in 1998-99. They won the Stanley Cup at the end of this campaign.
Leon Draisaitl scored the only goal for the Oilers, who lost for the fourth time in six games. With an assist, Connor McDavid came within 12 points of the 1,000 career plateau.
In the defeat, Stuart Skinner turned away 20 of the 23 pucks aimed at him.
