The Nashville Predators won their first game of the 2024-25 season, defeating the Boston Bruins 4-0 on Tuesday night at Bridgestone Arena. This win was important for the team, as they had lost their last five games and were struggling early in the season.
Goaltender Juuse Saros played amazingly, making 33 saves and earning his 25th career shutout. It was a team effort for Nashville, with goals scored by Ryan O’Reilly, Tommy Novak, Gustav Nyquist, and Luke Evangelista.
How It Happened
First Period: O’Reilly Gives Nashville the Lead
The Predators took the lead late in the first period with a power-play goal by Ryan O’Reilly. With about three minutes left in the period, O’Reilly tipped in a shot from Roman Josi, making it 1-0. This was O’Reilly’s second goal of the season and a big moment for a team that had been struggling to score.
Second Period: Novak Doubles the Lead
In the second period, Tommy Novak made it 2-0 for Nashville. The goal came just after a Bruins penalty ended, and Novak quickly put the rebound past Boston goalie Jeremy Swayman. This was the first time this season that the Predators had a multi-goal lead.
Third Period: Saros Shuts Down the Bruins, Preds Add More Goals
The Bruins tried to come back in the third period, but Saros made several big saves, including one on a breakaway by Boston star David Pastrnak. Then, Gustav Nyquist scored his first goal of the season during a 2-on-1 rush, making it 3-0 for the Predators. A minute later, Luke Evangelista sealed the win with an empty-net goal.
Key Performances
Juuse Saros: Saros was excellent in goal, stopping all 33 shots. His performance was especially important in the third period when Boston pushed hard to get back into the game.
Ryan O’Reilly: O’Reilly played well, scoring the first goal and getting an assist. His leadership and skills helped Nashville improve their offense.
Roman Josi: The Predators’ captain provided two assists, including one on O’Reilly’s opening goal. His presence on the ice helped Nashville control the game.
What’s Next?
This win gave the Predators their first points of the season. Now, they will try to keep this momentum when they play against the Blackhawks in Chicago on Friday. After that, they’ll return home to play the Columbus Blue Jackets on Saturday. The Bruins will be back in action on Thursday when they host the Dallas Stars.
This victory was a big confidence boost for Nashville, and the team hopes it will lead to more success.
