The day has finally arrived! After nearly six months, the Nashville Predators will return to the ice against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Thursday at Bridgestone Arena at 7 p.m. CST.
The new season gives the Predators a fresh start after a disappointing campaign last season. This year's roster will face multiple new additions, including the Predators 2025 fifth overall pick, Brady Martin.
With puck drop upon us, here is everything you need to know ahead of the Predators' season opener.
Inactive players
- Nashville defenseman Nicolas Hague is out with an upper-body injury until at least Oct. 23.
- Nashville forward Matthew Wood is out with a lower-body injury until at least Oct. 11.
- Nashville forward Luke Evangelista is still figuring out details with his newly signed contract and was listed as "non-roster" on the Predators' opening night roster announcement on Monday.
- Columbus defenseman Luca Marrelli is out until at least Dec. 16 with a shoulder injury.
- Columbus forward Jordan Dumais is out until at least Oct. 18 with a hip injury.
Brady Martin to make NHL debut
The Predators highest pick since 2013, Martin, is set to make his NHL debut on Thursday. Head coach Andrew Brunette confirmed on Wednesday that the center would play.
Martin said he has around 30 family members in town to watch him play. He is expected to center the Predators top line with Filip Forsberg and Ryan O'Reilly on the wings.
It's a big moment that's received some criticism, but the Predators feel confident in Martin's capabilities.
Nashville Predators confident with Brady Martin centering Forsberg, O'Reilly line ahead of opening nightBrady Martin may have the biggest role of any rookie in the NHL on opening night.
Predators eyeing a strong start to season
A lot of the Predators hype from the 2024 offseason was derailed in October as they went 5-9-1 and lost their first five games. In wanting to have a chance to make the playoffs this season, the Predators will need to have a strong start out of the gate.
Nashville earned between both of its matchups against the Blue Jackets last season.
Its first meeting was one of the few games the Predators won in October, taking a 4-3 overtime win on Oct. 26.
The second meeting was an 8-4 blowout victory in favor of the Blue Jackets on April 1. That loss was in the middle of a six-game Predators losing streak at the end of last season.
Nashville has also not won on a traditional opening-night since 2019. It's win over Columbus to open the 2020-21 season was in January in an abbreviated 56-game season. The Predators win over the San Jose Sharks to start the 2022-23 season was part of a double-header played in Prague, Czechia.
Nashville Predators Hope To Reverse Recent Opening Night StrugglesApr 16, 2025; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Nashville Predators goaltender Juuse Saros (74) blocks the puck against the Dallas Stars during the second period at Bridgestone Arena. Steve Roberts-Imagn Images
Projected Predators lineup
Nashville
Forwards
Forsberg-Martin-O'Reilly
Kemell-Svechkov-Stamkos (potentially Evangelista at LW)
Bunting-Haula-Marchessault
Jost/Wiesblatt-McCarron-Smith
Defensemen
Wilsby-Josi
Skjei-Perbix
Stastney-Barron
Blankenburg
Goaltender
Juuse Saros
How to follow along
Game time: vs. Columbus Blue Jackets on Thursday, Oct. 9 at 7 p.m. CST
Where: Bridgestone Arena, 501 Broadway, Nashville, Tenn.
Line (via MGM): Nashville -1.5, Columbus +1.5. Over/under 6
TV/streaming: FanDuel Sports Network South
Radio: 102.6 The Game
Tickets: Available via Ticketmaster starting at $37.50