Predators squander two-goal lead in shootout loss at Ottawa

Nashville led by two goals before the first period was even over and had nothing to show for it by the time the shootout decided things. Ottawa beat the Predators 3-2 in a shootout on Saturday at Canadian Tire Centre, rallying with power-play and extra-attacker goals before winning it in the shootout. Read more: Predators shootout loss Ottawa

The result leaves Nashville at 2-1-2 on the season. Ottawa improved to 4-1-0.

Predators build fast lead

Ross Colton put Nashville ahead 8:50 into the first period on a snap shot, assisted by Vitali Pinchuk and Alexander Kerfoot. Jonathan Marchessault made it 2-0 at 13:10 on the power play, finishing a passing play from Steven Stamkos and Roman Josi. Stamkos's assist extended his season-opening point streak to five straight games.

Ottawa cut into the lead in the second period when Tim Stutzle scored on the power play at 9:29, assisted by Dylan Cozens and Thomas Chabot. The Senators did not tie it until 18:37 of the third, when Drake Batherson redirected a Stutzle shot past Matt Murray with Ottawa's goalie pulled for an extra attacker.

Related: Penguins end three game skid with shootout win

Ottawa did not register its first shot of the third period until well past the midway point, then scored on nearly its only real chance of the frame. Nashville had led for more than 45 minutes of game time by the time that goal forced overtime.

Overtime went scoreless. Nashville killed a penalty, and Linus Ullmark stopped a Roman Josi breakaway, sending the game to a shootout. Ryan O'Reilly scored on Nashville's first attempt. Stutzle beat Murray in the second round and Shane Pinto won it in the third, with Ullmark stopping Steven Stamkos to end it.

Murray makes rare start

Juuse Saros sat out after a heavy early-season workload, and Matt Murray started in his place. It was Murray's first NHL start since January 8, 2024, with the Dallas Stars, a gap of nearly three years. He finished with 18 saves on 20 shots. Stutzle's power-play goal and Batherson's late deflection, which forced overtime, got past him.

Nashville also debuted two new faces Saturday. Defenseman Jayden Struble, acquired from Montreal on Friday, played his first game in a Predators sweater one day after the trade. Forward Vitali Pinchuk made his NHL debut and picked up the assist on Colton's opening goal, the first point of his career.

Ullmark finished with 16 saves on 18 shots for Ottawa. Both teams went 1 for 6 on the power play. The Senators won 35 of 64 faceoffs, an edge that helped them control puck possession late.

Nashville returns home to face the Vegas Golden Knights on Tuesday, still searching for a complete 60 minutes from its goaltending. Ottawa goes to New Jersey on Monday.