The Nashville Predators have won four of their last five games, sparking talk of a resurgence driven by Steven Stamkos and young players like Ozzy Wiesblatt. However, Wiesblatt's upper-body injury will sideline him for 8-10 weeks after a collision in Thursday's 2-1 overtime victory against the Florida Panthers. The team sits at 10-13-4, still needing a strong push for playoff contention.
The Nashville Predators' recent performance has injected new energy into a season that started poorly. After a disjointed October, the team has secured four wins in their last five contests, including a 2-1 overtime victory over the Florida Panthers on Thursday, a 5-1 win against the Calgary Flames on Dec. 2, and triumphs over the Detroit Red Wings and Chicago Blackhawks. This streak has seen the Predators score 15 goals in their three most recent victories, with crisp puck movement revitalizing their offense.
Steven Stamkos has been central to this turnaround, recording six points in his last five games, including an overtime winner against the Panthers and his 1,200th career point. The veteran forward, acquired by general manager Barry Trotz, has shifted narratives about his declining production. Meanwhile, rookies Reid Schaefer and Ozzy Wiesblatt have added intensity to the bottom six, each scoring their first NHL goals during this stretch. Their physical play has complemented the veterans, helping the team rediscover grit.
Goaltender Juuse Saros has also stepped up, making 30 saves in the Panthers game and 27 against the Flames. Yet, his season save percentage stands at .897, below his career .913 average, and the Predators rank 28th in goals against per game.
The momentum was tempered by injuries. Wiesblatt, a 2020 first-round pick with four points (1G, 3A) in 24 games this season, suffered an upper-body injury in the Panthers game after colliding with Carter Verhaeghe and teammate Michael McCarron. He is out 8-10 weeks. Defenseman Justin Barron, with four assists in 19 games, is week to week with an upper-body issue and was placed on injured reserve.
At 10-13-4, Nashville trails Chicago by six points in the wild-card race. While the Western Conference's mediocrity offers hope, the team must sustain this form to reach around 110 points for a playoff spot. Questions linger on whether this is a true revival or temporary boost ahead of potential trades for players like Stamkos and Jonathan Marchessault.