Opening night at Bridgestone Arena had all the drama you could ask for — clutch saves, momentum swings, and a game-winning goal that will keep fans talking. The Nashville Predators kicked off their season with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets, thanks to the heroics of goalie Juuse Saros and veteran forward Ryan O’Reilly. But here’s where things get interesting… last season, the Predators stumbled out of the gate with a dismal 0-5-0 start and failed to make the playoffs. This time, they didn’t just win — they found a way to grind through adversity from the first puck drop.
Saros was sensational, turning aside 37 shots and frustrating Columbus at every turn. O’Reilly sealed the deal just 2:41 into the third period with a skillful power-play goal, taking a crisp feed from Filip Forsberg near the net and lifting a high backhand into the cage. “It wasn’t perfect,” O’Reilly admitted afterward. “They had stretches where we were pinned back, but we stayed with it. The energy on the bench, the communication — finding a way to win matters so much in setting the tone early.”
Michael Bunting ignited the scoring 6:45 into the first period when his initial shot was blocked but quickly recovered for a booming slap shot from the right face-off circle that found the net. Forsberg noted it wasn’t the cleanest game from either side, saying, “They were probably sharper for two periods, but in the third, we pushed hard and took control.”
Columbus wasn’t without their highlights. Dmitri Voronkov pulled off a slick one-handed redirection in the slot late in the first to tie the game, and goalie Jet Greaves kept the Blue Jackets in striking distance with 29 saves. Head coach Dean Evason praised his squad despite the loss: “A lot of positives… it’s hard to tell the guys ‘keep doing that’ after a defeat, but they played hard and they know it.”
The Blue Jackets even thought they had a go-ahead moment when Mathieu Olivier scored late in the second period, but Nashville successfully challenged for goaltender interference, wiping the goal from the record. Olivier took it in stride, saying, “We had chances, that’s what you want. Their goalie was great — now we take the positives into the next game.”
The night was notable for several debuts and reunions. Fifth-overall draft pick Brady Martin suited up for Nashville for the first time, logging 12:44 of ice time. Erik Haula, newly traded from the Devils, tallied an assist in his return to the Predators after four years. On the flip side, Columbus defenseman Dante Fabbro played his first game back in Nashville since being claimed off waivers last season — once a mainstay for the Preds, now lining up against them.
The win may only count for two points in the standings, but for Nashville, it could mean much more. It wasn’t just about beating Columbus — it was about proving they can start strong, fight through tough stretches, and win close games. But here’s a debate worth having: was this Predators win built more on grit and hustle, or simply elite goaltending from Saros? And for Columbus fans — do you see this as a missed opportunity or a promising sign for the season ahead?
