Gina: We lost. We went down to Tampa Bay yesterday, one-nil on the night, and frankly, it stings. But you know what? The rebound is already scheduled for Thursday night. Right here in Nashville. And we are not just talking about getting back to .500—we are talking about fixing the specific breakdowns that let Conor Geekie and company slip past us last time out.
Wes: It was a tough one. The structure from Tampa was rigid, and when you miss those early zone entries, you leave yourself exposed. But this is preseason, remember? It’s about finding fixes before the regular season clock starts ticking. We’ve got answers for tonight.
Gina: Welcome to the Beatline Podcast Network! I’m Gina. I’m joined by my partner in crime, the tactical genius Wes. Today is September 21st, 2026. If you’re listening, welcome home, Preds fans. We have three things for you today: first, a deep dive into why that loss to Tampa hurts but isn’t fatal; second, breaking down the new line combinations with Mavrik Bourque and Filip Forsberg trying to find their rhythm again; and third, looking at the injury report and what Dominic James being out means for our depth.
Wes: And don't forget, we’re going to look at how Steven Stamkos and Jonathan Marchessault are handling the transition game against that same structured defensive system. It’s a lot to unpack, so let’s get right into it.
Gina: Before we go live to Segment One, quick pause. If these daily breakdowns help you get through your commute or wake you up in the morning, consider supporting the show. A small tip keeps us free and daily. Check the link in the episode description.
Gina: Okay, let’s talk about the elephant in the room. Yesterday, we predicted a 3-2 win for Nashville. Instead, it ended 2-1 Tampa. That’s a hard pill to swallow, especially when we felt like we had the playmaking edge with Reid Schaefer and Brady Martin lighting it up offensively. What did you see in that final period?
Wes: I saw a team that got out of its own head. You had John Carlson on the blue line for Tampa, shutting down the high-danger areas. When you lose the puck in the neutral zone, they counter. Brady Martin scored, which was huge—he was the leading scorer for us yesterday—but we couldn’t sustain pressure. We got stretched.
Gina: Right, and it’s frustrating because we knew this matchup was coming. In our previews on the 18th and 19th, we talked about Tampa’s structured defense. Did they execute better than expected, or were we just rusty?
Wes: Both. A little rust, sure. But mostly, Tampa’s forecheck was suffocating. They weren’t letting Mavrik Bourque breathe on that top line with Filip Forsberg. Every time Bourque tried to carry it in, there was a stick in his lane. That’s a coaching adjustment, not just player error. They knew where he liked to receive passes.
Gina: So, if they know where Bourque likes to receive, what do we do differently tonight? Because this is a rematch. Same opponent, different result expected.
Wes: You change the entry. Less dump-and-chase into traffic, more skill-based entries using the perimeter. Ross Colton and Jack Drury need to be sharper in the cycle game. If you can’t beat them over the middle, you have to go wide and use the boards to flip it back. It’s basic hockey, but it’s easy to forget under pressure.
Gina: That makes sense. It’s about patience. Waiting for the opening rather than forcing it. And what about the goaltending? We had Juuse Saros in net. He played well, but even great goalies can’t stop a 2-1 game if the defense is giving up those odd-man rushes.
Wes: Exactly. Saros made the saves he needed to. The issue wasn’t him; it was the support in front of him. When you give up quality chances from the slot, you’re asking too much of your goalie. Tonight, the defensive pairings need to be tighter. No gaps between the lines.
Gina: Tight gaps. Got it. So, fix the neutral-zone play, protect the slot, and let’s hope the offense clicks. Let’s move on to the lineup changes. We’ve been talking about Mavrik Bourque all week. How did he look yesterday, really?
Wes: He looked hungry. But hungry isn’t enough yet. He had some great shifts, trying to drive the net. But he also turned it over a few times in critical spots. It’s a learning curve. Integrating him with Forsberg takes time. They’re still figuring out each other’s tendencies.
Gina: So, patience is key for Bourque too. Not just the coaches, but for him. He needs to trust the system. And what about the rest of the forwards? Did anyone else stand out besides Brady Martin?
Wes: Reid Schaefer had an assist. He’s playing a smart, two-way game. He’s not flashy, but he’s reliable. In a tight game like that, you need guys like Schaefer who won’t make stupid mistakes. Martin scored, which is nice, but Schaefer kept the line moving.
Gina: Reliable Reid. I like that. Okay, so we have the game plan, we have the mindset. Now let’s talk about who is actually on the ice. We have some news on the injury front.
Wes: Yeah, the injury report is tricky. Dominic James is listed as Out. That’s a blow to our bottom six. He’s a gritty forward who brings energy. Without him, we need someone else to fill that role.
Gina: Who steps up? Do we call someone up from the minors, or do we shuffle the existing roster? Who are we looking at for that fourth-line spot?
Wes: Likely a shuffle. Look at Ty Jost or Jake Lucchini. They’re veterans who can handle minutes. Also, keep an eye on Adam Edstrom. He’s big, he’s physical. If James is out, you need size to match up against Tampa’s heavy forecheck.
Gina: Edstrom for the physical presence. I like that idea. He’s got the frame to disrupt their cycles. And what about Yanni Gourde? Is he out too?
Wes: Yes, Gourde is also Out. Wait, that’s Tampa. Sorry, wrong team. Yanni Gourde is on Tampa. For Nashville, it’s just Dominic James. My bad. But yes, Gourde being out helps us defensively against their power play. Fewer bodies in the slot for them.
Gina: Ha! Okay, good catch. So, no Gourde for Tampa is a plus for us. Back to Nashville—Dominic James out. Does that mean we see more time from Teddy Stiga or maybe even Oasiz Wiesblatt? Those are the younger guys who might get a push.
Wes: Possible. Stiga has speed. If we need to chase a game or create chaos, he’s a guy. But I think they’ll stick with the experienced hands first. Jost and Lucchini are safer bets for stability. We don’t want to experiment too much with defensive responsibilities right now.
Gina: Stability over experimentation. Makes sense. This is a preview of a crucial game, not a talent showcase. We need points, not experiments. Now, let’s talk lines. We’ve seen Ross Colton and Alexander Kerfoot together. How is that working?
Wes: It’s solid. Colton is a relentless worker. Kerfoot is a passer. Together, they create a balanced threat. They can score, but they also kill penalties and play strong defense. That’s exactly what you want in a middle-six unit.
Gina: Balanced. Good. And what about the top line? Forsberg, Bourque, and... who are they running with? Ryan O'Reilly? Or is it Stamkos?
Wes: Yesterday, it was Forsberg, Bourque, and... actually, looking at the stats, it seemed like they were mixing it up. But generally, O'Reilly provides that elite face-off and possession game. He anchors the line. Stamkos is more of a sniper. Depending on the matchup, they’ll swap.
Gina: So, flexibility. That’s the key. Adapting to the opponent. If Tampa plays heavy, put O’Reilly out there to win the dots and control the pace. If they play fast, put Stamkos out there to exploit the space. Smart coaching.
Wes: Exactly. And don’t forget the defensemen. Justin Barron and Roman Josi. We talked about them in previous episodes. Barron needs to be aggressive on the rush. Josi needs to stay calm and distribute.
Gina: Barron’s speed is a weapon. If he can join the attack without leaving us exposed, it creates a numbers game. But he has to read the ice perfectly. One mistake and it’s a breakaway. High risk, high reward.
Wes: High risk, definitely. But if he executes, it opens up lanes for Forsberg. It’s a synergy thing. When Barron moves, everyone else has to adjust. That’s the chemistry we’re trying to build.
Gina: Chemistry. Building it one shift at a time. Okay, we’ve covered the injuries, the lines, the defense. Now, let’s get to the bold prediction. This is Segment Three. Keys to the game and one wild guess.
Wes: Key to the game: Special teams. Tampa is dangerous on the power play. If we can kill theirs and convert our own, we win. Simple as that. Our penalty kill has been shaky. We need to tighten it up.
Gina: Shaky PK. Yeah, that’s a concern. So, blocking shots, clearing rebounds, communication. No easy looks for Geekie and Mikheyev. They had points yesterday. We can’t let them have the same day.
Wes: Agreed. Block the lane. Force them to the outside. Make them work for every inch. And on offense, capitalize on the turnovers. Tampa turns it over when they’re frustrated. Be ready to pounce.
Gina: Pounce on the mistakes. Love it. Okay, Wes. Bold prediction time. Last time, we said 3-2 Nashville. We were wrong. This time, what’s the score? And who scores the winner?
Wes: I’m sticking with the win. We learned from the mistakes. The adjustments will show. I’m saying Nashville wins 4-2. And the game-winner? Brady Martin. He’s hot. He scored yesterday. He’s going to finish this one.
Gina: Brady Martin with the winner! Four-two victory. I’m buying it. Why? Because the energy in the building will be different. They know they lost. They’re hungry. And Martin is the guy to lead the charge.
Wes: It’s about momentum. Once they get that first goal, the confidence comes back. And once the confidence is there, the skills take over. Martin has the skill. He just needed a reminder.
Gina: A reminder written in goals. Okay, folks, that wraps up our analysis. We’ve got the keys: special teams, tight defense, and Brady Martin on fire. Can the Predators bounce back against their rivals? Tune in Thursday night and find out.
Wes: We’ll be here to break it all down after the puck drops. Don’t miss it. Go Preds!
Gina: Thanks for listening to the Beatline Podcast Network! If you enjoyed this preview, please subscribe, rate, and review wherever you listen. Share this episode with a fellow Preds fan. Until next time, keep your sticks on ice!