Gina: We missed the mark. We predicted a 4-2 win in our last episode, and instead, we’re left staring at a 3-2 shootout loss to the Ottawa Senators. But here is the thing about this team—they are 2-1-2 overall, sitting fourth in the Central Division, and they just acquired Jayden Struble on Friday night to bolster that blue line. That trade is fresh, the injuries are mounting, and now we have to look ahead to hosting the Vegas Golden Knights on Sunday. I’m Gina, and this is the Beatline Predators reaction show.
Wes: It’s Wes. And yeah, it stings. You talk about shooting pucks on net and getting traffic in front of Justus Saros, and you expect results. Instead, Shane Pinto wins it in the shootout for Ottawa. Tim Stutzle had two points for them, and while Ross Colton scored for us, and Jonathan Marchessault added a point, the special teams and defensive zone coverage simply didn't hold up when it mattered most. We need to dissect what went wrong in that third period before we even think about Vegas.
Gina: So let’s get into it. In Segment One, we’re reacting to the final score, looking at why the offense couldn’t close out the game against Ottawa. Then in Segment Two, Wes is going to break down the defensive breakdowns and the goaltending metrics that led to this result. And finally, we’ll pivot to the road ahead—how does the addition of Jayden Struble change the lineup for Sunday’s matchup with Vegas? Stick with us.
Gina: Okay, Wes, let’s start with the scoreboard. It’s 3-2 Ottawa. We talked about redemption after that gritty 5-2 comeback over Montreal where Adam Edstrom was lighting it up. Here, Edstrom didn’t have those two goals. The offense felt stagnant in the neutral zone. What did you see from the top line?
Wes: I saw a lot of hesitation. Filip Forsberg is always going to be a threat, but tonight, the entry game was poor. You’re seeing a lot of dump-and-chase because the speed of Ottawa’s forecheck was overwhelming. When you don’t have clean zone entries, you force your players to make plays outside their structure. Ross Colton got his goal—that’s a hard-net-front type of finish—but after that, the puck movement stopped. It became iso-hockey.
Gina: And that’s frustrating because we know Steven Stamkos is on this roster. Did he feel involved?
Wes: He was there, but he wasn’t driving the play. He’s used to having more time and space with the power play, but even at five-on-five, the pressure was constant. I noticed Alexander Kerfoot was the only one with an assist for Nashville. He’s trying to facilitate, but without help from the wings, it’s a tough ask. Jonathan Marchessault got a point, sure, but points don’t always reflect control of the game.
Gina: Right. And then we get to the shootout. Shane Pinto wins it. It feels like a moral victory if you want to spin it, but in the standings, it’s a split point at best, or just a loss depending on how you count overtime losses. How do you evaluate the decision-making leading up to that?
Wes: You evaluate it by looking at the shot selection in the final minute of regulation. We had chances. We had traffic. But we didn’t crash the crease enough to force Justus Annunen, Ottawa’s goalie, to make a scramble save. Once it goes to the shootout, it’s luck and skill, but you shouldn’t rely on that skill if you’ve already blown a lead in regulation due to lack of net-front presence. Ross Colton is great at that, but he needs support.
Gina: Support. That word keeps coming up. Ryan O’Reilly was supposed to be a clutch performer here—we predicted he’d score again. Did he deliver?
Wes: He didn’t register a point on the board, which is unusual for him. He’s a two-way center; he might have been buried in defensive zone starts because the coaching staff was trying to shut down Tim Stutzle. If O’Reilly is being pulled out of the offensive cycle to kill penalties or check lines, then yes, the offensive output drops. It’s a strategic sacrifice that didn’t pay off tonight because the defense gave up too many high-danger chances elsewhere.
Gina: So, the offense was efficient in moments but unsustainable in volume. That’s the headline for tonight. A single goal from Colton isn’t enough against a team as dynamic as Ottawa. Let’s shift gears. Wes, take me inside the locker room—or rather, the analytics sheet. What happened defensively?
Wes: The defensive zone coverage was porous. Specifically, the neutral-zone trap didn’t work. Ottawa’s wingers were slipping through seams easily. And with Cameron Crotty listed as Out and Jake Sanderson also Out for Ottawa, you might think their D-corps would be weak, but no—their remaining guys were disciplined. For Nashville, we saw too many odd-man rushes. Nicolas Hague and Brady Skjei were working hard, but they lacked backup.
Gina: Backup? Isn’t Roman Josi playing? He’s the anchor.
Wes: Josi is anchoring, but he can’t cover for everyone. When the forwards don’t backcheck, Josi has to gap up. And when he gaps up, there’s a hole behind him. We saw that on the second goal for Ottawa. A turnover in the neutral zone led to a rush, Josi had to retreat, and the lane opened up. It’s a systemic issue, not just individual error. And Juuse Saros? He made the saves he could, but he faced a high volume of shots from prime real estate.
Gina: High danger area. That’s the killer. And what about the penalty kill? Did we kill anything significant tonight?
Wes: Actually, the penalty kill held up better than expected, but the power play was non-existent. We didn’t generate any sustained pressure. No one was cycling effectively. It’s hard to score when you can’t even keep the puck in the zone. And with the injuries to Artem Zub and Kurtis MacDermid on Ottawa, they were desperate. We should have exploited that. We didn’t. That’s on the coaching staff’s setup and the players’ execution.
Gina: It’s a harsh reality check. We came in feeling good after Montreal, but Ottawa exposed the cracks. Now, there’s some news breaking about the roster. Jayden Struble was acquired from Montreal for a second-round pick in 2027. Does that change your view on the defensive side moving forward?
Wes: Absolutely. Struble is a 25-year-old defenseman. He brings size and experience. Given that we’re dealing with injury issues on the backend—Mavrik Bourque is Out, and we have guys on IR like William Eklund and Justus Annunen—Struble provides depth. He might not be an immediate star, but he stabilizes the third pairing. That allows Josi and Hague to focus on higher-leverage situations. It’s a smart move by the front office to address the very weakness we just discussed.
Gina: Stabilize the backend. I like that. Because right now, with Crotty and Sanderson out for Ottawa, and our own injury list growing, every shift matters. This team is resilient, but resilience doesn’t win shootout games. Discipline does. And strategy does. Before we look ahead to Vegas, I want to pause for a second. This show comes out every single day, covering every angle, every injury update, every trade rumor. It takes a massive amount of work to keep this content free and daily for you fans. A small handful of supporters makes that possible. If you love following the Preds this closely, please consider chipping in via the link in the episode description. Your support keeps the beatline running strong.
Wes: Thank you for that. And speaking of keeping things running, let’s talk about Sunday. Vegas Golden Knights at Nashville. It’s a home game for us. We’re 2-1-2, fourth in the Central. Vegas is always a physical team. They bring heavy forechecking. How do we prepare for them after this Ottawa letdown?
Gina: We bounce back. Period. But tactically, Wes, what’s the key? Do we adjust the lines? Do we give Filip Forsberg more ice time to try and find his rhythm again?
Wes: I think you stick with the structure. Don’t panic. Vegas respects speed and discipline. If we go chaotic, they will punish us. We need to win the face-offs. Ryan O’Reilly is crucial here. Even if he’s not scoring, his possession stats need to be high. He needs to win battles along the boards so we can enter the zone cleanly. And Nils Hoglander? He’s young, but he’s fast. If we use his speed to counter Vegas’s physicality, we might find some open lanes.
Gina: Speed vs. Physicality. That’s the battle. And what about the goaltending duel? Matt Murray is on the roster, but Juuse Saros is the starter. Do you trust Saros to silence the Vegas crowd?
Wes: I trust Saros, but he needs a wall in front of him. If we clear rebounds—if we box out properly—he’s elite. Vegas generates a lot of second-chance opportunities. So, the defensive corps, including new acquisition Jayden Struble, needs to be aggressive in clearing the crease. No lingering. Clear the house. If we do that, Saros gives us a chance to win. If we don’t, we’re in trouble.
Gina: Clear the house. Simple instructions, hard to execute. But that’s hockey. We learn from Ottawa, we add Struble, and we head home to face Vegas. It’s a big test, but with the record standing at 2-1-2, we’re still in the hunt. Fourth in the Central is a solid spot to be early on. What’s your prediction for Vegas?
Wes: I predict a tight game. Vegas is dangerous, but Nashville is at home and has momentum from the Montreal win, even if Ottawa dampened it slightly. I’ll take Nashville 3-2. A gritty win. Filip Forsberg gets one, Ross Colton adds another, and maybe Jack Drury chips in somewhere in the middle. We defend well, we capitalize on the power play, and we take the two points.
Gina: A gritty 3-2 win. I’ll go with that. We respect the opponent, we use the new pieces, and we grind it out. That’s what this team is built for. Thank you for listening to today’s reaction to the Ottawa loss and the preview of the Vegas showdown.
Wes: Remember, folks, hockey is a game of adjustments. We adjust, we improve, and we keep pushing. Check the injury report before Sunday, especially regarding the blue line. Stay tuned to Beatline for all the updates.
Gina: If you enjoyed this deep dive, please subscribe, rate, and review us on your favorite podcast app. It helps more Preds fans find the show. Share this episode with a friend who needs to hear about Jayden Struble. Until next time, keep your sticks on ice and your heads in the game. Go Preds!