Predators Shut Out Panthers, Set Franchise Record with 16-Game Point Streak

The Nashville Predators made history yet again on Thursday, defeating the Florida Panthers 3-0 and extending their active point streak to 16 games (14-0-2) to establish a new franchise record .

Nashville has outscored opponents 68-29 over the 16-game stretch, which now includes a shutout win over a Panthers team currently tied for the third-most points in the NHL (94). Filip Forsberg led the Predators with three points (2 goals, 1 assist) to extend his goal streak to four games, and Gustav Nyquist added two points (1 goal, 1 assist) to set a new career high for points in a single season (62).

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"We played probably the best team in the league tonight," said Predators head coach Andrew Brunette , who was a Jack Adams finalist as interim head coach of the Panthers in 2022. "I thought we played our game. We stayed true to us, and we're building for this kind of success as we go forward."

Arguably the most impressive individual performance came from backup goaltender Kevin Lankinen, who earned his third career shutout — his first as a member of the Predators and his first since March 25, 2021, when he was in his rookie season with the Chicago Blackhawks.

"It's been a while, so it definitely feels good," Lankinen grinned . "I'll take it. I'm probably going to let it sink in because... it's been a while. Couldn't be happier right now. A lot of the credit goes to the boys in front of me just shutting them down and not giving up much, so shoutout to the whole team."

Lankinen has an exceptionally strong track record in big games on the road this season. Ten of his of 14 starts this season against current playoff teams, and nine of those 10 have been on the road. He has faced seven teams who have 90-plus points and beaten six of them. Still, he prefers to give the credit to his teammates playing in front of him.

"They did an excellent job," Lankinen said. "I was able to see every shot, and they cleared a lot of rebounds."

Lankinen has started in four of Nashville's 16 games during the franchise-record point streak, going 4-0 with a .925 save percentage and a 2.36 goals against average over that stretch.

"I'm so happy for him," Brunette said. "He's been great for us. We've put him in some really hard games on the road, and he's come through every time."

The Predators will look to extend their point streak to 17 games with a home matchup against the Detroit Red Wings on March 23 at Bridgestone Arena.