Predators Extend Point Streak to 17 Games: 'We're Building Something Special Here'

The Nashville Predators extended their franchise-record point streak to 17 games (15-0-2), the longest in the NHL this season , with a 1-0 win over the Detroit Red Wings on Saturday.

Filip Forsberg scored the Predators' lone goal to break a scoreless tie late in the third period, and Juuse Saros earned the Predators their second shutout in as many games and their fifth straight win. It was the 10th time in franchise history that Nashville recorded consecutive shutouts and the first since March 5-7, 2020.

"That was a great atmosphere," Predators head coach Andrew Brunette said after the game. "Coming into the rink today, the vibe and the weather outside, it felt like a playoff game . And on the ice, it didn't disappoint."

Nashville’s 17-game point streak is the 23rd longest in NHL history and the longest since the Carolina Hurricanes’ 17-game streak (15-0-2) from last season — but it hasn't come easily.

“They grinded it out,” Brunette said. “Everybody's taken on a little bit of load and it pretty much epitomizes our group here. We're all pulling the rope… [Saros] made some big saves and [Kevin Lankinen] was awesome last game. Our D-core did what it took tonight, blocking shots on hard plays, putting themselves out there when maybe we didn't have our A-game. But we were finding the ways.”

The game remained scoreless until the final minutes of regulation, but the Predators came through with yet another strong third period that saw them outshoot the Red Wings 12-5. Forsberg scored at 14:46 of the third period on a wrist shot from the right face-off circle. He had an earlier backhand attempt blocked by Jeff Petry but was able to gather the rebound and beat goaltender Alex Lyon glove-side.

“I think we just kind of take over as we go,” Forsberg said. “This one [had] two periods that weren’t necessarily the greatest, but we know what we can do. We work hard; training camp and everything has been hard, and I do want to give that some credit. We're in good shape. We all come out, ready to go in the third. And obviously, that was by far our best period.”

Forsberg extended his goal streak to five games and sits one contest shy of matching the franchise record – a mark he matched in 2014-15 and shares with J-P Dumont (6 GP in 2007-08), Alexander Radulov (6 GP in 2007-08), Patric Hornqvist (6 GP in 2011-12) and James Neal (6 GP in 2016-17).

“We're playing tight,” Predators defenseman Tyson Barrie said. “Our forwards are tracking back super hard, our D allows us to have good gaps and good sticks, and then our willingness to block shots and get in lanes. But then obviously, the backbone of our team is two unbelievable goaltenders, who have shown kind of what they're all about the last two games. And it's not surprising for us to see back-to-back shutouts from [Saros and Lankinen].”

With the win, the Predators also extended their shutout streak to 154:14 dating to March 19. It marks the fifth-longest sequence in franchise history behind 233:39 from March 22-30, 2008, 181:07 from March 3-10, 2020, 163:04 from Dec. 13-19, 2017 and 155:06 from Feb. 10-16, 2013.

"At the end of the game, we're giving our bodies up," Brunette said. "Everybody is diving for pucks. We weren't going to let one in. I think it was a feeling from the bench that [the puck] wasn't going to go in tonight because we were willing it."

The Red Wings put forth a spirited effort in the low-scoring, yet highly physical, affair, which also featured Forsberg's first fighting major in four years when he dropped the gloves with Detroit defenseman Moritz Seider in the second period.

“I give credit to Detroit," Brunette said. “They played hard, they were fast, and they were in our face a little bit. I think we've been on a stretch for a long time where we've given everything we've had, and I think we ran out a little bit of gas both physically and emotionally over the stretch... The proudest [I’ve been] of the group during the stretch is that we're able to find it in the third period and get to our identity."

Saros made 22 saves in his third shutout of the season for Nashville, who had 13 blocked shots and went 3-for-3 on the penalty kill in the win. The Predators haven't lost a game in regulation since a 9-2 loss to the Dallas Stars on Feb. 15 and are now just five points back of the Winnipeg Jets for third place in the Central Division.

"It’s fun to be a part of this," Saros said. "It just starts every day with keeping that same focus and not taking nights off. It’s been great. I feel like we’re building something special here.”