Every time the Predators turn around, they face the biggest game of their season.
That was the case for Nashville in its last two games, and it will be the situation once again Monday night when the Predators (36-31-9) visit the Los Angeles Kings (31-26-19).
The two teams each enter the contest with 81 points, though the Predators hold the tiebreaker — and the Western Conference’s second wildcard playoff spot—because they have more regulation wins than the Kings.
The Preds and Kings each have six regular season games left, with Nashville seeking to return to the postseason after missing out in 2024-25. The Predators haven’t missed the playoffs in back-to-back seasons since 2012-13 and 2013-14.
If it sounds like Monday’s game will feature a pressure-filled environment, the Predators should be used to it by now.
Just last Thursday, Nashville began its game against the Kings with 77 points, one point behind Los Angeles, which held the conference’s final playoff position.
The Preds blew leads of 3-0 and 4-1 in that contest, but still managed to recover in time to secure a 5-4 shootout victory when Luke Evangelista notched the shootout’s only goal in the eighth round.
That win allowed the Preds to leapfrog the Kings in the standings, due to a tiebreaker.
Two night later, however, it was the all-important game of the season once again when Nashville visited San Jose. The Sharks, Predators and Kings each had 79 points at the time, with San Jose holding the tiebreaker edge because of one fewer game played.
The Preds used the same formula to record another crucial win, blowing a 3-0 lead before rebounding for a 6-3 victory that — once again — allowed Nashville to move into the final wildcard spot.
“I think just the resiliency that we’ve shown — obviously we prefer not to give up a three-goal lead and have to fight back to win. But when we have to, we’ve been able to do that a few times,” Preds forward Filip Forsberg told reporters. “It shows a lot of strength in the group.”
Forsberg had four points (three goals and an assist) in Nashville’s last two wins, while forward Ryan O’Reilly (one goal, two assists), forward Jonathan Marchessault (one goal, two assists) and forward Tyson Jost (one goal, two assists) each registered three points. Steven Stamkos added a pair of goals.
Goalie Juuse Saros surrendered some soft goals while turning away 53-of-60 shots (.883 save percentage) in the two vital victories. But he shined in the shootout against L.A., slamming the door eight straight times on Kings shooters.
The Predators will be looking for their second win in five days against the Kings on Monday, a victory that would allow Nashville to remain in the second wildcard position.
But the Preds (81 points) better not look in the rearview mirror, as Los Angeles (81 points), San Jose (79 points, one fewer game played), Winnipeg (78 points), St. Louis (76 points) and Seattle (75 points) are eager to pass.
Sounds like Monday’s game is … the most important of the season.
“I think we knew this trip was going to be a really important one, obviously playing pretty much every team on this trip is somebody we’re trying to chase,” Forsberg said. “Taking care of business so far, but another massive match again [Monday], and just really all we can focus on is that next one.”