Big wins and big accomplishments have been hard to come by for the Predators this season.
But Nashville recorded one of each in Tuesday’s 5-3 victory over the Vegas Golden Knights at Bridgestone Arena.
The outcome marked the 1,000th win in the history of the franchise, which began play during the 1998-99 season. Nashville became the 27th NHL franchise to reach 1,000 wins, and the Predators did so in 2,020 games, second fastest in league history behind the Philadelphia Flyers (2,018 games).
The victory also happened to come against a Vegas team that has the second-most wins (29) and points (61) in the Western Conference.
“Anytime you can be part of something cool like that, it’s special,” said Predators forward Steven Stamkos, in his first year with the team. “I know this franchise and the fan base, and they come out and support us through thick and thin. Obviously, I just got here, but the fanbase has been good in a year that hasn’t been great. So, if anything, it was nice to get [the 1,000th win] in front of them. They deserve that for sure.”
It was a full-circle moment for Predators coach Andrew Brunette, a member of Nashville’s original expansion team, who scored the first goal in franchise history on Oct. 13, 1998.
“It’s really amazing actually, to be a part of two different big events in different ways,” Brunette told reporters. “I’ve been really grateful for my career to be able to do certain things. That definitely is one. You go through this hockey life that I’ve gone through and sometimes you look back … To be part of that is really special.”
It was just the 14th win in 43 games this season for the Preds (14-22-7), but Nashville dominated the first 29 minutes against a Vegas team battling for the league’s best record. The Predators outshot the Golden Knights 18-2 during that stretch and ran up a 4-0 lead before the game’s midpoint.
One reason the team seemed to have some extra zip was that the contest marked the first time Preds forward Jonathan Marchessault was playing against his old team. Marchessault spent seven years with the Golden Knights, winning a Stanley Cup last season.
Marchessault recorded an assist, and along with Stamkos and Filip Forsberg, was part of a line that totaled three goals and three assists. Stamkos recorded two goals and an assist, with Forsberg adding a goal and an assist.
“I think a lot of guys were excited for [Marchessault], excited to try to play their best game,” Brunette said. “I think that helped us get some energy early. You want to put a good show on for him. I know how much it means to him … I think they wanted [Marchessault] to get a win tonight.”
It was a memorable victory not only for Marchessault, but the entire franchise.
“Maybe that’s something we can build off,” Marchessault said. “We want to start a streak. We want to start piling up some wins. You do that against one of the best teams in the league, I think that’s something really positive.”