Nashville Predators forwards Filip Forsberg (left) and Steven Stamkos (right) embrace after a goal against the San Jose Sharks on March 24, 2026 at Bridgestone Arena. JOHN RUSSELL/NASHVILLE PREDATORS

There’s not much pressure on the Nashville Predators these days.

Sure, they’re in the midst of the Western Conference wild card race, and each of their 11 remaining games are meaningful.

But after performing like one of the NHL’s worst teams for the first two months of the season, the Predators (34-28-9) now seem to be benefiting from playing with house money.

“We’re not supposed to be here, so we’re just going to keep plugging away and being us,” Predators coach Andrew Brunette said Tuesday. “I think we stuck together all year. I’ve probably never been with a group that’s been tighter or more committed to being together, doing it together and understanding where we are.”

Nashville extended its season-best win streak to five games with a 6-3 drubbing of the San Jose Sharks, another wild-card hopeful, Tuesday night at Bridgestone Arena. The Predators tied a franchise record by scoring five goals in the first period for the first time since 2009.

The win helped Nashville (77 points) inch closer to the Utah Mammoth (80) for the conference’s top wild card spot. Utah fell 5-2 to the Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday.

This reality looked implausible just three weeks ago when general manager Barry Trotz traded defenseman Nick Blankenburg and forwards Michael Bunting, Michael McCarron and Cole Smith before the deadline.

Instead of fading away, the Predators have improved. The team is 7-2-1 and averaging 3.6 goals for while allowing just 2.3 per game since McCarron and Smith were dealt under awkward circumstances during a 3-2 loss at the Columbus Blue Jackets on March 3.

“I think each and every one of us in this (locker) room thought we’d be here, and I think that’s really all that matters,” left wing Filip Forsberg said. “I think whatever’s going on outside this room is out of our control. Since the trade deadline, I think everyone’s been bought in. Results are going to happen like that.”

Nashville filled its open roster spots with youth from the American Hockey League as part of Trotz’s push to make the lineup younger. They joined rookie forward Matthew Wood, who’s erupted for six goals since moving to center earlier this month.

“I feel like it’s not about pressure right now on us,” 22-year-old center Fedor Svechkov said. “It’s about fun … for us (young players), it’s pure joy that we are playing for something and we can reach a goal in the best league in the world. It’s so much fun.”

The veterans are still doing the heavy lifting, though.

Against San Jose, the Predators had six different goal scorers – Forsberg, Wood, Roman Josi, Luke Evangelista, Brady Skjei and Steven Stamkos. Forsberg (15 points) and Stamkos (10) have led the offensive charge over the last 10 games.

“I think we’re playing our best hockey right now,” Skjei said. “There’s definitely a confidence in the room, confidence in the guys. And obviously it’s happening at a great time at the end of the year. We’re going to try to keep building on that heading into the playoffs.”

Brunette sees a clear distinction between this team and the 2024-25 version that wound up with the No. 5 overall pick in last summer’s draft. This year’s group managed to bounce back from a forgettable start.

It’s why these Predators, against all odds, remain in the hunt.

“When the waters got a little rough early in the year, we dug in even deeper and we stayed with it,” Brunette said. “We didn’t abandon ship – a little bit different from the year before. I think we stuck together and became tighter than ever and gave ourselves an opportunity to find some clearer water.”

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