Predators face make-or-break stretch in tight NHL playoff race
The Nashville Predators are gearing up for a crucial stretch in their 2025-26 season. With 25 games remaining and the NHL Trade Deadline approaching on March 6, the team is looking to secure a playoff spot. Coach Andrew Brunette used the Olympic break to rest and refine the squad's performance before play resumes on February 25.
The NHL paused its season for the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games, giving Brunette and his players a week-long break. Key Predators—Roman Josi, Juuse Saros, Filip Forsberg, and Erik Haula—represented their countries in the tournament and will soon return to the lineup.
The team enters the break with a mixed record, losing six of their last nine games but earning points in three of those defeats. Their next match is on February 23 against the Chicago Blackhawks, followed by games against Dallas, Detroit, Columbus, and Boston within eight days.
March will be particularly demanding, with 15 games in 31 days, including three back-to-back home-and-road series. The Predators will also face each of the four Wild Card contenders—Utah, Los Angeles, Anaheim, and San Jose—at least once before the season ends. These matchups offer a chance to gain crucial points in the standings.
Currently four points out of a Wild Card spot, the team aims to build on their strong performance from the past two months. Brunette plans to use the week of practice to address specific weaknesses before the season restarts.
The Predators now face a packed schedule as they push for a playoff position. With key players returning from the Olympics and a series of high-stakes games ahead, the team will rely on improved form to close the gap. Their performance in the coming weeks will determine whether they secure a postseason berth.
