Filip Forsberg found the net with just over five minutes left in the third period, and Juuse Saros blocked 22 shots to guide the Nashville Predators to a 1-0 win over the Detroit Red Wings on Saturday. This victory extends Nashville’s unbeaten streak to 17 games, with a record of 15 wins and 2 ties.
Nashville currently holds a strong position in the top wild-card spot of the Western Conference, boasting 88 points. “We’re managing to secure wins in various ways,” remarked Nashville coach Andrew Brunette. “While this game wasn’t our best performance, we were able to step up in the third period.”
Alex Lyon made 31 saves for Detroit, but the team’s two-game winning streak came to an end. “Credit goes to Saros, as he stole the game for them,” commented Detroit coach Derek Lalonde.
As the clock wound down in the third period, Forsberg capitalized on a scramble in the Detroit zone, firing a wrist shot from the right circle past Lyon’s glove side. This marked Forsberg’s sixth goal in the past five games.
Forsberg also engaged in a physical confrontation with Detroit’s Moritz Seider early in the second period.
“It was a game filled with emotions,” Seider remarked. Saros made a crucial save midway through the second period, blocking a one-timer from the low slot by Joe Veleno during a power play for the Red Wings.
“We’re all committed to playing our style of hockey, and it feels like we’re building something special here,” Saros stated.
This shutout marks Saros’ third of the season and his 23rd career shutout. Nashville has now won back-to-back games without conceding a goal, following Thursday’s 3-0 victory over Florida.
Heading into Saturday’s game, the Red Wings held a one-point lead over the Washington Capitals for the second wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference. However, Detroit has played two more games than the Capitals, who had no game on Saturday.
