Event Preview
Overview
The Nashville Predators are set to host the Chicago Blackhawks at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee, on Thursday, February 26, 2026, at 8:00 PM EST. This Central Division matchup is crucial for both teams as they vie for positioning in the playoff race. The Predators currently hold a 26-24-7 record, while the Blackhawks are at 22-26-9. A win for either team could provide a significant boost in their pursuit of a postseason berth.
Season Snapshot
Nashville Predators
The Predators have a 26-24-7 record, placing them in the middle of the Central Division standings. They've shown resilience, especially at home with a 15-12-3 record. Their offense averages 2.91 goals per game, ranking 21st in the league, while their defense allows 3.47 goals per game, placing them 30th. Special teams have been a mixed bag, with a power-play conversion rate of 21.76% and a penalty kill efficiency of 80.0%.
Chicago Blackhawks
The Blackhawks have a 22-26-9 record, also positioning them in the middle of the Central Division. Their away performance stands at 10-12-4. Offensively, they average 2.65 goals per game (26th in the league) and concede 3.16 goals per game (21st). Their power play operates at 19.1%, and their penalty kill is at 85.7%.
Recent Form
Nashville Predators
In their last ten games, the Predators have a 3-4-3 record, averaging 3.3 goals per game and allowing 4.2 goals per game. Notably, they have a 20-6-2 record when scoring at least three goals in a game. Their recent games have been high-scoring affairs, including a 6-5 overtime win against the St. Louis Blues on February 2.
Chicago Blackhawks
The Blackhawks have a 3-5-2 record in their last ten games, averaging 2.2 goals per game and allowing 3.1 goals per game. Their most recent game was a 4-0 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets on February 4. They've struggled to find consistency, with their last win being a 6-3 victory over the San Jose Sharks on February 2.
Talking Points
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Playoff Implications: Both teams are in the hunt for a playoff spot, making this game pivotal for their postseason aspirations.
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Home Advantage: The Predators have a stronger home record, which could play a crucial role in this matchup.
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Offensive Struggles: Both teams have had issues with scoring, ranking 21st and 26th in goals per game, respectively.
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Special Teams Performance: The Blackhawks' penalty kill is notably strong, which could be a key factor against the Predators' power play.
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Recent Encounters: The Blackhawks have had the upper hand in recent matchups, including a 6-2 victory over the Predators on February 7, 2025.
Players to Watch
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Steven Stamkos (Predators): With 28 goals and 16 assists, Stamkos is a key offensive contributor for Nashville.
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Filip Forsberg (Predators): Over the past ten games, Forsberg has tallied seven goals and five assists, showcasing his scoring touch.
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Tyler Bertuzzi (Blackhawks): Leading the team with 25 goals and 17 assists, Bertuzzi is a constant threat on the ice.
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Connor Bedard (Blackhawks): With 23 goals and 30 assists, Bedard's playmaking abilities are central to Chicago's offense.
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Ilya Mikheyev (Blackhawks): In the last ten games, Mikheyev has contributed three goals and six assists, adding depth to the Blackhawks' lineup.
Key Matchups & Storylines
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Stamkos vs. Blackhawks' Defense: Stamkos' goal-scoring prowess will be tested against Chicago's defense, which has allowed 3.16 goals per game.
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Forsberg's Impact: Forsberg's recent form could be pivotal in breaking through the Blackhawks' penalty kill, which operates at 85.7%.
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Bertuzzi vs. Predators' Goaltending: Bertuzzi's offensive output will challenge the Predators' goaltending, which has a goals-against average of 3.47.
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Special Teams Battle: The Predators' power play (21.76%) faces off against the Blackhawks' penalty kill (85.7%), a potential game-deciding factor.
Fun Facts
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The Predators have a 16-game point streak against the Blackhawks from January 9, 2020, to March 4, 2023, with a record of 13-0-3. (nhl.com)
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Gustav Nyquist has tallied 26 points (12 goals, 14 assists) in 29 career games against the Blackhawks, the most points against any single franchise in his career. (nhl.com)
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The Predators have earned at least a point in 29 of their last 33 games against the Blackhawks (25-4-4), holding Chicago to two or fewer goals 28 times in that span. (nhl.com)
Things to Chirp About
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"Can the Predators' home advantage propel them past the Blackhawks tonight?"
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"Will Forsberg continue his hot streak and lead Nashville to a crucial win?"
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"How will the Blackhawks' penalty kill handle the Predators' power play?"
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"Is Stamkos the key to breaking the Blackhawks' defense?"
Prediction
This game is expected to be closely contested, with both teams battling for vital points. The Predators' home advantage and recent form may give them a slight edge, but the Blackhawks' strong penalty kill could neutralize Nashville's power play. Overall, the matchup is poised to be a tight and competitive affair.