Following their impressive 2-1 win over the Dallas Stars, the Nashville Predators jumped out to a 3-0 lead over the Toronto Maple Leafs on Oct. 6.
A goal by Steven Stamkos and two goals by Nils Höglander had the Predators in complete control of the Leafs at Scotiabank Arena.
Then the mistakes started.
Penalties, missed defensive assignments, and several neutral zone turnovers quickly flipped momentum to the Maple Leafs. Toronto eventually tied the game 4-4 in the third period, then won it on an Auston Matthews goal in overtime.
That's been the story of the Predators (1-1-1, 3 points) so far this season. They have moments where they look like a good hockey team. Then they have moments where they look lost.
Here's three things we've learned about Nashville
through three games.
The Predators have a more balanced attack
Last season, most of the Predators' offense went through the top line with Ryan O'Reilly, Filip Forsberg, and Steven Stamkos: Those three accounted for 107 of Nashville's 242 goals scored in 2025-26.
This season, there seems to be more balance. O'Reilly and Stamkos are back together, paired with winger Alex Kerfoot. Forsberg is with second-year center Matthew Wood and Höglander. Those two lines have created offense in all three games so far, and they're doing it by flooding the middle of the ice with shots. That's a good sign.
They do need more from Mavrik Bourque, their biggest summer acquisition. He notched his first point, an assist, in the Toronto loss.
Nashville's defense is a mess and that might not change
The Predators' defense is their weakness. Roman Josi, 36, is the team's best defenseman and he's had little help from Brady Skjei, Nicolas Hague, Adam Wilsby, and Nick Perbix. Ryan Ufko, who had a great training camp, played in the home opener and was immediately sent back to Milwaukee. William Trudeau, a waiver wire pickup, is not expected to be here long.
General manager Chris MacFarland knew this was a problem. Before training camp, he indicated the need to add a puck-moving defenseman to the mix. There's rumors that Nashville was interested in Carolina's Alex Nikishin, a restricted free agent, or maybe Detroit's Simon Edvinsson, who is without a contract. But nothing has materialized.
Until Ufko or Tanner Molendyk prove they can be full-time NHL defensemen, or the Predators make a trade, the defense is going to remain a problem.
Predators' hot start isn't looking so hot
MacFarland told The Tennesseean on Sept. 10 that how the Predators play in October will dictate not only this season, but future seasons.
Three points in three games? A win, a loss, and an overtime loss? Not the hot start they needed.
The next few weeks are crucial for coach Andrew Brunette. Playing .500 hockey isn't going to cut it, even with their tough early schedule: Starting with the Montreal Canadiens on Oct. 8 (6 p.m. CT, The Spot Nashville 28), the Predators play nine of their next 13 games against teams that made the playoffs last year.
If they haven't climbed the standings by the time November hits, there's likely going to be changes — to the coaching staff and the roster.
Alex Daugherty is the Predators beat writer for The Tennessean. Contact Alex at jdaugherty@gannett.com, follow him on X at@alexdaugherty1 or check out our Predators exclusive Instagram page @tennessean_preds.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: What's working and what isn't for the Nashville Predators through 3 games
