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Can the Predators Recreate Last Season’s Magic?

Thus far, the Nashville Predators have had an ugly season. But they’ve begun to win. Is there any chance they can re-create last year’s magic?

In an interview last night after his team’s 4-1 win over the Calgary Flames, Nashville Predators forward Ryan O’Reilly spoke with Sportsnet’s Scott Oake about the Predators’ recent success. The conversation included a standout performance by goaltender Justus Annunen, his sixth career hat trick, and what the team needs to do to sustain their momentum.

Predators O'Reilly Saros
Predators O’Reilly Saros

Here’s what O’Reilly had to say:

O’Reilly Praised Two Teammates

O’Reilly praised Justus Annunen’s 31-save performance, emphasizing how crucial the young goaltender’s hang-in-there attitude was after a rocky start. “It was a pretty bad first period,” O’Reilly admitted. “We gave up so many chances, but he came through. Those huge stops tightened things up, gave us momentum, and allowed us to crawl back into the game.”

In part, O’Reilly’s sixth career hat trick was made possible by teammate Steven Stamkos’ unselfish play. “It was nice of him,” O’Reilly said. “I’m not that fast, and he delayed to give me a little time to get up there. It was a great, unselfish play by him.”

Does O’Reilly Think the Predators Can Recreate Last Year’s Run?

Last season, the Predators went an incredible 16-0-2 from mid-February to late March. That run pulled them upwards into playoff contention. O’Reilly remains optimistic that a similar streak is possible. “When we do things well, we see how effective we can be,” he said. “We haven’t lost in the new year, and it’s something we want to keep building on.”



Nashville put up back-to-back road wins for the first time this season, which is a sign of progress. However, O’Reilly acknowledges that consistency will be key for the Predators. “We’re starting to build something,” he said. “When we play tight defensively, we’re very effective. Tonight was a perfect example of that.”

He also pointed to strong goaltending and improving special teams as the foundation for sustained success. “If we keep building on this momentum, we can make it tough for top teams to face us,” he noted. Juuse Saros has been solid. And last night, Annunen’s ability to keep the Predators in the game highlighted the importance of strong goaltending for a team striving to recapture the magic of last season’s historic run.

Are the Predators Too Far Out of the Playoffs to Make It?

The Predators sit outside the playoff picture, but O’Reilly doesn’t think the gap is insurmountable. With strong goaltending and defensive play, they have shown glimpses of a team capable of pulling together a run similar to last year’s historic magic. However, the challenge lies in stringing consistent games against highly competitive teams.

O’Reilly’s confidence and leadership provide a flicker of hope, but the margin for error is thin. The playoffs remain within reach if Nashville can harness its recent momentum and elevate its game. The next few weeks will determine whether this optimism translates into action—and potentially, another unforgettable chapter in Predators history.

Related: Avalanche & Predators Trade Exchanges Two Young Forwards

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