Nashville Predators fall 7-4 to St. Louis Blues, Juuse Saros allows 5 goals, pulled in 2nd (2025)

Alex DaughertyNashville Tennessean

The Nashville Predators lost 7-4 to the St. Louis Blues on Friday, a game in which goaltender Juuse Saros was pulled after allowing five goals on 15 shots.

Saros was pulled with 4:31 left in the second period after Blues defenseman Philip Broberg scored the fifth goal for St. Louis. Justus Annunen came on in relief, making 12 saves.

The night started with the Blues scoring on their first two shots, one by Robert Thomas, one by Zack Bolduc. Jordan Kyrou, Cam Fowler, and Colton Parayko also scored in the win for St. Louis.

After starting the game down 2-0, the Predators made it a one goal game four separate times, but every time the Blues answered to extend the lead back to two goals. Mark Jankowski, Steven Stamkos, Nick Blankenburg, and Jonathan Marchessault each scored for Nashville.

Nashville (11-18-7) visits the Winnipeg Jets on Monday, while St. Louis (17-16-4) hosts the Buffalo Sabres on Sunday.

Jonathan Marchessault gets Predators within one late, Predators down 5-4 to Blues

For the fourth time in the game, the Predators crept within one goal of the Blues, this time when Jonathan Marchessault scored his team leading 13th goal with nine minutes left in the game.

On the power play, Marchessault received a pass from Stamkos across the ice, then waited for Hofer to commit to the near side before firing a wrist shot on the far side.

Juuse Saros pulled after giving up 5th goal; Justus Annunen enters game at 4:31 mark of 2nd period

After Philip Broberg put the Blues up 5-3 with his third goal of the season, the Predators made a goalie change. Justus Annunen came in for Juuse Saros, who allowed five goals on 15 shots, with 4:31 left in the second period.

Nick Blankenburg's spectacular goal gets Predators within one; Blues lead 4-3

Nick Blankenburg scored his first career goal last Saturday, an overtime winner against the Kings. Then against the Blues, he had another incredible moment, weaving through the St. Louis defense and putting one by Joel Hofer.

At the 5:31 mark, Blankenburg took the puck between two defenders at the blueline, carried it into the slot, and slid it in between Hofer's pads for the score.

Steven Stamkos, Cam Fowler add to high scoring 1st period; Predators trail Blues 4-2 after 20 minutes

Steven Stamkos scored the fifth goal in a chaotic first period, putting in his seventh power play goal of the year by Joel Hofer. Jonathan Marchessault made a quick pass to Stamkos in the slot, who had plenty of time to shoot on Hofer.

But the Blues answered again, this time on a goal by Cam Fowler. His long range shot banked in off the left post to make it 4-2 Blues, his first goal since coming to St. Louis in a trade with Anaheim on Dec. 15.

Both teams combined for six goals on 21 shots in the first period.

Mark Jankowski gets Nashville Predators on the board, but Jordan Kyrou adds to St. Louis Blues' lead

After wasting an early power play chance, Mark Jankowski put the Predators on the board to make it a 2-1 game.

Down 2-0 to the Blues, Colton Sissons fired a shot on goaltender Joel Hofer that forced him out of the net briefly. The rebound came to Jankowski in the slot and he put the puck in the net at the 5:42 mark.

Then at the 9:57 mark, Jordan Kyrou restored a two goal lead for St. Louis, firing his 15th goal of the season from the middle of the ice. The Predators have been unable to handle the Blues' pressure early, but Saros has not seen the puck well either: he's allowed three goals on his first six shots.

St. Louis Blues score on first two shots, lead the Nashville Predators 2-0

After some early pressure by the Predators, the Blues scored first after a careless turnover in the neutral zone by Gustav Nyquist.

Nyquist was trying to feed the puck back to Brady Skjei, but it went right to Robert Thomas, who strolled into the Predators' zone and scored on Juuse Saros. It was the Blues' first shot of the game.

Then, 1:27 later, the Blues scored on their second shot of the game when Zack Bolduc launched a wrist shot that beat Saros on his glove side.

Less than three minutes into the game and the Predators are down 2-0 to the Blues.

Nashville Predators will skate 11 forwards, seven defenseman vs St. Louis Blues

For the second consecutive game, the Predators will skate with 11 forwards and seven defensemen, instead of the usual 12 forwards, eight defensemen:

Forwards:

Forsberg Stamkos Marchessault

L'Heureux O'Reilly Nyquist

Jankowski Novak Evangelista

McCarron Sissons

Defensemen:

Lauzon Josi

Skjei Blankenburg

Wilsby Schenn

Barron

This is in part due to an injury to Cole Smith, who will be out 4-6 weeks with a lower body injury. But it's also about getting new defenseman Justin Barron into the lineup. He skated 13:03 minutes with three hits and two blocked shots in the Predators' win over the Hurricanes on Monday.

What channel is the Predators vs. Blues game on today? Time, TV schedule

Date and game time:7 p.m. CT on Dec. 27
TV channel:FanDuel Sports Network South, NewsChannel 5 (WTVF)
Streaming info:FUBO (free trial available),ESPN+ outside the local market
Radio:102.5 FM The Game

The Nashville Predators vs. St. Louis Blues game will be televised by FanDuel Sports Network South with a simulcast on NewsChannel 5 (WTVF) and streaming available viaFUBOandESPN+(outside of the Nashville TV market).

Predators vs. Bluesbetting odds

Odds according toBetMGMon Friday, Dec. 27

PUCK LINE:Predators -1.5 at +200, Blues +1.5 at -250
O/U:5.5 goals
MONEY LINE:Predators -130, Blues +110

Nashville Predators 2024-25 schedule

All times Central; Games on FanDuel Sports Network South unless otherwise noted

Record:11-17-7, 29 points

October

Oct. 10:Dallas Stars,L 4-3
Oct. 12:at Detroit Red Wings,L 3-0
Oct. 15:Seattle Kraken,L 7-3
Oct. 17:Edmonton Oilers,L 4-2
Oct. 19:Detroit Red Wings,L 5-2
Oct. 22:Boston Bruins,W 4-0
Oct. 25:at Chicago Blackhawks,W 3-2
Oct. 26:Columbus Blue Jackets,W 4-3 OT
Oct. 28:at Tampa Bay Lightning,L 3-2 OT
Oct. 31:Edmonton Oilers,L 5-1

November

Nov. 2:Colorado Avalanche,W 5-2
Nov. 4:Los Angeles Kings,L 3-0
Nov. 6:at Washington Capitals,L 3-2
Nov. 7:at Florida Panthers,L 6-2
Nov. 9:Utah Hockey Club,W 4-0
Nov. 11:at Colorado Avalanche,L 3-2 OT
Nov. 14:at Edmonton Oilers,L 3-2 OT
Nov. 15:at Calgary Flames, L 2-0
Nov. 17:at Vancouver Canucks, W 5-3
Nov. 20:at Seattle Kraken, L 3-0
Nov. 23:Winnipeg Jets, W 4-1
Nov. 25:at New Jersey Devils, L 5-2
Nov. 27:Philadelphia Flyers, L 3-2 OT
Nov. 29:Tampa Bay Lightning, L 3-2 OT
Nov. 30:at Minnesota Wild, L 3-2 OT

December

Dec. 4:at Toronto Maple Leafs, L 3-2
Dec. 5:at Montreal Canadiens, L 3-0
Dec. 7:at Ottawa Senators, L 3-1
Dec. 10:Calgary Flames, L 4-3
Dec. 12:at Dallas Stars, W 4-1
Dec. 14:at Colorado Avalanche, L 5-2
Dec. 17:New York Rangers, W 2-0
Dec. 19:Pittsburgh Penguins, L 5-4 OT
Dec. 21:Los Angeles Kings, W 3-2 OT
Dec. 23:Carolina Hurricanes, W 5-2
Dec. 27:at St. Louis Blues, 7 p.m.
Dec. 30:at Winnipeg Jets, 6:30 p.m.
Dec. 31:at Minnesota Wild, 7 p.m.

January

Jan. 3:at Vancouver Canucks, 9 p.m.
Jan. 4:at Calgary Flames, 9 p.m.
Jan. 7:at Winnipeg Jets, 7 p.m.
Jan. 11:Washington Capitals, 7 p.m.
Jan. 14:Vegas Golden Knights, 7 p.m.
Jan. 16:Chicago Blackhawks, 7 p.m.
Jan. 18:Minnesota Wild, 7 p.m.
Jan. 21:San Jose Sharks, 7 p.m.
Jan. 23:at San Jose Sharks, 9:30 p.m.
Jan. 25:at Anaheim Ducks, 9 p.m.
Jan. 29:Vancouver Canucks, 8 p.m.
Jan. 31:at Buffalo Sabres, 6 p.m.

February

Feb. 1:at Pittsburgh Penguins, 6 p.m.
Feb. 3:Ottawa Senators, 6:30 p.m.
Feb. 7:at Chicago Blackhawks, 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 8:Buffalo Sabres, 7 p.m.
Feb. 22:Colorado Avalanche, 5 p.m.
Feb. 23:New Jersey Devils, 5 p.m.
Feb. 25:Florida Panthers, 7 p.m.
Feb. 27:Winnipeg Jets, 7 p.m.

March

March 1:at New York Islanders, 11:30 a.m.
March 2:at New York Rangers, 6 p.m.
March 4:at Boston Bruins, 6 p.m.
March 6:Seattle Kraken, 8:30 p.m. on ESPN
March 8:Chicago Blackhawks, 7 p.m.
March 11:at San Jose Sharks, 9:30 p.m. onESPN+ and Hulu (sign up here)
March 14:at Anaheim Ducks, 9 p.m.
March 15:at Los Angeles Kings, 7 p.m.
March 18:St. Louis Blues, 8 p.m. on ESPN
March 20:Anaheim Ducks, 7 p.m.
March 22:Toronto Maple Leafs, 6 p.m.
March 23:at St. Louis Blues, 5 p.m.
March 25:at Carolina Hurricanes, 6:30 p.m. onESPN+ and Hulu (sign up here)
March 27:St. Louis Blues, 7 p.m.
March 29:Vegas Golden Knights, 5:30 p.m.
March 31:at Philadelphia Flyers, 6 p.m.

April

April 1:at Columbus Blue Jackets. 6 p.m.
April 3:at Dallas Stars, 7 p.m.
April 6:Montreal Canadiens, 6 p.m.
April 8:New York Islanders, 7 p.m.
April 10:at Utah Hockey Club, 8 p.m.
April 12:at Vegas Golden Knights, 9 p.m.
April 14:Utah Hockey Club, 7 p.m.
April 16:Dallas Stars, 7 p.m.

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Nashville Predators fall 7-4 to St. Louis Blues, Juuse Saros allows 5 goals, pulled in 2nd (2025)

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