Juuse Saros made 23 saves, earning his 21st NHL shutout, as the Nashville Predators defeated the Seattle Kraken 3-0 on Thursday night, securing Andrew Brunette’s first coaching victory with the team.
This win also marked Barry Trotz’s first as the Predators’ general manager. Trotz, Nashville’s first coach from 1998 to 2014, took on his new role after successful stints with the Washington Capitals and New York Islanders. Brunette, who scored the franchise’s first goal in October 1998, expressed excitement about the win.
“Once you’ve worn the Predator uniform, you always feel like part of the team,” Brunette said. “Getting a win makes it extra special.”
Goals from Colton Sissons, Gustav Nyquist, and Juuso Parssinen secured the victory for Nashville. Both teams were looking to bounce back after opening their seasons with road losses—Nashville at Tampa Bay and Seattle at defending Stanley Cup Champion Vegas.
“The puck isn’t going our way right now,” Kraken forward Yanni Gourde remarked.
Sissons broke the deadlock midway through the second period. With the Kraken on a power play, Cole Smith sent a backhand saucer pass from inside the Nashville blue line into the neutral zone. Sissons won the race for the puck, going forehand to backhand to beat goaltender Philipp Grubauer.
“I saw an opportunity and caught them being a little overaggressive,” Sissons said. “Smith put it in a great spot for me to have a chance at a breakaway, and I fortunately put it in.”
Nyquist scored his first goal as a Predator at 10:03 of the third period, deflecting the puck past Grubauer on a delayed penalty to Seattle. Parssinen sealed the game with an empty-net goal. Grubauer finished with 32 saves.
“Grubauer has been solid both nights here,” Seattle coach Dave Hakstol said. “He’s been sharp and is seeing the puck well.”
SOLO SKATE:
Rookie Tye Kartye took a solo lap during the pregame warmup, following NHL tradition for players appearing in their first game. Kartye had played 10 playoff games for the Kraken last season, scoring three goals and adding two assists.
SCHENN OUT:
Predators defenseman Luke Schenn missed the game due to a lower-body injury and was replaced by Dante Fabbro, a healthy scratch in the season opener.
UP NEXT:
- Kraken: At St. Louis on Saturday night.
- Predators: At Boston on Saturday night.
