Lankinen Earns First Shutout with Nashville, Predators Establish Franchise Record Point Streak in 3-0 Win Over Panthers

History has been made. 

Kevin Lankinen earned his first shutout in Gold and Filip Forsberg scored twice as the Nashville Predators defeated the Florida Panthers, 3-0, to establish a franchise record 16-game point streak (14-0-2) on Thursday at Amerant Bank Arena.

“It was a great effort from the whole team,” Lankinen said. “[Florida] is one of the best teams in the League right now and we went head-to-head and out-battled and out-played them. That shows a lot of character, shows what kind of team we are. It's just so much fun to be a part of this and I’m really proud of the guys.” 

“I think for our group, for [Lankinen] to come in and play as he did, and everybody, it's next man up and we're happy for the group,” Predators Head Coach Andrew Brunette said. “We played probably the best team in the League tonight and I thought we played our game, we stayed true to us, and again, we're building for this kind of success as we go forward.”

The result bolstered Nashville’s first Wild Card position and moved the team to 41-25-4 on the season and 22-10-3 on the road.

QUICK HITS

Sweet 16

Beware the Preds of March. 

With a 5-10-0 record to begin their season, few could have predicted the heater the Predators would ultimately be on at this time of year. Even fewer could have predicted a franchise record-breaking 16-game point streak.

And yet, the Predators have done it. 

“We’ve kind of found our identity and we’re enjoying what we bring every night,” Brunette said. “And when you have joy in what you're doing, if you enjoy the work, enjoy the grind, that usually puts you in a pretty good spot. So, it's been a heck of a run. We’ll enjoy this, and then we’ve got to go back to work on Saturday.”

During the 16-game stretch, the Predators have outscored their opponents 68-29, the largest differential in the NHL; they have additionally averaged the most goals per game (4.25) and allowed the fewest goals against per game (1.81) during that span.

“We've learned a lot and I think we're putting in the work,” Forsberg said. “I think that's the biggest thing. Obviously we knew [tonight] was going to be a big test. And we came out ready and ready to skate with one of the faster teams in the League. And I thought we out-skated them tonight and that's obviously just something that we want to keep working on, keep getting that into our game and our puck play was really good as well.”

The Predators joined the Edmonton Oilers (16-0-0) as the second team to capture a point in 16 consecutive games this season.

Lanky Shuts the Door

Facing one of the highest-scoring teams in the National Hockey League with a franchise record point streak on the line, No. 32 answered the bell once again. 

Turning away all 33 shots faced in his first start in nearly two weeks, Lankinen earned his third career shutout and his first as a Predator.

“It's been a while, so it definitely feels good, I'll take it,” Lankinen said. “I’m probably going to let it sink in a little bit, because like I said, it's been a while. I couldn't be happier right now, but a lot of the credit goes to the boys in front of me just shutting [Florida] down and not giving up much. So shout out to the whole team.” 

“I'm so happy for him,” Brunette said. “I think this is one of the hardest places to play, and against his team, he came in and he was rock solid all game. And he's been great for us. We've put him in some really hard games on the road, and he's come through every time. So it was just another notch in his belt.”

Thursday additionally earned Lankinen 10 wins on the season for the second time in his career and his first time with the Predators.

Lankinen has now won all four of his last starts, recording a 1.50 goals-against average and a .952 save percentage during that span.

Top Line Stays Hot

Thursday featured another stellar showing from Nashville’s top line, with Forsberg, Gustav Nyquist and Ryan O’Reilly combining for seven points (3g-4a) in Sunrise.

With two goals and an assist, Forsberg recorded his second straight three-point performance, his third straight multi-point performance and a five-game point streak (5g-5a).

Nyquist recorded a goal and an assist for the second multi-point performance in his last four outings and extended his point streak to four games (2g-4a).

O’Reilly factored on two goals to reach 34 assists on the season; the effort earned the forward his 16th multi-point performance of the season.

UP NEXT

The Predators return to Bridgestone Arena to kick off a two-game homestand, starting with a contest against the Detroit Red Wings on Saturday. Click here to get tickets.

Puck drop is at 4 p.m. CT with the game set to broadcast on Bally Sports South, 102.5 The Game and El Jefe Radio.

NOTES

• Lankinen’s 33-save shutout was his first since March 25, 2021, also against Florida, while appearing in a game with the Chicago Blackhawks.
• Forsberg recorded his 70th career power-play goal on Thursday and joined Shea Weber (80) as the second player in franchise history to score 70 PPGs.
• Jaret Anderson-Dolan, Dante Fabbro (upper body, week-to-week), Cody Glass, Jeremy Lauzon (lower body, week-to-week) and Spencer Stastney (upper body, week-to-week) were scratched and did not skate in Thursday’s game.