SMASHVILLE Scope: Preds Stand With The Covenant School in Wake of Tragedy

The Nashville Predators returned from a two-game road trip to host the St. Louis Blues on Saturday in what would be the first professional sporting event to take place in Nashville following Monday's tragic shooting at the Covenant School. Nashville earned a 6-1 win, significantly impacting both their playoff chances and their grieving community.
"It's been on our minds, like everybody," Preds defenseman Ryan McDonagh said of the shooting. "You just try to focus on your job here and try to be inspirational for the city and hopefully bring a little bit of joy and excitement and distract from the pain that everybody's feeling here. It's been quite a week and we're definitely trying to use this as motivation to bring some joy and inspiration to the city."
Here's a look back at some of the other events of the week, as well as what's to come:

Spencer Stastney's NHL Debut

After an eventful 48 hours, defenseman Spencer Stastney arrived in Nashville just in time to make his NHL debut during Saturday afternoon's matchup against the Blues.
"A couple of delayed and canceled flights yesterday… we got here just in time and it worked out perfectly." Stastney said. "It's been amazing… just after that game and being here, it's such a special day."
Stastney was drafted in the 2018 NHL Draft in the fifth round, 131st overall. He joined the Milwaukee Admirals last season for two games. This season he has tallied 13 points (5g-8a) in 56 games.
"There are a lot of guys I played with on the Admirals earlier this year, and they're all doing well here." Stastney said. "It definitely was nice coming in here just seeing a lot of familiar faces and a lot of guys who just welcomed me with open arms and helped me out here."
Stastney is the fifth Predators prospect to make his NHL debut during the 2022-23 season.
"I was just trying to soak it all in. This is something I've looked forward to for a while and I hoped it would come." Stastney said. "It was such a special night but to be with the guys and to be welcomed out there was really cool."

SMASHVILLE Strong

During Saturday's game, the Predators organization remembered those lives lost during the tragic events that occurred last Monday at the Covenant School. Fans were able to purchase custom "SMASHVILLE Strong" shirts with the Covenant School logo, bid on signed shirts and purchase decals. Proceeds from these purchases will be donated to the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee via the "Caring for Covenant Fund."
The Nashville Predators will wear the Covenant School logo decals on their away helmets and sport the Covenant School logo patch on their home jerseys for the remainder of the season. These home jerseys will be signed and auctioned off at the end of the season with proceeds going to the aforementioned fund.
Additionally, there are organizations offering free counseling to anyone affiliated with The Covenant School and have any member of the public who is willing to sponsor counseling for these impacted families. Daystar provides both counseling as well as therapy dogs for those in need. Donations to Daystar can be made
here
. (Be sure to select "The Covenant School Fund" when making a donation.)

Milwaukee Admirals Update

With a 6-2 win over the Grand Rapids Griffins on Friday, the Predators AHL affiliate officially clinched their spot in the 2022-23 Calder Cup Playoffs. This marks the 17th time the Ads have qualified for the Calder Cup Playoffs since the team joined the AHL in the 2001-02 season.
During Friday evening's matchup against the Griffins, Tim Schaller posted his 150th career AHL point and Issac Ratcliffe registered 4 points (2g-2a). Ratcliffe earned the second star on AHL's Friday's Three Stars of the Night. On Saturday, the team headed home to face the Laval Rocket. The 6-4 loss saw goals from Anthony Angello, Tommy Apap, Navrin Mutter and Tye Felhaber. Mutter scored his first goal of the season, which was also his first professional goal.
For the first time in franchise history, the Admirals have won five straight games in a single road trip.

Pride Night

The Predators, in partnership with the Tennessee Pride Chamber, will host the Eighth Annual Predators Pride Night during the game on April 4 at 7 p.m. against the Vegas Golden Knights. The night will also include a Plaza Party presented by Dr. Pepper on the Bridgestone Arena Main Plaza prior to the game featuring Pride activations for all fans.
The night will feature LGBTQ+ community members in-game throughout the night, including the Mayor of Smashville, Fan Captain, Rally Towel Waver and Zamboni riders. Player-signed Pride jerseys and mystery pucks will be auctioned off along with autographed guitars from the Love Rising benefit concert.
Click
here
to purchase a Pride Night ticket package, which includes a limited-edition Pride Night t-shirt.

Goal of the Week

Assist of the Week

Save of the Week

Predators Official Podcast

Darren McFarland and Kara Hammer chat with Brentwood native and Preds fan Caleb Miele, who celebrated his 17th birthday by reading the Predators starting lineup in the locker room before their game against Boston. Next, Clarksville native and sculptor Scott Wise joins the podcast to talk about his latest project creating Pekka Rinne's bronze statue.

Coming Soon to Bridgestone Arena

April 4: Vegas Golden Knights vs. Nashville Predators
April 6: Carolina Hurricanes vs. Nashville Predators
April 7: Chris Tomlin: Good Friday Nashville
April 8: Banda MS y Edén Muñoz: MS20 Tour
For more information on events and tickets, click
here
.