Despite multi-point efforts from Tyson Barrie (1g-1a), Matt Duchene (1g-1a) and Philip Tomasino (2a), the Nashville Predators fell to the Seattle Kraken 7-2 on Saturday at Bridgestone Arena. 

The Predators made it a one-goal game early in the third period, but Seattle scored four unanswered goals to seal the win and avenge Thursday's shootout loss to Nashville.

Juuse Saros made 32 saves in goal for the Predators, who moved to 36-27-8 on the season.

Throngs of gold-clad fans flooded the plaza outside Bridgestone Arena in the early hours of Saturday morning as the Nashville Predators unveiled a statue of franchise goaltender Pekka Rinne.

Chants of "Thank you, Pekka!" resounded all the way down Broadway as the beloved goaltender arrived on the plaza, smiling and greeting fans, media members and former Predators teammates who had come to join the celebration.

The Nashville Predators (36-26-8) will host the second of back-to-back games against the Seattle Kraken (39-24-8) on Saturday at Bridgestone Arena.

The day's festivities will also include the Pekka Rinne statue unveiling on the Bridgestone Arena Plaza, as well as the Preds' second Hockey Fights Cancer Night of the season. 

The puck drops at 1 p.m. CT, and the game will be broadcast on Bally Sports South, 102.5 The Game and El Jefe Radio. Here's everything you need to know:

Pekka Rinne is back in SMASHVILLE this weekend. 

But thanks to his lasting impact on the community, it feels like he never left.

The Nashville Predators will unveil a statue of the franchise goaltender on Saturday, March 25 at 10 a.m. CT ahead of that afternoon's game against the Seattle Kraken at Bridgestone Arena. 

For the past quarter century, Clarksville native Scott Wise has immortalized some of Middle Tennessee's most significant moments and figures in beautiful bronze sculpture. 

From honoring his hometown's resilience after the devastating Clarksville tornado of 1999, to memorializing Tennessee's fallen firefighters, Wise - a firefighter himself - had seemingly captured it all.

That is, until the Nashville Predators came calling with a special commission.

As a day one Preds fan, Wise accepted.

On Saturday, his latest project - a towering 12-foot-tall bronze statue of legendary franchise goaltender Pekka Rinne - will be unveiled at its permanent home on the Bridgestone Arena plaza.

Chatting over the phone on one of his days off from the fire station, Wise touched on the significance of his soon-to-be public work.

"It really is huge," Wise said. "And especially for me, but also for all of Middle Tennessee, just to have something there that you can put a face to the organization. [The Predators] have come a long way. And I hope that this helps it and builds on it."

Juuse Saros made 27 saves and did not allow a goal in the shootout as the Nashville Predators defeated the Seattle Kraken 2-1 on Thursday at Bridgestone Arena.

With the win, the Predators snapped Seattle's six-game road winning streak and improved to 36-26-8 on the season.

The wait is almost over. To celebrate the legacy of legendary Nashville Predators goaltender Pekka Rinne, the Preds will unveil his life-sized bronze statue on Saturday, March 25 at 10 a.m.

Rinne's statue unveiling ceremony will be held on the northeast corner of the Bridgestone Arena Plaza, near the intersection of Broadway and Rep. John Lewis Way South. 

Following the ceremony, the Preds will hit the ice against the Seattle Kraken at 1 p.m.

For those attending the statue unveiling, below are some answers to frequently asked questions ahead of Saturday's events:

The Nashville Predators (35-26-8) will host the first of two back-to-back games against the Seattle Kraken (39-24-7) Thursday at Bridgestone Arena.

The puck drops at 7 p.m. CT, and the game will be broadcast on Bally Sports South, 102.5 The Game and El Jefe Radio. Here's everything you need to know:

Tommer's back.

Appearing on the latest episode of the Predators Official Podcast, forward Philip Tomasino talked about receiving the long-awaited call up to Nashville after starting the season with the Preds' AHL affiliate Milwaukee Admirals.

While Tomasino's assignment to the AHL following the Preds' return from Europe came as a surprise to many, the 21-year-old forward credits his time in Milwaukee for his improved play and confidence in the NHL.

Since his call up in mid-February, Tomasino has made quite the impact, registering 13 points (4g-9a) in 18 games.

"[Being sent down to Milwaukee] was for me trying to figure out my game," Tomasino said. "It was great for me to go through that. I came back a better player and person and I've learned a lot. I always try to look at things from a positive point of view and it has definitely helped me in the long run. [My parents] have both always been there for me, always supported me, but I think that was on myself - having to look at myself in the mirror and try to find ways to improve."

Led by multi-point efforts from Luke Evangelista (2g-2a), Matt Duchene (2g-1a), Philip Tomasino (1g-1a) and Tommy Novak (1g-1a), the Nashville Predators cruised to a 7-3 victory over the Buffalo Sabres Tuesday at KeyBank Center. 

Evangelista led all skaters with four points, and Juuse Saros made 28 saves in goal for the Predators, who improved to 35-26-8 on the season.