Nashville Predators (1-1-0) vs. Toronto Maple Leafs (1-2-0)
6 p.m. CT | Scotiabank Arena
Watch: Scripps Sports/The Spot - Nashville 28; PredsTV App (in-market); ESPN+ (out-of-market)
Listen: 102.5 The Game, Preds Radio Network
Live Stats: GameCenter
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The first roadtrip of the young season has arrived for the Nashville Predators, and they’ll begin a three-game swing through eastern Canada tonight in Toronto when they face 2026 No. 1 pick Gavin McKenna and the Maple Leafs for a 6 p.m. CT puck drop at Scotiabank Arena.
This evening’s contest is the first of two meetings between the Preds and Leafs this season; Nashville will host Toronto in February at Bridgestone Arena.
After dropping the season opener to Minnesota on Thursday, the Predators bounced back with a 2-1 victory over the Dallas Stars on Saturday night.
Now, as they take to the road for the first time this season, there’s a win to build on as the group continues to mesh as well.
"It's exciting to get on the road,” Preds Head Coach Andrew Brunette said following Monday’s practice in Nashville. “A lot of these guys that have kids have been here since early August, and kind of get the routine monotony of being home. So, I think guys are excited to get going. I think it's really good for team bonding and building, being out there together, and some fun buildings to play in. It should be pretty electric every night, and we'll see how we stick together. [I’ll] really like it if we can build off of our first two games, especially our last one, and keep moving on.”
“There's a lot of new guys on this team, so to get on the road and spend some time together will be great,” Preds forward Alex Kerfoot said. “And we're playing three good hockey teams. Obviously, all three of these teams have aspirations to play in the playoffs. They have been in the playoffs recently, and so it'll be a good test. These are tough buildings to play in. We played two good teams already, and we’ve just got to keep building our game. And it'll be a good test to see where we stand playing these teams.”
Predators goaltender Justus Annunen, who did not dress for Saturday’s game and is day-to-day, did practice with the team on Monday.
Vitali Pinchuk also joined the group for practice after being recalled on Sunday. Pinchuk, who signed an entry-level deal with the Preds last spring, has yet to make his NHL debut, but the excitement to be on the road in itself is palpable for the young forward.
“Hopefully I get a chance and play in the NHL,” Pinchuk smiled after Monday’s practice. “It’s my dream. I want to be here, and I'm excited to be here… First road trip with an NHL team, I’m so excited. It doesn't matter what team we're playing, Canada is great. I was in Canada in 2019 when I played one year in the OHL, and I’m excited to be back in Canada.”
The Predators didn’t have any changes to their forward lines or defensive pairs during Monday’s practice with Pinchuk serving as an extra forward. Defenseman William Trudeau, who skated with Adam Wilsby, made his NHL debut on Saturday against Dallas. Defenseman Jack Ahcan made his Preds debut on Saturday as well.
