Josi's lost skate blade leads to viral crawl and two assists
Roman Josi lost a skate blade during a game at Bell Centre and had to crawl back to the Nashville bench while play continued. The moment drew widespread reaction online, with fans joking about the unusual journey. Josi later recorded two assists, including the helper on Ryan O'Reilly's late game-winner, as Nashville beat Montreal 5-2.
Josi, a veteran Nashville captain and Norris Trophy winner with over 1,000 NHL appearances, found himself stranded during a shift at Montreal’s Bell Centre. With one skate blade gone, he moved toward the Predators bench on his knees, using his stick and remaining skate while the game continued.
Broadcasters TSN and the NHL shared the sequence, and the league framed it as an unusual trek. Online observers turned it into a joke. Josi still contributed two assists, one on Ryan O’Reilly’s tie-breaking goal with 3:16 remaining. Nashville won 5-2; Steven Stamkos had two assists and Juuse Saros made 32 saves.
The clip may add to hockey’s lighter viral moments, giving fans and casual viewers a shared joke. It could also highlight player safety and equipment reliability, prompting discussion among players, coaches, and equipment staff about how quickly a lost blade can leave a team shorthanded. For Josi and Nashville, the moment may burnish his reputation for perseverance, while Montreal supporters may remember it alongside a frustrating loss.