Nashville's Late Rally Falls Short in Shootout Against San Jose
Nashville lost 3-2 in a shootout to San Jose after Steven Stamkos tied the game at the buzzer in regulation. Stamkos became the first NHL player to score two game-tying goals in the final second of regulation. The Predators struggled at five-on-five, and Filip Forsberg's cold streak continued, while Macklin Celebrini scored the shootout winner.
Nashville moved to 2-2-3 while San Jose improved to 4-3-0. Mason Marchment opened the scoring at 5:30 off Tyler Toffoli’s setup, and Will Smith made it 2-0 early in the third. Ryan O’Reilly tipped in Jonathan Marchessault’s power-play shot before Steven Stamkos forced overtime at the horn.
Stamkos’s latest last-second equalizer followed a similar goal against Minnesota on Nov. 4, 2025, with 0.3 seconds left; Nashville lost both games. The Predators have 18 goals in seven contests, ranking 25th, and Filip Forsberg remains without a goal despite six assists and 13 shots over his past two outings.
The shootout result may shape how Predators fans and local media discuss the team’s early-season identity, especially its reliance on special teams and late comebacks. Stamkos’s historic goal could boost national attention, while Forsberg’s scoring drought may increase scrutiny on coaching decisions. For San Jose, Celebrini’s shootout winner could strengthen his reputation among younger fans and add momentum to the Sharks’ market. These effects are likely modest, confined mostly to hockey audiences.