Carolina Hurricanes at Nashville Predators Preseason Game: Game Central, Live Updates and Analysis

Everything you want to know about the Predators and the Hurricanes, from the line combinations to injury updates and all the goals at Bridgestone Arena.

Sep 22, 2026; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; The Nashville Predators celebrate a goal by right wing Matthew Wood (71) during the third period against the Tampa Bay Lightning at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Alan Poizner-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

NASHVILLE — Nashville's preseason concludes with a home matchup against the defending Stanley Cup Champion Carolina Hurricanes on Saturday. The Predators came up short on Thursday, losing 6-5 in Carolina, but get a chance to end the preseason on a high-note with another shot at the defending champions.

Before the puck ever drops, Broadway will be packed. The Predators are throwing PredsFest on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. CT, taking over the stretch of Broadway between Fifth and Sixth Avenues and Rep. John Lewis Way for the franchise's official 2026-27 season kickoff celebration — free and open to the public, no ticket required.

Expect a Festival Zone with photo ops and Predators-branded prints, a Kids Zone with face painting and gaming stations, and the Nissan Tailgate Zone with lawn games and a big screen tuned to college football. Food trucks and drink tents from Dr. Pepper and Raising Cane's will line the streets, and Universal Crush will play on the Corona Broadway Stage as part of Bridgestone Arena's 30th-anniversary celebration in Smashville.

The business begins inside Bridgestone Arena after the party, as the final preseason game serves as the last audition for Predators players hoping to make the opening night roster. Nashville must cut four more players to comply with the NHL's 23-man roster, making it an important day for forwards Tyson Jost, Brady Martin, Reid Schaefer, Vitali Pinchuk, and Adam Edstrom, as well as defensemen Ryan Ufko and Jack Ahcan.

This story will be updated throughout the game with big plays, scores, and analysis.

Nashville Predators vs. Carolina Hurricanes First Period Updates

• GOAL for Carolina. Jordan Martinook finishes off a pretty team play for the Hurricanes. The 'Canes moved the puck around the offensive zone and Nikolaj Ehlers served up a pass to Martinook in front of the goal to double the Carolina lead at 7:04 in the first period.

• GOAL for Carolina. Jackson Blake scores on the power play after receiving a pass from Sebastian Aho to give the Hurricanes a 1-0 lead at 5:02 in the first period.

• 3:17 - Steven Stamkos is called for interference, putting Carolina on a two-minute power play.

Hurricanes at Predators Game Information

• Who: Carolina Hurricanes at Nashville Predators
• What: Fourth and Final Preseason Game of the 2026-27 Season
• When: Saturday, Sept. 26, 2 p.m. CT
• Where: Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, Tenn.

Nashville Predators Line Combinations Against Carolina

Forwards

Steven Stamkos - Ryan O'Reilly - Alexander Kerfoot
Filip Forsberg - Matthew Wood - Nils Hoglander
Vitali Pinchuk - Mavrik Bourque - Jonathan Marchessault
Ross Colton - Jack Drury - Adam Edstrom

Defense

Brady Skjei - Roman Josi
Nicolas Hague - Adam Wilsby
Jack Ahcan - Ilya Lyubushkin

Goaltenders

Juuse Saros
Ethan Haider

Carolina Hurricanes Preseason Line Combinations Against Nashville

Forwards

Andei Svenchnikov - Sebastian Aho - Felix Unger Sorum
Taylor Hall - Logan Stankoven - Jackson Blake
Nikolaj Ehlers - Jordan Staal - Jordan Martinook
Eric Robinson - Mark Jankowski - William Carrier

Defense

Jaccob Slavin - Jalen Chatfield
K'Andre Miller - Sean Walker
Shayne Gostisbehere - Charles Alexis Legault

Goaltenders

Brandon Bussi
Cayden Primeau

Nashville Put on PredsFest Before Today's Preseason Matchup

PredsFest is popping! Good music and giveaways to get the fans excited for the new season pic.twitter.com/eQyJzVP2md

— Joe Gaither (@JoeGaither6) September 26, 2026

Nashville Head Coach Andrew Brunette Talked About How Important The Last Preseason Game Is

How To Watch Hurricanes at Predators Preseason

• The Spot - Nashville 28
• Nashville Predators App
• Online via PredsTV.com

Nashville Predators Injury News

• The Predators have had a relatively clean training camp and don't have any injuries as they play the final preseason game. Nashville forward Vitali Pinchuk missed a week with an upper body injury, but returned to the lineup this week and played in Thursday's game.

This Week's Biggest Predators Headlines...

• The Carolina Hurricanes overcame a 5-1 deficit on Thursday night, scoring with three seconds left to defeat the Nashville Predators 6-5.

• Vitali Pinchuk scored in his first game with the Nashville Predators. Head coach Andrew Brunette said he started well, but faded as the game progressed. Saturday is Pinchuk's last chance to impress management before the team finalizes the roster.

• The NHL roster deadline is Monday, Sept. 28 at 4 p.m. CT. Here is who we think makes the Predators' opening-day roster before the last preseason game begins.

Nashville Predators Preseason Lineup Against Carolina

Forwards

9, Filip Forsberg
14, Alexander Kerfoot
18, Jack Drury
21, Nils Hoglander
22, Mavrik Bourque
51, Vitali Pinchuk
71, Matthew Wood
79, Ross Colton
81, Jonathan Marchessault
84, Adam Edstrom
90, Ryan O'Reilly
91, Steven Stamkos

Defensemen

2, Adam Wilsby
41, Nicolas Hague
46, Ilya Lyubushkin
47, Jack Ahcan
59, Roman Josi
76, Brady Skjei

Goaltenders

1, Ethan Haider
74, Juuse Saros

Carolina Hurricanes Preseason Lineup Against Nashville

Forwards

11, Jordan Staal
20, Sebastian Aho
22, Logan Stankoven
27, Nikolaj Ehlers
28, William Carrier
36, Felix Unger Sorum
37, Andrei Svechnikov
48, Jordan Martinook
50, Eric Robinson
53, Jackson Blake
71, Taylor Hall
77, Mark Jankowski

Defensemen

4, Shayne Gostisbehere
5, Jalen Chatfield
19, K'Andre Miller
26, Sean Walker
62, Charles Alexis Legault
74, Jaccob Slavin
75 Noel Fransen

Goaltenders

32, Brandon Bussi
55, Cayden Primeau

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