Nashville Predators at Tampa Bay Lightning Preseason Game: Game Central, Live Updates and Analysis

NASHVILLE — The Nashville Predators open the 2026-27 preseason schedule with a 4 p.m. CT matchup in Benchmark International Arena against the Tampa Bay Lightning. It's the first of two preseason matchups against the Lightning, with the second coming on Tuesday in Nashville.

The preseason has a truncated timeline this season as the NHL moves the regular season from 82 to 84 games, cutting two preseason matchups. Today's preseason game is a big opportunity for younger players, as veterans are restricted to playing in two of the four preseason games.

Nashville brought 55 playes to training camp and must be down to 23 by Sept. 28 as some NHL teams have their first game on Sept. 29.

Predators fans should keep their eye on forwards Joakim Kemell, Reid Schaefer, Tyson Jost, Cole O'Hara and Brady Martin, while paying attention to defensemen Viggo Gustafsson, Tanner Molendyk and Andrew Gibson as they try to leave strong impressions on new management.

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

Predators at Lightning Third Period

Nashville falls 2-1 after being outshot 22-13 and losing the faceoffs 26-14.

Juuse Saros heads to the bench with under two minutes remaining as Nashville looks for the equalizing goal.

Oazis Wiesblatt tangles up with Scott Sabourin and the two almost fight after the whistle. Wiesblatt and Sabourin get a 10 minute game misconduct.

There's another skirmish near the Nashville net as the Lightning have made a lot of contact with Juuse Saros today. Brandon Hagel skated into Saros, and Viggo Gustafsson tied him up on the glass after. Oasiz Wiesblatt goes into the box for Nashville in place of Gustafsson. Gustafsson gets two minutes for cross-checking and 10 minutes for a game misconduct, while Braden Hagel gets two minutes for roughing and 10 minutes for a game misconduct.

David Edstrom gets two minutes for tripping Benjamin Rautiainen, putting Tampa Bay on the fourth power play of the game at 8:15 in the third period.

Oleg Kulebiakin gives the Nashville power play another chance after high-sticking Tanner Molendyk. Nashville is 0-for-4 on the power play tonight.

Predators at Lightning Second Period

Felix Nilsson is called for hooking on Max Crozier and ends the period in the penalty box.

Conor Geekie goes to the penalty box after roughing Nashville defender Viggo Gustafsson

Andrew Gibson and Erik Cernak get into a big fight after a late hit on Juuse Saros. Cernak got the better of Gibson after pulling his sweater over his head and both skaters leave the ice with some bumps and bruises. Gibson and Cernak go into the box for roughing, while Scott Sabourin joins them for the Lightning, putting Nashville on the power play.

Nashville defender Andrew Gibson puts Tampa Bay on a power play after drawing a hooking penalty 6:45 into the second period.

Predators at Lightning First Period

Shot count after one period: Tampa Bay 11, Nashville 4. The Lightning lead 2-1 after the first period.

Oasiz Wiesblatt goes into the penalty box after drawing a two-minute hooking penalty, putting Tampa Bay on the power play to close the period.

Nashville's powerplay comes up empty, in fact, Tampa had the better opportunity, generating a shorthanded two-on-one chance. The Predators have struggled maintaining possession throughout the first period as Nashville went with a young lineup and Tampa Bay is playing a more experienced group.

Oasiz Wiesblatt gets himself into a bit of a scrum with Erik Cernak near the Predators bench. The Predators go on a power play as Cernak is called for roughing. Oasiz has been an instigator throughout the preseason.

GOAL FOR TAMPA BAY. Cole O'Hara turned the puck over to Conor Geekie in the Predators' offensive zone and Geekie loaded up and fired the puck past Saros to give the Lightning a 2-1 lead at 15:31 in the first period.

GOAL FOR NASHVILLE. Reid Schaefer found Brady Martin in the neutral zone. He deked past a Lightning defender at the blue line and drove to the net, and ripped a wrist shot past Andrei Vasilevskiy to tie the game 1-1 at 7:39 in the first period.

Brady Martin scores Nashville’s first preseason goal of the season with a pretty move and finish. pic.twitter.com/DF4UoMq1g7
— Joe Gaither (@JoeGaither6) September 20, 2026

GOAL FOR TAMPA BAY. Ilya Mikkheyev redirected John Carlson's shot from the blue line past Juuse Saros for the first goal of the game as the Lightning take a 1-0 lead 1:33 into the game.

Predators at Lightning Game Information

Who: Nashville Predators at Tampa Bay Lightning
What: First Preseason Game of the 2026-27 Season
When: Sunday, Sept. 20, 4 p.m. CT
Where: Benchmark International Arena, Tampa, Fla.

Nashville Predators Line Combinations

Forwards

Tyson Jost - Felix Nilsson - Joakim Kemell
Reid Schaefer - Brady Martin- Cole O'Hara
Chase Bradly - David Edstrom- Ozzy Wiesblatt
Jake Lucchini - Oasiz Wiesblatt - Aiden Fink

Defense

Tanner Molendyk - Nick Perbix
Viggo Gustafsson - Hunter Skinner
Jack Ahcan- Andrew Gibson

Goaltenders

Juuse Saros
Matt Murray

Tampa Bay Lightning Line Combinations

Forwards

Ilya Mikheyev - Brayden Point - Nikita Kucherov
Brandon Hagel - Anthony Cirelli - Jake Guentzel
Conor Geekie - Sam O’Reilly - Benjamin Rautiainen
Oleg Kulebiakin - Ethan Czata - Scott Sabourin

Defense

J.J. Moser - John Carlson
Victor Hedman - Max Crozier
Ryan McDonagh - Erik Cernak

Goaltenders

Andrei Vasilevskiy
Mads Sogaard

The shootout at the Gold Star Showcase

Goals by Reid Schaefer, Cole O’Hara and Joey Willis pic.twitter.com/XvBRLHSV3B
— Joe Gaither (@JoeGaither6) September 19, 2026

How To Watch Predators at Lightning Preseason

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

This Week's Biggest Predators Headlines...

The Nashville Predators have placed extra emphasis on performing well in the first month of the season.

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Nashville Predators Injury News

Forward Vitali Pinchuk is day-to-day with an upper body injury.

Nashville Predators Preseason Lineup Against Tampa Bay

Forwards

11, Aiden Fink
17, Tyson Jost
19, Cole O'Hara
25, Joakim Kemell
27, Jake Lucchini
38, Chase Bradley
44, Brady Martin
49, Reid Schaefer
60, David Edstrom
62, Felix Nilsson
89, Ozzy Wiesblatt
97, Oasiz Wiesblatt

Defensemen

40, Viggo Gustafsson
47, Jack Ahcan
48, Nick Perbix
50, Tanner Molendyk
57, Hunter Skinner
92, Andrew Gibson

Goaltender

32, Matt Murray
74, Juuse Saros

Tampa Bay Lightning Preseason Lineup Against Nashville

Forwards

21, Brayden Point
23, Sam O'Reilly
38, Brandon Hagel
41, Benjamin Rautiainen
45, Ethan Czata
49, Scott Sabourin
58, Oleg Kulebiakin
59, Jake Guentzel
71, Anthony Cirelli
86, Nikita Kucherov
94, Conor Geekie
95, Ilya Mikheyev

Defensemen

24, Max Crozier
27, Ryan McDonagh
74, John Carlson
77, Victor Hedman
81, Erik Cernak
90, J.J. Moser

Goaltenders

30, Mads Sogaard
88, Andrei Vasilevskiy

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