NASHVILLE — The Dallas Stars scored three goals on consecutive shots in the second period to hold off the Nashville Predators 4-3 in the 2024-25 regular-season opener for both teams Thursday night.
Mason Marchment scored two goals in the road win at Bridgestone Arena, while Roope Hintz and Jason Robertson each had a goal apiece for Dallas and Logan Stankoven totaled three assists.
Filip Forsberg scored the first goal for Nashville in the second period and had an assist, Tommy Novak scored in the third, and Ryan O’Reilly gave the Predators a fighting chance with 1:35 remaining by scoring a goal with six skaters on the ice for his side.
It wasn’t enough as O’Reilly and Steven Stamkos both hit a post in the final 50 seconds.
The Predators were big spenders to kick off NHL free agency in the offseason, with general manager Barry Trotz looking to boost the power play and add scoring depth with Stamkos, Jonathan Marchessault and defenseman Brady Skjei. That didn’t come to fruition in the opener, with Nashville finishing 1-of-6 with the man advantage.
Dallas picked up right where it left off after it led the Western Conference with 113 points and made the conference title series last season. The Stars scored all four goals in a five-shot span in the second period Thursday.
Predators goaltender Scott Wedgewood made 16 saves in his Nashville debut with Juuse Saros sidelined by a lower-body injury. Saros got an eight-year contract this summer after finishing fifth in the Vezina Trophy voting last season for the league’s top goalie and fourth in 2024.
Dallas broke open the scoreless game by scoring two goals 19 seconds apart early in the second. Hintz put a wrister over Wedgewood’s shoulder stick side at 2:05, then Hintz set up Robertson for the 2-0 lead at 2:24.
Forsberg’s goal gave him a point in his ninth-straight season opener, extending the NHL’s longest active streak.
The Predators are back in action Saturday, when they visit the Detroit Red Wings.