The Nashville Predators enter the 2025–26 season looking to climb higher in the Central Division, and their path will demand early consistency and stamina. Led by captain Roman Josi, Nashville’s schedule features extended home stretches, demanding road trips, and a heavy divisional slate that could define their playoff hopes by midseason.
October: heavy travel and early tests
The Predators open the season at Bridgestone Arena on October 9 against the Columbus Blue Jackets, followed by another home contest against the Utah Mammoth two nights later. That short homestand gives way to a challenging four-game road trip through Ottawa, Toronto, Montreal, and Winnipeg. four teams known for strong home ice advantages.
By the end of October, Nashville will have played 13 games, including marquee home matchups against Anaheim, Vancouver, Los Angeles, Dallas, and Tampa Bay. The first month should immediately test the team’s depth and travel readiness.
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November: packed calendar and premier matchups
November delivers a full schedule with big-name opponents. The Predators will host Calgary, Philadelphia, Dallas, Pittsburgh, Colorado, and Florida in front of their home fans, creating a high-profile slate that includes afternoon starts and national attention.
The November 14 and 16 matchups against Pittsburgh stand out as back-to-back matinee contests. Later in the month, Nashville hits the road to face Detroit, Chicago, and St. Louis, finishing with a home game against Winnipeg before the calendar turns.
December: division fights and holiday hockey
December will see Nashville battle through key Central Division opponents like Colorado, St. Louis, and Minnesota. The month also includes marquee games against Toronto on December 20 and the New York Rangers on December 21, both at home before the Christmas break.
The Predators spend the final week of December on the road with trips to St. Louis, Utah, and Vegas, ending the year on New Year’s Eve against the Golden Knights. It’s one of the most difficult stretches of their schedule and could determine early playoff positioning.
January: long road trips and western swing
Nashville opens January with an extended Western Canada and Pacific road trip, visiting Seattle, Calgary, Edmonton, and Vegas in a span of eight days. The team returns home mid-month for a busy stretch featuring New York, Chicago, Washington, and Edmonton, giving fans multiple chances to see top-tier opponents.
The January 24 home game against Utah and late-month trips to Boston and New York close out a packed winter schedule that will test the team’s travel conditioning before the Olympic break.
February: central showdowns before the Olympic Pause
The Predators’ February slate is short but critical. Nashville hosts St. Louis and Minnesota before a trip to Washington on February 5, their final game before the league pauses for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina.
The condensed schedule leading into the break offers valuable points against divisional rivals that could impact the standings by spring.
March: stretch sun and playoff push
March marks the season’s longest and most balanced month, with a steady mix of home and road contests. Nashville plays 15 games, including home matchups against Boston, Seattle, Vegas, San Jose, and Montreal.
The road portion includes trips to Buffalo, Vancouver, and Edmonton, along with visits to Central Division foes Winnipeg and Chicago. A late-March home game against Vegas on March 21 could be a highlight of the playoff race.
April: closing at home
The Predators wrap up the 2025–26 regular season with a favorable home stretch, including five of their last seven games at Bridgestone Arena. Key matchups include Minnesota on April 11 and Anaheim on April 16, both of which could play pivotal roles in determining playoff seeding.
Nashville’s season will once again hinge on its ability to thrive in close games and maintain consistency through a demanding travel schedule. If Roman Josi, Filip Forsberg, and Juuse Saros can stay healthy, the Predators have a strong chance to remain in contention through the spring.
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