What's working and what isn't for the Nashville Predators through 3 games

The Nashville Predators have had mixed results in their first three games of the season. After a strong 2-1 win against the Dallas Stars, they dominated Toronto 3-0 on October 6th, thanks to goals from Steven Stamkos and Nils Höglander. However, they struggled to maintain that momentum, tying the game at 4-4 in the third period with the Maple Leafs, and ultimately losing in overtime after Auston Matthews scored a goal.

Over the past season, the Predators relied heavily on their top line of Ryan O'Reilly, Filip Forsberg, and Steven Stamkos. This season, there appears to be a more balanced approach, with O'Reilly and Stamkos paired with Alex Kerfoot, Forsberg with Matthew Wood and Nils Höglander. These two lines have been effective, generating offense by shooting frequently in the middle of the ice. However, rookie Mavrik Bourque, one of the team's biggest summer acquisitions, has yet to deliver consistent results.

The Predators' defense has been a significant weakness. Veteran Roman Josi is the team's best defensemen, but he is supported by a group of lesser-known players: Brady Skjei, Nicolas Hague, Adam Wilsby, and Nick Perbix. Ryan Ufko, who impressed during training camp, was sent back to Milwaukee soon after the home opener, while William Trudeau, acquired via waivers, is expected to be with the team only temporarily.

The team's General Manager, Chris MacFarland, acknowledged this as a problem, expressing the need to bolster the defense with a puck-moving defenseman. Rumors have circulated about potential signings like Alex Nikishin (Carolina) or Simon Edvinsson (Detroit), but no concrete action has been taken yet.

Despite the promising start, the Predators' early performance has been far from ideal. Coach Andrew Brunette has emphasized that the next few weeks are critical for the team, as they face nine games against playoff teams in their next 13 games. With only three points in three games, a win, a loss, and an overtime loss, it is clear that the Predators have a long way to go if they want to climb the standings and avoid significant roster or coaching changes before November.