The Vegas Golden Knights travel to Nashville to face the Nashville Predators on March 21, 2026, in an important NHL regular-season matchup at Bridgestone Arena. Puck drop is scheduled for 2:00 PM EDT, and the game will be streamed on ESPN+. Both teams are in the middle of a tight playoff race, which makes this contest extremely important for their postseason hopes.
Vegas enter the game after a frustrating stretch where the team has struggled to score. For the first time in four years, the Golden Knights have played two straight games without scoring a goal, and their scoreless streak has now crossed more than two periods of play. However, the overall numbers still suggest that Vegas remain a strong team capable of turning things around quickly. They have been creating chances, outshooting opponents and maintaining good puck control in faceoffs, even if the goals have not come recently.
Nashville, on the other hand, have gained momentum at the right time. The Predators have won back-to-back games and are now just one point away from a playoff position. Their attack has been productive, led by experienced players like Ryan O’Reilly, Filip Forsberg and Steven Stamkos. However, Nashville’s defensive numbers at home remain a concern, as they concede more than three goals per game at Bridgestone Arena.
This game brings together two teams with very different recent trends. Vegas are trying to end their scoring drought and maintain their playoff spot, while Nashville are attempting to ride their recent winning streak and push into the top eight. With both teams motivated and talented players on each roster, this matchup could become one of the most entertaining NHL games of the day.
Match Information
| Match | Vegas Golden Knights vs Nashville Predators |
|---|---|
| Date | March 21, 2026 |
| Time | 2:00 PM EDT |
| Venue | Bridgestone Arena |
| Location | Nashville, Tennessee |
| Broadcast | ESPN+ |
Current Betting Odds
| Market | Golden Knights | Predators |
|---|---|---|
| Spread | -1.5 (+187) | +1.5 (-231) |
| Moneyline | -131 | +110 |
| Total Goals | – | 6.5 |
Vegas enter the matchup as slight favorites on the moneyline, while the total for the game is set at 6.5 goals.
Recent Form
Nashville Predators – Last 5 Games
| Date | Opponent | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Mar 20, 2026 | Seattle Kraken | Win 3–1 |
| Mar 18, 2026 | Winnipeg Jets | Win 4–3 (OT) |
| Mar 16, 2026 | Edmonton Oilers | Loss 1–3 |
| Mar 13, 2026 | Vancouver Canucks | Loss 3–4 |
| Mar 11, 2026 | Seattle Kraken | Win 4–2 |
Nashville have shown strong fight recently, winning two games in a row and staying alive in the playoff race.
Vegas Golden Knights – Last 5 Games
| Date | Opponent | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Mar 20, 2026 | Utah Mammoth | Loss 0–4 |
| Mar 18, 2026 | Buffalo Sabres | Loss 0–2 |
| Mar 15, 2026 | Chicago Blackhawks | Win 4–0 |
| Mar 13, 2026 | Pittsburgh Penguins | Win 6–2 |
| Mar 11, 2026 | Dallas Stars | Loss 1–2 |
Vegas have struggled offensively in their last two games but had strong wins earlier in the month.
Head-to-Head Record
Over the past few seasons, the matchup between Nashville and Vegas has been very competitive.
| Date | Result |
|---|---|
| Jan 18, 2026 | Vegas 7 – Nashville 2 |
| Jan 1, 2026 | Nashville 4 – Vegas 2 |
| Apr 13, 2025 | Vegas 5 – Nashville 3 |
| Mar 30, 2025 | Nashville 1 – Vegas 3 |
| Jan 15, 2025 | Nashville 5 – Vegas 3 |
Both teams have shared wins in recent meetings, showing how evenly matched this rivalry has been.
Key Players to Watch
Nashville Predators
| Player | Key Contribution |
|---|---|
| Ryan O’Reilly | Team leader with 62 points |
| Filip Forsberg | 30 goals this season |
| Steven Stamkos | Leading goal scorer with 31 goals |
| Ryan Ufko | Defenseman with strong recent scoring form |
Vegas Golden Knights
| Player | Key Contribution |
|---|---|
| Jack Eichel | 74 points in 61 games |
| Pavel Dorofeyev | Team leader with 34 goals |
| Keegan Kolesar | Physical forward and depth scorer |
These players could have a major impact on the outcome of the game.
Goaltending Matchup
| Team | Goalie | Save % | GAA |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nashville | Juuse Saros | 91.0% | 2.79 |
| Nashville | Justus Annunen | 92.7% | 2.05 |
| Vegas | Adin Hill | 87.8% | 2.67 |
| Vegas | Akira Schmid | 89.4% | 2.52 |
Nashville’s goaltenders have been slightly more consistent recently, while Vegas have seen mixed performances in net.
Team Leaders
| Team | Player | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville | Ryan O’Reilly | 62 |
| Nashville | Filip Forsberg | 58 |
| Vegas | Jack Eichel | 74 |
| Vegas | Pavel Dorofeyev | 34 goals |
These players drive their teams’ offensive production.
Predicted Lineups
| Vegas Golden Knights | Nashville Predators |
|---|---|
| Dorofeyev – Eichel – Kolesar | Forsberg – O’Reilly – Stamkos |
| Marchessault – Karlsson – Barbashev | Novak – Evangelista – Nyquist |
| McNabb – Pietrangelo | Josi – Carrier |
| Hill (G) | Saros (G) |
Line combinations may change slightly depending on coaching adjustments.
Key Match Stats
| Category | Vegas | Nashville |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Goals Per Game | 2.97 | 3.03 |
| Avg Goals Allowed | 3.06 | 3.26 |
| Road Scoring (Vegas) | 2.97 | — |
| Home Defense (Nashville) | — | 3.26 GA |
Vegas have struggled recently on offense, while Nashville’s defense at home has been inconsistent.
Player Prop Picks
| Player | Pick |
|---|---|
| Jack Eichel | Over 0.5 Points |
| Filip Forsberg | Anytime Goal |
| Ryan O’Reilly | Over 0.5 Points |
These players are the most likely to produce offensively in this matchup.
Best Betting Picks
| Bet Type | Pick |
|---|---|
| Moneyline | Golden Knights |
| Spread | Golden Knights -1.5 |
| Total | Under 6.5 |
| Special Pick | Vegas Team Total Under 3 |
Vegas are expected to bounce back after two scoreless games, but the matchup could still remain relatively low scoring.
How to Watch Golden Knights vs Predators
Fans can watch the game live on ESPN+. The matchup takes place at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, with puck drop scheduled for 2:00 PM EDT.
Final Prediction
Both teams enter the game with very different recent momentum. Nashville are riding a two-game winning streak and are close to a playoff spot, while Vegas are trying to end a rare scoring drought. However, the Golden Knights still have strong underlying numbers and one of the most balanced rosters in the league.
Because of their overall quality and motivation to break the losing trend, Vegas may have the edge in this matchup. Expect a competitive game where the Golden Knights finally find the back of the net again.
Predicted Score
Vegas Golden Knights 3 – Nashville Predators 2







