Detroit Red Wings vs Nashville Predators November 26, 2025 Game Review
Final Score: Predators 6, Red Wings 3
In a matchup at Little Caesars Arena on Wednesday evening, the Nashville Predators overcame the Detroit Red Wings with a dominant third-period performance, scoring five goals in the final frame to secure a 6-3 victory.
Game Flow
The contest began with Nashville taking an early advantage, as Michael Bunting notched his 100th NHL goal on a power play at 15:48 of the first period, tipping in Nick Blankenburg’s shot past Red Wings goaltender Cam Talbot.
Detroit responded in the second period with two power-play goals. Alex DeBrincat, who has been on fire with eight goals in his last eight games, tied the game at 5:30. James van Riemsdyk then gave the Red Wings a 2-1 lead at 16:34, converting on a rebound after a setup from Patrick Kane.
The third period featured an offensive explosion, with three goals scored in just 59 seconds early in the frame. Nick Blankenburg tied the game at 2:05 with a spectacular backhand shot after splitting the Red Wings defense. Just 15 seconds later, Roman Josi gave Nashville a 3-2 lead, only for Detroit’s Ben Chiarot to equalize at 3:04 with a point shot through traffic.
The Predators pulled away in the final minutes when Ryan O’Reilly capitalized on a rebound at 14:14, followed by Erik Haula extending the lead to 5-3 at 14:42. Steven Stamkos sealed the victory with an empty-net goal at 18:45.
Standout Performances
Ryan O’Reilly was the game’s first star, recording a goal and two assists in the third period alone. His leadership proved crucial as Nashville snapped a three-game losing streak.
Nick Blankenburg, playing in his hometown, had a memorable night with a goal and an assist. The Michigan native mentioned having over 50 friends and family members in attendance, making his performance particularly special.
Erik Haula rounded out the three stars with a goal and an assist, while goaltender Justus Annunen made 28 saves to secure the win for Nashville.
Key Moments
The turning point came during the third period offensive surge. Nashville’s ability to respond quickly after Detroit tied the game at 3-3 demonstrated their resilience. O’Reilly’s go-ahead goal at 14:14 shifted momentum decisively in the Predators’ favor.
Red Wings coach Todd McLellan expressed disappointment with his team’s performance, noting they “gave up goals in every way possible – 4-on-4, face-off coverage, off a rush and off a d-zone breakdown.”
Impact on Standings
With this victory, the Predators improved their record to 7-12-4, giving them a much-needed win after losing eight of their previous nine games. Meanwhile, the Red Wings dropped to 13-10-1, having lost three of their last four contests.
Fan Experience
The game drew a crowd of 19,515 at Little Caesars Arena. Blankenburg’s performance was particularly meaningful for local fans, as the defenseman mentioned he might have had “100 people in total” from his personal connections in attendance.
Nashville coach Andrew Burnette summed up the importance of the win: “This was huge for us. It feels like we’ve been in a million games like this, where we struggled to get a second goal to help us put it away. Tonight, we got rewarded.”
This victory gives the Predators a 1-0 lead in the season series against Detroit, with the teams scheduled to meet again on March 2, 2026.
Photos: Tim Jarrold – In Play! magazine
