Predators Edge Lightning 2–1 Behind Crouse, Jarry in Defensive Duel

Nashville, TN — The Nashville Predators turned in one of their most disciplined efforts of the young season Tuesday night, riding goals from Reilly Smith and Lawson Crouse, along with a sterling 25-save performance from Tristan Jarry, to a 2–1 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning at Bridgestone Arena.

It wasn’t flashy, but it was efficient — a tight, grind-it-out win emblematic of Lane Lambert’s defensive identity. Nashville limited Tampa Bay’s top guns to the perimeter, blocked 16 shots, and got timely scoring from its veteran forwards.

“We didn’t give them much in the middle of the ice,” Lambert said. “That’s Predators hockey — structure, discipline, and guys buying in.”

The Predators struck first midway through the opening frame when Smith finished a cross-crease feed from Nino Niederreiter, with Crouse creating havoc in front. The trio would link up again early in the second period — this time Crouse burying a rebound from Ilya Lyubushkin’s point shot to make it 2–0.

Tampa Bay answered later in the frame as David Pastrnak wired his seventh of the season through a screen, but that was all Jarry would allow. The Predators’ netminder was poised and calm throughout, turning aside several late looks from Connor Bedard and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins to preserve the win.

“I thought we kept our heads when they pushed,” Jarry said. “We didn’t panic — just played our game and got it done.”

Lawson Crouse earned the game’s first star with a goal and assist, while Smith and Jarry rounded out the three-star selections. The Predators finished 0-for-4 on the power play but were perfect on the penalty kill, holding Tampa Bay’s potent unit to just two shots.

The victory pushed Nashville to 4–7–0 on the season.

“It’s good to win games like this,” Smith said afterward. “Not every night’s going to be wide open. Sometimes you’ve just got to grind it out.”

The Predators next travel to Philadelphia to take on the Flyers