Stamkos Seals Nashville's 5-4 Thriller Over Tampa in Shootout

Game Overview

The Nashville Predators secured a narrow victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning with a final score of 5-4 on Saturday, October 31, 2026. The contest required a shootout to determine the winner after regulation and overtime ended in a tie. Steven Stamkos provided the decisive moment for Nashville, scoring the only goal of the extra-session phase to lift his team past their visiting opponents.

Regulation and Overtime Action

Nashville, playing at home at Bridgestone Arena, struck first when Reid Schaefer scored a wrist shot in the opening period. Alexander Kerfoot and Nick Perbix recorded assists for the early lead. Tampa Bay responded quickly within the same frame as John Carlson tied the game with a wrist shot, assisted by Nikita Kucherov and Charle-Edouard D'Astous.

The second period saw both teams trade goals to keep the score level. Jake Guentzel gave Tampa Bay the lead with a tip-in goal, supported by assists from Carlson and Kucherov. Nashville answered almost immediately as Adam Edstrom tied the game with a snap shot, aided by Brady Skjei and Perbix.

Victor Hedman restored Tampa's advantage with a wrist shot assisted by Kucherov and Brayden Point. However, Jayden Struble leveled the score again for Nashville with a wrist shot, assisted by Adam Wilsby and Filip Forsberg.

In the third period, Conor Geekie put Nashville ahead for the first time in the game with a wrist shot, with Jeff Viel providing the assist. Tampa Bay fought back to tie the contest at 4-4 when Steven Stamkos scored a wrist shot, assisted by Forsberg and Ryan O'Reilly. The teams remained deadlocked through overtime, forcing a shootout.

Shootout Decider

With regulation time exhausted and no goals scored in the extra period, the game moved to a penalty shootout. Steven Stamkos emerged as the hero for Nashville, scoring a backhand goal in the shootout round. This single play determined the outcome, resulting in a 5-4 final victory for the home team.

Statistical Leaders and Records

Key individual performances included Filip Forsberg of Nashville, who recorded two points on the night. Reid Schaefer scored one goal, while Nick Perbix contributed two assists. For Tampa Bay, Nikita Kucherov led all players with three points, including three assists. John Carlson added a goal and an assist for the Lightning.

The win improved Nashville's record to 5-4-5, accumulating 15 points. The loss dropped Tampa Bay to 8-3-2, with 18 points in the standings. The game drew an attendance of 17,180 spectators at the Nashville venue.

Sources

ESPN