The Nashville Predators travel to face the Vegas Golden Knights in a Western Conference matchup on New Year’s Eve. The Predators, sitting fifth in the Central Division, aim to build on a recent win and improve their road form against a Golden Knights squad that’s third in the Pacific but grappling with significant injuries. With Vegas missing key pieces like Shea Theodore and William Karlsson, and Nashville potentially without depth forwards, this game could hinge on goaltending and special teams. Expect a gritty contest, as both teams have shown defensive resilience lately, though Vegas’ home dominance gives them an edge.
Venue Location
T-Mobile Arena, Paradise (Las Vegas), Nevada. This 18,203-capacity venue, opened in 2017, is renowned for its electric atmosphere and state-of-the-art facilities, hosting high-energy NHL games.
Puckdrop is scheduled for 3:00 PM ET (12:00 PM PT). The afternoon game will be broadcast on FDSNSO, SCRIPPS, SN, TVAS, and streaming on ESPN+.
Injury Report
Both teams are dealing with absences that could impact depth and special teams, with Vegas hit harder on the blue line and in the forward group.
Nashville Predators:
Zachary L’Heureux (F): Out (Lower Body) – Expected to miss 4-6 weeks.
Cole Smith (F): Out (Upper Body) – Expected to miss 3-6 weeks.
Roman Josi (D): Questionable (Upper Body) – Week-to-week, game-time decision.
Colton Sissons (C): Questionable (Illness) – Day-to-day.
The Predators’ forward depth is tested, potentially increasing minutes for Steven Stamkos and Filip Forsberg.
Vegas Golden Knights:
Shea Theodore (D): Out (Upper Body) – On IR, expected out until at least late January.
William Karlsson (C): Out (Lower Body) – On IR, missing Olympics, long-term absence.
Adin Hill (G): Out (Lower Body) – Sidelined, with Logan Thompson likely starting.
Jack Eichel (C): Questionable (Lower Body/Illness) – Missed six games, game-time decision but could return.
Vegas’ blue line and center depth are depleted, forcing reliance on younger players like Brayden McNabb.
Key Player Matchups
Projected starting goalies: Juuse Saros (NSH, 12-12-3, 2.75 GAA) vs. Logan Thompson (VGK, 10-5-4, 2.65 GAA). This interconference game features offensive stars against defensive standouts, with injuries shifting responsibilities.
Filip Forsberg (NSH) vs. Mark Stone (VGK): Forsberg’s scoring touch (20 goals) faces Stone’s elite two-way play (strong takeaways). Stone must disrupt Forsberg’s one-timers on the power play.
Steven Stamkos (NSH) vs. Tomas Hertl (VGK): Stamkos’ veteran savvy (recent two-goal game) clashes with Hertl’s faceoff prowess (55% wins). With Karlsson out, Hertl takes on more center duties.
Roman Josi (NSH, if available) vs. Jack Eichel (VGK, if available): Josi’s puck-moving (top D scorer) vs. Eichel’s speed (25 points). If both play, this could dictate transition play; otherwise, Nashville’s blue line thins.
Defensive Pairing: Preds’ Top Pair vs. Knights’ Top Line: Josi (if in) and Alexandre Carrier against Pavel Dorofeyev’s line; Vegas’ physicality aims to wear down Nashville’s forwards.
Nashville’s power play (top-10) could exploit Vegas’ penalty kill weaknesses amid injuries.
The Knights hold a better points percentage, but Nashville has shown resilience in close games.
Recent Team Forms
Nashville has turned a corner with strong offensive outbursts, while Vegas has faltered amid injuries.
Nashville Predators (Last 10 Games: 7-3-0)
Averaging 3.5 GPG, allowing 2.8 (+0.7 margin)
Key wins: 4-3 vs. Utah (Dec 29), Stamkos’ two goals; 7-3 vs. Blues (Dec 15), Forsberg’s hat trick.
Losses: Defensive slips in OT games.
Form: W-L-W-W-W (Five wins in last seven; elite PP at 25%, Saros .920 SV% recently).
Vegas Golden Knights (Last 10 Games: 5-2-3)
Averaging 3.2 GPG, allowing 3.0 (+0.2 margin)
Key wins: Blowouts earlier in December; resilient OT points.
Losses: 5-2 vs. Wild (Dec 29), defensive breakdowns; 1-3-2 in last six.
Form: L-W-OTL-W-L (Inconsistent; Stone leading with 10 points in 10, but PK at 75%).
Series History
The Golden Knights lead the all-time series 12-9 in 21 regular-season meetings. Vegas has won the last two after Nashville’s three-game streak, including a 5-3 victory on April 12, 2025. In the past 10 encounters, Vegas holds a 6-4 edge. Games often trend under the total (6 of last 8), averaging 5.8 goals, with the road team winning 7 of the last 10. Nashville’s last win in Vegas was March 29, 2025 (3-1).
Betting Trends
VGK 4-1 ATS last 5; 3-2 SU last 5 home. NSH 7-3 ATS last 10; 4-1 SU when scoring 3+ goals. Under in 6/8 recent H2H; over in 4/6 VGK home games. Predators 3-2 ATS as +150 or more underdogs; Knights 6-4 SU vs. Central.
Game Odds
Nashville Predators 6.5
Vegas Golden Knights – 205
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Tuesday, December 30, 2025
