Hoglander helps Predators edge Stars for first win of season

Nils Hoglander scored his first goal for the Nashville Predators in a 2-1 victory against the Dallas Stars at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville on Saturday.

The 25-year-old forward was acquired from the Vancouver Canucks for a third-round pick in the 2029 NHL Draft on June 29.

Steven Stamkos also scored, and Juuse Saros made 29 saves for the Predators (1-1-0).

“Well earned,” Nashville coach Andrew Brunette said. “I really liked our energy and liked our start. I thought we learned a little bit from two nights ago. So, it was a big win, much needed, and still some things to work on. But, it's a better feeling here.”

Miro Heiskanen scored for the Stars (0-2-0), who lost their season opener to the St. Louis Blues 4-0 at home on Friday. Casey DeSmith made 24 saves.

“We didn’t get going in the first period. It took us a while to stop their momentum,” Dallas coach Glen Gulutzan said. “Halfway through the second, we finally kind of slowed them down a little bit and got our game going. Then in the third, I thought we played better. Just couldn’t find that goal.”

Heiskanen gave the Stars a 1-0 lead just 47 seconds into the first period. After Saros made a save during a net-front scramble, Mikko Rantanen passed to Heiskanen in the right face-off circle for a blocker-side wrist shot.

Stamkos tied it 1-1 while on the power play at 4:46. Ryan O'Reilly threaded a backhand pass through two Dallas defenders for Stamkos, who one-timed a shot from the left circle.

“We had to take advantage of a team that played last night, and I thought we grinded them down,” Stamkos said. “‘Juice’ made some big saves at the end, and we held on to a one-goal lead, which is great for our group moving forward.”

The goal was the 625th in the NHL for the 19-year veteran, tying him with Jerome Iginla and Joe Sakic for 17th on the NHL's all-time list.

“It's cool when you hear those names,” Stamkos said. “Those are guys that certainly, as a Canadian kid growing up, watching those guys play. … I wore 19 as a kid because of Joe Sakic and Steve Yzerman."

Hoglander put Nashville up 2-1 with another power-play goal at 15:49. Jack Ahcan’s shot from the left point deflected into the net off Hoglander’s left skate at the top of the crease.

Achan's assist was his first point with the Predators in his Nashville debut.

“It's just funny how that kind of works out,” Ahcan said. “Just a simple shot to the net, kind of bounces around, bangs around, hits (Hoglander), goes in; sometimes the puck’s lucky on your side. Feels really good to get that done. I'm just happy to play well and get the win for the team.” 

The Stars made a push in the third period, outshooting the Predators 12-6. 

“Obviously, we’re not where we need to be,” Dallas captain Jamie Benn said. “(We’ve had) slow starts. First periods have been terrible. It’s on the players in here.

“It’s got to be 60 minutes right from the drop of the puck. For this group, it’s unacceptable.”

NOTES: Ahcan signed a two-year, two-way contract with Nashville on July 1. ... Predators defenseman William Trudeau had one shot on goal and two blocked shots in 12:15 of ice time in his NHL debut. He was claimed off waivers from the New York Rangers on Sept. 26. ... Stamkos became the third active player to score in at least 500 NHL games. The only others to achieve the feat are Alex Ovechkin (706) and Sidney Crosby (529). ... Forward Alex Kerfoot had an assist on Hoglander's goal for his first point with the Predators. ... Goaltender Matt Murray served as the backup for Nashville after he was recalled from Milwaukee of the American Hockey League on Saturday. Justus Annunen suffered an undisclosed injury in practice on Thursday. ... The Predators dressed 11 forwards and seven defensemen. … With an assist, Dallas forward Wyatt Johnston extended his point streak against Nashville to four games (two goals, four assists.)