The Predators vs Maple Leafs matchup Tuesday brings two teams still searching for footing just days into the 2026-27 season. Nashville (1-1-0) visits Toronto (1-2-0) at Scotiabank Arena, and the biggest question entering puck drop is whether the Maple Leafs’ injury-thinned blue line can slow down Juuse Saros and a Predators club that just snapped a two-game slide.
Predators Vs Maple Leafs Game Information
- Date: Tuesday, Oct. 6
- Time: 7 p.m. ET
- Venue: Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, ON
- TV/Streaming: ESPN+, Scripps Sports
- Series: First meeting of the 2026-27 season
How Banged Up Is Toronto’s Blue Line?
The Maple Leafs are missing three defensemen: Cade Webber (elbow) and William Villeneuve (knee surgery) are both on injured reserve with projected returns around Oct. 31. Toronto is also without centers Dakota Joshua (abdomen, projected back Oct. 24) and Max Domi (back surgery, projected return Nov. 21), thinning out the middle of the lineup as well.
Despite the absences, William Nylander leads the Maple Leafs with two goals and three points. Morgan Rielly leads Toronto with three assists, a sign the remaining defense corps is still generating offense even with reinforcements sidelined.
Who Starts In Net?
Sergei Bobrovsky is the projected starting goalie for Toronto, which has allowed seven goals on 80 shots for a .913 save percentage through its first three games. For Nashville, Juuse Saros is listed as the probable starter. Backup Justus Annunen is day-to-day with an undisclosed issue. Saros has been the far sturdier option early, with Nashville’s goaltending posting a .933 save percentage and allowing just four goals on 60 shots this season.
Can Nashville Build On Its Win Over Dallas?
The Predators enter on a one-game winning streak after beating the Dallas Stars 2-1 on Oct. 4, a result that followed lopsided losses to Carolina (6-5 and 6-0) and a 3-1 defeat to Minnesota. That inconsistency has been the story of Nashville’s start, but the underlying numbers tell a different tale: the Predators have been stingier defensively than their record suggests, posting a 2.00 goals-against average compared to Toronto’s 2.33.
Offensively, Nashville leans on Steven Stamkos, who leads the team with two points, while captain Roman Josi has a goal and an assist. The Predators have won more faceoffs than they’ve lost (61 to 54, 53%), a discipline edge that could matter against a Toronto team that has struggled to retain possession after the draw.s start, but the underlying numbers tell a different tale: the Predators have been stingier defensively than their record suggests, posting a 2.00 goals-against average compared to Toronto’s 2.33.
The Predators have also won more faceoffs than they’ve lost (61-54, 53%), a discipline edge that could matter against a Toronto team that has struggled to retain possession after the draw.
By The Numbers
- Goals (season total): Toronto 6, Nashville 3
- Points (season total): Toronto 18, Nashville 9
- Shots on goal (season total): Toronto 83, Nashville 46
- Shooting percentage: Toronto 7.2%, Nashville 6.5%
- Save percentage: Nashville .933, Toronto .913
- Goals against average: Nashville 2.00, Toronto 2.33
- Faceoff percentage: Nashville 53.0%, Toronto 47.0%
- Power-play goals: Toronto 2, Nashville 2
- Penalty minutes: Toronto 26, Nashville 10
Key Matchup: Saros Against A Shorthanded Toronto Attack
With Toronto’s defense already missing three bodies, the Maple Leafs’ forward group has carried extra weight in transition, and Nylander’s two goals suggest the top-six is finding chances. Saros gives Nashville a goaltender capable of neutralizing that firepower even if the Predators’ own offense remains inconsistent. How Toronto’s remaining defensemen handle zone exits against Nashville’s forecheck, which has won more faceoffs than it has lost, could decide whether the Maple Leafs can generate enough clean looks to beat Saros more than once or twice.
What To Watch
Both teams sit near the bottom of their divisions early: Nashville is fifth in the Central with two points, and Toronto is tied for sixth in the Atlantic with two points. A win Tuesday would not change the standings dramatically this early, but it would offer each club a measuring-stick result after uneven starts.
Toronto looks to snap a pattern of alternating wins and losses that has defined its first three games. The Predators return home to face Dallas on Saturday.
Reporting from theScore contributed to this story. Official statistics: ESPN (official league data).
