Marco Kasper helps propel Red Wings past Predators 4-2 in March 2 Nashville matinee

Detroit turns a special-start showcase into a road win at Bridgestone Arena

The Detroit Red Wings defeated the Nashville Predators 4-2 on Monday afternoon, March 2, 2026, at Bridgestone Arena, using a decisive second period to reverse a one-goal deficit and close out a matinee start time that was scheduled for international broadcast windows.

Forward Marco Kasper did not score, but recorded two assists and was directly involved in two pivotal sequences: the opening goal that gave Detroit an early lead and the short-handed rush that produced the eventual game-winner.

How the scoring unfolded

• First period: Emmitt Finnie opened the scoring at 4:51, finishing a rebound chance created on a play involving Mason Appleton and Kasper. Nashville tied the game late in the period on a power-play goal by Filip Forsberg at 17:02.

• Second period: Jonathan Marchessault put Nashville ahead at 7:10, but Detroit answered at 9:45 when Lucas Raymond scored off a rush setup involving Alex DeBrincat. Detroit then went in front for good at 16:36 when defenseman Albert Johansson scored short-handed on a 2-on-1 with Kasper.

• Third period: Detroit protected the lead and added an empty-net goal by DeBrincat at 19:33.

Goaltending shift changes the texture of the game

Detroit’s win came with an in-game adjustment in net. Starting goaltender John Gibson left after the first period with an upper-body injury. He allowed one goal on 11 shots before exiting. Cam Talbot took over and finished the game, stopping 18 of 19 shots, including a clean third period as Nashville pressed for an equalizer.

Kasper’s role: two assists and a short-handed turning point

Kasper’s two assists reflected a game in which Detroit’s impact plays came from different parts of the lineup. His first assist came on Finnie’s early rebound finish. His second arrived in the most consequential moment of the afternoon: the short-handed sequence that created Johansson’s go-ahead goal late in the second period.

That play also became a focal point of postgame discussion because Nashville believed a tripping infraction occurred along the boards immediately before Detroit’s rush developed. Nashville captain Roman Josi acknowledged he thought the contact was a trip while also stating it was not the reason for the loss, pointing instead to areas Nashville could have executed better over the course of the game.

Nashville generated late opportunities but did not score in the third, as Detroit’s relief goaltending and structure held through the final minutes.

What the result means

The outcome handed Nashville a regulation loss to open a back-to-back and snapped a home opportunity against an Eastern Conference opponent. For Detroit, the win showed depth contributions (Finnie’s opener, Johansson’s short-handed winner) alongside top-line production from Raymond and DeBrincat, while Kasper’s two-assist afternoon underscored his involvement in key transitional and special-teams moments.