Predators lose 3-2 to Stars in overtime after early two-goal lead disappears in Dallas

Dallas completes three-goal comeback as Nashville drops another tight result against a Central Division contender

The Nashville Predators surrendered a 2-0 first-period advantage and fell 3-2 in overtime to the Dallas Stars on Saturday night at American Airlines Center, with Jason Robertson scoring 1:47 into the extra session. The loss left Nashville with a single standings point after leading through the opening 20 minutes and put the game’s defining moments on special teams and second-chance chances.

Nashville’s early control came with two goals in a span of 1:09 late in the first. Michael Bunting opened the scoring on the power play at 14:26, finishing from the left circle. Steven Stamkos made it 2-0 at 15:35, converting after a turnover at the blue line; the goal marked his 30th of the season. Luke Evangelista assisted on both Nashville goals, providing the primary playmaking in the opening period.

Dallas responded by steadily erasing the deficit. Wyatt Johnston cut the lead to 2-1 with a power-play goal at 16:18 of the second period, a shift that also reflected a broader change in momentum: Nashville generated only four shots on goal in the second, limiting its ability to extend the lead or reset the game at five-on-five.

The equalizer arrived at 5:31 of the third when Nathan Bastian scored off a rebound created by a Thomas Harley shot, tying the game 2-2 and forcing overtime. In net, Juuse Saros finished with 22 saves for Nashville, while Jake Oettinger made 25 saves for Dallas.

Overtime ended quickly. Robertson converted a cross-crease feed from Miro Heiskanen at the right post, sealing Dallas’ 3-2 win and extending the Stars’ winning streak to eight games. The result also continued a season pattern in the head-to-head series: Dallas has found ways to win close games against Nashville even after early deficits.

Nashville built its margin on a power-play strike and a quick follow-up goal, but Dallas answered with a power-play marker of its own and a third-period rebound finish before ending the game on a net-front overtime play.

Key takeaways from the game flow

• Special teams shaped the comeback. Each club scored on the power play, and Dallas’ second-period power-play goal narrowed the game enough to keep the Stars within a single shift of tying it.

• Shot volume swung after the first period. Nashville’s second-period output (four shots) coincided with Dallas’ push and reduced the Predators’ margin for error.

• Rebounds and net-front execution decided it. Dallas’ tying goal came off a rebound in regulation, and the winner was finished from in tight in overtime.

Nashville returns home with points gained but another missed opportunity to close out a lead against a division opponent, a recurring pressure point as the regular season advances and the standings tighten.