Coleman nets winner as Minnesota Wild open season with 3-1 victory over Nashville Predators

By Vancouver Television Sports Desk

Blake Coleman turned a Minnesota homecoming into a fast start, scoring the game-winning goal in his Wild debut as Minnesota defeated the Nashville Predators 3-1 in both teams’ season opener at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville on Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026. The result capped a night in which the Wild created separation early and managed Nashville’s response despite a late surge in the final minutes.

Nick Foligno gave Minnesota a 1-0 lead at 9:35 of the first period, converting a rebound off a shot from Michael McCarron. The play developed in the high slot after the rebound was slowed by Nashville forward Matthew Wood diving through the area, and Foligno collected the puck for a wrist shot that beat Juuse Saros glove-side.

Minnesota’s second goal arrived on the power play at 13:48 of the first period, with Coleman finishing a two-man setup. Coleman received a pass from Bobby Brink and scored from in tight, going backhand-to-forehand to lift the puck over Saros’ right pad.

Coleman’s appearance marked a significant addition to the Wild roster ahead of the season. The forward was acquired from the Calgary Flames on July 2, along with defenseman Olli Maatta, in exchange for three NHL draft picks and defenseman Jake Middleton. The trade set the stage for Coleman to make an immediate impact on opening night.

Nashville saw its bid to pull closer in the second period, but a potential third Minnesota goal was wiped out after a successful challenge. Yakov Trenin appeared to extend the lead to 3-0 with a shot that went in off the left post at 15:05, but the goal was overturned because the Predators challenged a Ryan Hartman interference call involving Saros. With the review outcome, the score remained 2-0 at the end of the first.

The Predators reduced the deficit at 9:23 of the second period when Roman Josi scored to make it 2-1. Filip Forsberg sent the puck into the right face-off circle, and Josi one-timed it from a sharp angle off Jesper Wallstedt’s glove just three seconds after a Minnesota power play expired, catching the Wild as they transitioned back to five-on-five.

The timing of the goal continued a notable storyline for Josi. The captain opened his 16th season with Nashville, passing David Legwand for the most seasons in Predators franchise history, with Josi reaching that mark while Legwand held the previous record with 15.

Late in the second period, Minnesota had additional chances to restore breathing room. Coleman created a scoring opportunity again at 11:33 after receiving a pass from Matt Boldy on a 2-on-0 break, but Saros stopped the attempt with a pad save.

Jesper Wallstedt, who started in goal for Minnesota, finished the night with 19 saves. For Nashville, Saros made 27 saves as the Predators spent long stretches trying to find a sustained response after Minnesota established the two-goal lead.

Kaprizov restored the two-goal advantage at 4:42 of the third period when he pushed the score to 3-1. The goal came from a tip of a point shot by Quinn Hughes, with Kaprizov redirecting the puck past Saros to seal Minnesota’s control of the game.

With the score secured in the final frame, Minnesota held on to complete the season-opening victory. The win gave the Wild a strong early benchmark while also putting the Predators’ season opener firmly in the opening-night category, as both clubs began their respective schedules with the Thursday matchup.

Beyond the final score, the game featured individual milestones and roster movement that tied directly to the season’s first night. Josi notched his franchise-record-tying career milestone across his first shift with the team in 2026-27, while Coleman—arriving from Calgary earlier in the offseason—delivered the decisive goal in his first appearance in a Wild uniform.

For Nashville, the night still included key contributions from its star group, including Josi’s second-period goal and overall goaltending from Saros. For Minnesota, the combination of special teams, timely finishing by Foligno and Coleman, and a third-period push from Kaprizov defined the outcome as the Wild began the season with a 3-1 victory.