Brandon Saad's third hat trick leads Blues to a 4-0 victory over Senators

In Calgary, Alberta, on January 4, 2025, Ryan O'Reilly made headlines by scoring his fifth career NHL hat trick, leading the Nashville Predators to a convincing 4-1 victory over the Calgary Flames. This match marked the Predators' second win in consecutive nights, showing their determination and skill on the ice. O'Reilly's scoring opened early in the second period on the power play, pushing the Predators to a two-goal lead by capitalizing on a defensive mistake by the Flames. The game featured notable performances from rookie Fedor Svechkov, who not only scored but also recorded an assist for his first multi-point game. Filip Forsberg contributed with two assists, demonstrating the Predators' depth in their offensive lineup. The Flames struggled throughout the match, with only Mikael Backlund managing to get on the scoreboard. Goalie Dustin Wolf faced numerous shots, saving 24 attempts but unable to protect his net effectively against an aggressive Predators' attack. Calgary's recent poor form was evident as this loss marked the first time this season the team had experienced two consecutive defeats. Prior to this game, they had developed a habit of conceding power-play goals, which continued this night as they allowed Nashville to score twice while on the man advantage. This alarming trend underscored the Flames' defensive vulnerabilities that need to be addressed in upcoming matches. As both teams head into their next games against different opponents, the Predators will take on Winnipeg, and the Flames will look to regain their footing at Anaheim. The outcome of this game raises questions about Calgary's strategy moving forward and highlights Nashville's potential for a strong run in the ongoing season.