The Nashville Predators earned a victory over the Dallas Stars on Friday night. Ryan O'Reilly stepped up, scoring a goal and three points as Nashville won their fourth game in their last six contests. After the game, O'Reilly took some time to commend the team around him for their hand in the win.

“Obviously, that’s a big win for us,” O’Reilly said, via NHL.com. “I thought we started the game a little slow, but we kind of weathered the storm. Going into that third period, we stuck with it. It was positive we just kept working to get a huge win like that.”

Friday night's win gave the Predators a bit of a cushion in the Western Conference Wild Card race. It also helped the team close the gap between them and the Stars in the Central Division. Nashville, in fourth, is five points back of Dallas for third place.

Ryan O'Reilly, Predators win despite the return of Stars' Jake Oettinger

Article Continues Below
More Nashville Predators News
Pius Suter with question marks around him, Canucks, NHL Free Agency, Free Agent, Pius Suter
3 best Pius Suter destinations in 2025 NHL free agencyBryan Logan ·
Why Predators Should Not Trade Jonathan Marchessault
Why Predators must not trade Jonathan Marchessault in 2025 offseasonRB Hayek ·
Nashville Predators center Jonathan Marchessault (81) salutes the crowd while being recognized for his return to play against the Vegas Golden Knights during the first period at T-Mobile Arena.
Predators rumors: Jonathan Marchessault willing to leave Nashville after just 1 seasonMichael Whitaker ·
Andrew Mangiapane in the center with the Islanders, Predators, and Blue Jackets logo aroind him, Andrew Magipane, NHL Free agency, free agent, washington capitals
3 best Andrew Mangiapane destinations in 2025 NHL free agencyBryan Logan ·
Nashville Predators head coach Andrew Brunette looks on in the first period against the Arizona Coyotes at Mullett Arena
Predators’ Andrew Brunette retained as coach despite frustrating seasonChristopher Hennessy ·
Dallas Stars defenseman Matt Dumba (3) and defenseman Lian Bichsel (6) and right wing Mikko Rantanen (96) celebrates a goal scored by Bichsel against the Nashville Predators during the third period at the American Airlines Center.
Stars’ Mikko Rantanen adds name to Finnish hockey lore in win vs. PredatorsColin Gallant ·

The Stars received a huge boost on Friday night as goalie Jake Oettinger returned to the crease. The 25-year-old puck-stopper hadn't played since December 15 in a 5-4 win against the Ottawa Senators. Oettinger made 32 saves against the Predators in the game.

However, Nashville came away with the two points. O'Reilly scored in the third period after Stars defenseman Jani Hakanpaa pulled Dallas within a goal. The veteran Predators forward went on to provide a helper on Filip Forsberg's goal as well as Gustav Nyquist's empty net goal that put the nail in the proverbial coffin.

Nashville now owns a 23-18-1 record after 42 games this year. They are pushing for a return to the Stanley Cup Playoffs after missing out in 2022-23. The Predators hit the ice once again on Saturday as they take on the New York Islanders with the aim of winning their fifth game in their last seven contests.