The Nashville Predators and Dallas Stars were the main NHL event on New Year’s Day, competing in the 2020 Winter Classic. The first period alone featured a little bit of everything, including a Ryan Ellis injury following a Corey Perry elbow to the head, which got him ejected, a penalty shot, power play goals and more. Though Nashville had a two-goal lead, and even a one-goal lead heading into the third period, the Predators fell 4-2 in their first-ever Winter Classic.

Forward Matt Duchene was pleased with the

effort in the first period in response to the Ellis injury, but felt the team backed off, allowing Dallas into the game. Here’s his breakdown of the game.

Mattias Ekholm felt that it was a playoff type game with the physicality and intensity of the game.

Ekholm was also open in sharing his thoughts on the Corey Perry hit on Ryan Ellis. The hit forced Ellis out of the game, and resulted in an ejection for Perry.

Goaltender Pekka Rinne thoroughly enjoyed the atmosphere of the game and felt the team was prepared, had time to relax and not feel rushed before the game…noting that it hurts even more because the game was so special.

Nashville now has two days off before they continue their road trip with back to back games against Los Angeles and Anaheim before coming back home to face Boston.