In the early stages of what appears to be another ugly season for the Nashville Predators, forward Matthew Wood is offering the team’s fans at least one reason for excitement.

The 2023 first-round pick is making an early offensive impact on the NHL level, something many of his fellow top selections in the Nashville organization have failed to do in recent years.

Wood made his latest statement Monday night in the Predators’ 6-3 loss to the New York Rangers, becoming just the second rookie in franchise history to record a hat trick.

Blake Geoffrion was the first, as he posted a three-goal game against Buffalo in 2011.

In addition, Wood became the NHL’s first rookie of the 2025-26 season to register a hat trick.

“Yeah, obviously a tough game, but I think we battled in the third [period],

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