NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Steven Stamkos rediscovered his scoring touch with a four-goal outing Thursday night, and it’s no coincidence that the Nashville Predators‘ trajectory is suddenly pointing up.

After a slow start to the season, Stamkos now has eight goals in his past eight outings, which coincides with the Predators going 6-2 over that stretch following a 7-2 win over the St. Louis Blues.

“I’m going to have to remember what I ate for breakfast. When you get to my age sometimes you forget,” said the 35-year-old, who opened the season with four goals in his first 22 games. “Sometimes you feel the legs are feeling light and tonight, when you score one early in the game, I think that’s the feeling you have. And it was nice to contribute in a big win for our group.”

The four-goal outing was the second of Stamkos’ 18-year career. He previously scored four times in a 7-4 win at Edmonton on Dec. 14, 2023, while with the Tampa Bay Lightning. And he became just the fourth Predators player to score four times, joining Filip Forsberg and Rocco Grimaldi (both in 2021) and Eric Nystrom (2014).

Stamkos opened the scoring 8:22 in by batting in his own rebound on a 2-on-1 break. He made it 2-0 less than three minutes later by converting a rebound in front after Jordan Binnington stopped Roman Josi’s initial shot from the blue line.

He then completed his 15th career hat trick with a shot from the high slot that deflected in off the skate of Blues defenseman Justin Faulk 12:06 into the second period. And his fourth goal made it 6-2 and came 3:27 later, when Josi’s shot deflected onto Stamkos’ stick in front, from where he backhanded it in behind Binnington.

It was his 102nd career multigoal game, the third-most among active players behind only Alex Ovechkin (181) and Sidney Crosby (110). And he became the first player age 35-or-older with a 4-goal game since Anze Kopitar in 2023.

Stamkos, the No. 1 pick in the 2008 draft, also is closing in on becoming the 22nd player to reach 600 goals. Stamkos now has 594, leaving him seven short of matching Jari Kurri.

“It’s a little surreal, to be honest, when you look at the history of this league and how many great players there’s been,” he said of the milestone.

What mattered more was the win.

In his second season in Nashville, Stamkos was part of the Predators’ 2024 offseason major spending spree that failed to pan out with the team missing the playoffs last season. Nashville (12-14-4) followed by getting off to a slow start to this season before its recent run inching the team closer into contention.

“It hasn’t quite worked out the way that we wanted to in terms of the success we’ve had as a team. But we’re rolling right now,” Stamkos said. “I think we’re playing some hockey that people probably expected us to play, and expected of ourselves. And we want to keep that going.”

Information from ESPN Research and The Associated Press was used in this report.

Former Michigan football coach Sherrone Moore, who remains in custody as a suspect in an alleged assault, is expected to appear in court for arraignment on Friday, the Pittsfield Charter Township (Michigan) Department of Public Safety announced Thursday.

The Washtenaw County Prosecutor’s Office told ESPN that it does not expect a decision Thursday on whether to file criminal charges against Moore. Authorities have yet to release details about Moore’s arrest, other than to say that he remains under investigation.

Moore was incarcerated at the Washtenaw County Jail on Wednesday, just hours after he was fired as the Wolverines’ football coach for having what the school said was an “inappropriate relationship with a staff member.”

“The matter involving Mr. Moore remains under active investigation by law enforcement, and as a result, we do not expect charging decisions or an arraignment today,” Washtenaw County Prosecutor’s Office spokesperson Liz Mack said Thursday. “Mr. Moore remains in custody at the Washtenaw County Jail.”

Pittsfield police released a statement Wednesday night saying they responded at 4:10 p.m. to the 3000 block of Ann Arbor Saline Road “for the purposes of investigating an alleged assault. … A suspect in this case was taken into custody. This incident does not appear to be random in nature, and there appears to be no ongoing threat to the community.”

Moore was initially detained by police in Saline, Michigan, on Wednesday and turned over to authorities in Pittsfield Township “for investigation into potential charges.”

Michigan fired Moore on Wednesday following an investigation into his conduct with a staff member.

“U-M head football coach Sherrone Moore has been terminated, with cause, effective immediately,” the school said in a statement. “Following a University investigation, credible evidence was found that Coach Moore engaged in an inappropriate relationship with a staff member.”

The university initially investigated Moore this fall after receiving a tip about the situation but did not find credible evidence of wrongdoing, a source told ESPN. More information came forward Wednesday that the source said was “overwhelming” and led to Moore’s immediate dismissal.

Moore, 39, spent two seasons as Michigan’s coach after serving as the team’s offensive coordinator.

South Carolina star cornerback Brandon Cisse is leaving school early to declare for the NFL draft, he told ESPN.

Cisse projects as a first-round pick and will be considered among the top corners in the upcoming draft class. ESPN’s Field Yates projected him as the 29th overall pick in his most recent mock draft.

“It’s definitely been a special feeling,” Cisse told ESPN about his decision. “It’s something I prayed for my whole life. I’m excited to fulfill my lifelong dream.”

Cisse leaves South Carolina after one season there, as he spent his first two at North Carolina State. He had five pass breakups this season, one forced fumble and one interception. He also broke up five passes at NC State in 2024, where he emerged as a rising star in the ACC before transferring back to his home state.

He emerged as one of the top cover corners in the SEC this year, allowing a completion percentage of less than 40%. He’s 6-foot, 190 pounds and thrived in man coverage for the Gamecocks this season.

When asked what the NFL was getting, Cisse told ESPN: “Someone that can play man-to-man is very versatile, a football junkie who cares about his teammates more than himself. Some who loves football, is a great teammate and will do anything for program and organization.”

Cisse is from Sumter, South Carolina, and said he appreciated the opportunity to play his final season in his home state. He made a point to thank his family, coaches and academic advisers.

“I loved my experience here,” he said. “I think it was the best decision I made for my college experience. It was great to live out a lifelong dream to come play here.”

Cisse isn’t the only Gamecocks defensive back to enter the draft Thursday. Jalon Kilgore told ESPN that he is leaving school early and declaring for the NFL draft. Kilgore played nickel primarily at South Carolina and is ranked as Mel Kiper’s No. 9 safety prospect in the upcoming draft.