The Nashville Predators losing streak was extended to four losing 4-1 to the Anaheim Ducks on Thursday night. Over that span, the Predators have three contests scoring just one goal and one other being a shut out.
“It’s almost like with this group we don’t see the little bit of the danger and the next thing you know you’re back to ground zero again,” head coach Andrew Brunette said. “We aren’t able to get any traction on an identity and on doing things a certain way. When we do sometimes I feel like we’re okay but then we’re back to where we started again.
“Mentally, it’s a drain, and it’s hard, but they’re going to be here a long time where it’s a long time on their contracts. For them, it’s important that as leaders, they have to set a better example going a certain way. Our young guys see that. One that we never want to be here again, but when we are here, we have to handle ourselves with a little bit more professionalism than we are right now.”
Six minutes into Thursday’s contest, Nashville went to the powerplay first on Thursday night as Luke Evangelista was tripped up by Isac Lundestrom. Forward Jonathan Marchessault found Steven Stamkos in his favorite spot for a one-timer to take a 1-0 lead. Stamkos is now one of 10 NHL skaters this season to post at least a dozen powerplay goals.
The Ducks threatened to score on a handful of chances as the first stanza came to a close. Justus Annunen shut the door on 10 shots faced to start his seventh game in Nashville this season.
Anaheim fired back seven minutes into the second frame as Mason McTavish rushed down the ice with Brett Leason and Jackson LaCombe. After McTavish fired a shot on Annunen the loose rebound trickled to the blue paint and LaCombe tapped it in even the score 1-1.
The Ducks weren’t done in the second period as Trevor Zegras hit Troy Terry with a drop pass at the end of a shift. Terry fired a wrist shot to the top right corner giving Anaheim its first lead of the night.
“It sucks. That’s it,” Svechkov said about the loss to Anaheim. “We’ve been chasing the game and it’s really tough when you’re chasing every game. You try and chase all the time and it’s really frustrating for us.”
Then a couple of minutes later Zegras scored his eighth of the season after McTavish set up Drew Helleson for a one-timer. The puck bounced up and Zegras buried the rebound to extend the Ducks lead to 3-1.
“I feel like I haven’t made a hockey play in a few weeks now. I didn’t do anything and it trickled down and there wasn’t enough compete. I don’t know what the word is for it but it’s not good,” Ryan O’Reilly said.
Anaheim sat on their lead in the final frame as Gibson wasn’t tested often on his own end. Nashville continued to stay on their heels with little offense to generate.
“I don’t know what to say. I want to be mad but I feel like I’m not good enough to get mad right now,” O’Reilly said. “As a group, we have to be better and we’re not really doing much out there. For myself, I feel like I’m skating and not accomplishing anything. I know I have to be a better leader and find a way something to do here.”
The Ducks thought they iced the game with 2:08 left in regulation but the play was offside. Alex Killorn eventually scored on the empty net to make it 4-1 with 35 seconds remaining in regulation.
Up Next
The Predators are back home this Saturday against the Toronto Maple Leafs with a 6 p.m. puck drop for Hockey Night in Canada.
Pete Weber and Jay More will be on the call to close out the three game homestand this week. Stay tuned for coverage right here on 102.5 The Game.
Follow Nick Kieser on Twitter/X: @KieserNick
Photos courtesy of Nashville Predators
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