"It's a learning curve for our team. I still think we can dig in a little bit more as a group," said head coach Jared Bednar. "We're willing to come to work, but there is still a level of compete that I think we need in some of these games. We got out-battled on a lot of pucks in the second half of the game."
For Wilson, it was his first contest back in the city he called home for eight years. He admitted before puck drop that it was a bit strange getting ready in the visiting locker room and putting on a white and burgundy sweater instead of a gold and blue one.
"It feels a little bit different," Wilson said. "It feels fun, looking across and seeing a few buddies, but we won't be friends tonight. Cool to be back in the building."
Wilson was selected by the Predators with the seventh overall pick in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft and went on to appear in 502 career games, a mark that ranks sixth all-time in franchise history. He registered 95 goals and 142 assists in those contests and 24 more points (13 goals and 11 assists) in 47 career playoff games.
Born in Greenwich, Connecticut, but raised in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Wilson played in 14 postseason games and had four points (two goals and two assists) in the Preds' run to the Stanley Cup Final last year.
Colorado acquired the power forward in a trade on July 1, and he has been a staple in the Avalanche's bottom six in the first seven contests of the season. Wilson registered his first point with the club on Saturday when he had an assist at the Dallas Stars.
"I think I could pick it up. I had a little bit of an injury in training camp. I think my game is getting there," Wilson said before Tuesday's contest. "I think with my assist last time, I'm starting to see the game a little better."