Predators out due to lack of production from top players in first round

The Nashville Predators were eliminated from the Stanley Cup Playoffs by the Carolina Hurricanes, losing 4-3 in overtime in Game 6 of the best-of-7 Stanley Cup First Round on Thursday.

Nashville was 31-23-2 during the regular season, finishing as the No. 4 seed in the Discover Central Division, and lost to the No. 1 Hurricanes in six games. The final four games went to overtime, with the Predators losing Games 5 and 6.
Here is a look at what happened during the 2021 postseason for the Predators and why things could be even better next season:

The skinny

Potential unrestricted free agents:Mikael Granlund, F; Erik Haula, F; Brad Richardson, F; Erik Gudbranson, D; Luca Sbisa, D; Pekka Rinne, G; Kasimir Kaskisuo, G
Potential restricted free agents: Eeli Tolvanen, F; Rem Pitlick, F; Mathieu Olivier, F; Tanner Jeannot, F; Michael McCarron, F; Dante Fabbro, D; Jeremy Davies, D; Ben Harpur, D; Juuse Saros, G
Potential 2021 NHL Draft picks: 7

What went wrong

Early power-play issues: The Predators were 0-for-10 on the power play in the first two games, including 0-for-7 in Game 2. Carolina won 3-0 in Game 2 but was leading 1-0 until center Sebastian Aho scored with 53 seconds remaining in regulation. One power-play goal in that game, and things could have been different. The Predators were 3-for-26 with the man-advantage in the series after struggling during the regular season (17.6 percent, tied for 23rd).
Not enough from top players:In the final three games of the series, forward Filip Forsberg had no points and center Matt Duchene had one assist. Duchene and center Ryan Johansen were taken off the power play entering Game 3. Johansen seemed to respond better than Duchene, scoring three goals in the final four games. Center Mikael Granlund scored five points (two goals, three assists) and defensemen Ryan Ellis (one goal, three assists) and Roman Josi (four assists) each scored four points in the series, but it wasn't enough.
Couldn't close: They had a 2-1 lead with 7:05 remaining in the third period in Game 5 before Hurricanes center Martin Necas tied the game and Carolina eventually won in overtime. In Game 6, the Predators had a two-goal lead in the second period before Aho and defenseman Dougie Hamilton scored to tie the game 3-3. Carolina won it 1:06 into overtime. The inability to offset the Hurricanes' push in the past two games was costly.

Reasons for optimism

Saros is No. 1:The 26-year-old goalie was outstanding during the regular season, going 21-11-1 with a 2.28 goals-against average, a .927 save percentage and three shutouts in 36 games (35 starts). Nashville general manager David Poile said Saros needed to win games and series in the playoffs to truly become a No. 1 goalie. Saros didn't win a series, but certainly gave the Predators a chance, going 2-4 with a 2.78 GAA and a .921 save percentage in six games. He has earned the No. 1 job heading into next season, with Rinne, 38, an unrestricted free agent and possibly having played his last game with Nashville.
Young players gain experience: Forwards Yakov Trenin, 24, and Luke Kunin, 23, each scored two goals in the series. Tolvanen was a healthy scratch in Games 1 and 6 didn't have any points in four games, but the 22-year-old scored 22 points (11 goals, 11 assists) in 40 regular-season games and led the Nashville with six power-play goals. The Predators are in good shape, especially up front, with their youth.
Strong playoff showing: When Carolina took a 2-0 lead, it looked like it was going to be a quick series. But Nashville played hard in four consecutive overtime games, defeating the Hurricanes in Games 3 and 4 to tie the series. The Predators likely will make some changes in the offseason, but they need to build off this series after qualifying for the playoffs following an 11-16-1 start to the season.