Preds Improve Effort but Fall to Hurricanes

Ryan Johansen and Filip Forsberg tallied for the Predators, but Nashville came up just short once more as they fell to the Carolina Hurricanes by a 3-2 final on Saturday night at Bridgestone Arena. The result in the playoff rematch from last spring moves the Preds to 0-2-0 to start the season.

Carolina had a 1-0 lead after one period of play thanks to a goal from Jesper Fast, but the Preds answered in the second stanza. Just under eight minutes into the frame, Johansen picked off a pass in the neutral zone, drove to the Carolina net and beat goaltender Frederik Andersen with a swift backhand to even the score.
Just as they did on Opening Night, Nashville carried the play for most of the third period once again and had their opportunities, but with six minutes to play in regulation, Andrei Svechnikov beat Juuse Saros short side to give Carolina the lead once more. After the Hurricanes added an empty-netter to go up by two, Forsberg tapped in a loose puck in the crease with the extra attacker, but that was as close as the Preds came to evening the score.

Nashville put 40 shots on Andersen, including 15 in the second period alone, and Saros made 29 saves in the loss.

Saturday Storyline:

The Predators intended on improving their effort on Saturday night compared to Thursday's outing against Seattle to open the season, and they did just that - but a win would have made things even better.
From start to finish, Nashville had their chances against the Hurricanes as the two teams got together for the first official meeting since a six-game series during the 2021 postseason. The effort wasn't perfect, but there was plenty to like in all areas.
"We did a lot of things better tonight," Johansen said. "So many positives, and it just sucks, the realization, and the fact of the matter is we're 0 and 2. We've got to find ways to win hockey games. So, it's too bad. We worked our butts off, and they made a big play there at the end."

On Thursday, the Predators improved as the game went along, trading a slow start for a strong finish that just didn't yield the desired result. So, what changed compared to Thursday's 4-3 loss against the Kraken?
"Consistent is a good word," Forsberg said. "We competed for 60 minutes and had chances, and I think obviously the finishing part is kind of what was lost. Today, we had a lot of chances, the goalie for them played great, but overall I thought it was a hard-working game, was kind of like a playoff series again, a very similar game; a lot of battles, and it was a step in the right direction."
"I thought we played pretty well," Preds Head Coach John Hynes said. "In the first period, we were under duress a little bit, and really, it was self-inflicted by us, just our execution coming out. I think we were rimming pucks too much along the wall, and we didn't play with enough poise to get out of our own zone. I thought we did a good job in the second and third, and I think when you look at the style of game that we want to play and being able to put them under duress and give ourselves a chance, I think there's lots to build on."

Of course, this is a results-based business, too, and the Predators will be in search of that first win on Tuesday when the Kings come to town. The Preds know they're close, and another effort like the one put forth on Saturday will give them another chance to do just that.
"You always want to win, especially at home, but at the same time, it's 80 more games," Forsberg said. "I thought this was a step in the right direction. This is a really good team that we played, but at the end of the day, we have to win games. Like I said, a step in the right direction, but at the same time, nobody wants to be 0 and 2."

Highlight of the Night:

They Said It:

Ryan Johansen on keeping things in perspective with two losses to start the season:
"You just focus on the next game. We look at things we can do a little better and things we did well and continue doing it. It's really as simple as that. We've got to find ways to win hockey games. There's 80 more of them, so we'll try and get that first one Tuesday and then keep going from there."

Notes:

Predators forward Rocco Grimaldi and defenseman Mark Borowiecki made their season debuts on Saturday night. Nashville scratched defensemen Matt Benning and Ben Harpur, plus forward Philip Tomasino, against Carolina.
Prior to Saturday's game, the Preds recalled goaltender Connor Ingram from Milwaukee (AHL). Additionally, goaltender David Rittich was added to the NHL's COVID-19 protocol list.
Nashville's four-game homestand is halfway through, and they'll host Viktor Arvidsson and the Los Angeles Kings on Tuesday night at Bridgestone Arena before the New York Rangers come to town on Thursday.