Preds Unable to Find Equalizer, Fall to Flyers

Wayne Simmonds scored twice on the power play as the Philadelphia Flyers defeated the Nashville Predators by a 4-2 final on Sunday night at Bridgestone Arena. The defeat is just Nashville's second regulation loss at home this season and moves their overall record to 11-9-4.
The game went back and forth, with Nashville tying the score on two occasions thanks to goals from Calle Jarnkrok and Colin Wilson, but the Flyers were ultimately able to beat Juuse Saros three times before adding one more into the empty net.
"We knew going in that their power play was really good," Head Coach Peter Laviolette said of the Flyers. "Their players have had a lot of time together and cohesiveness, and they're pretty set in what they do. They bring pucks to the net, and when they do that, things can happen. That was a difference in the game tonight."

As was the case yesterday in an overtime loss to New Jersey, there were large portions of the game where the Preds were pleased with their execution, but the lack of a full 60-minute effort - this time with a slow start at the beginning of the game - didn't bring the desired results.

"Our first [period] wasn't very good," defenseman Roman Josi said. "We had a lot of pressure and didn't execute well and after that we came back… but our [power play] wasn't good, and it might've made a difference at the end."
"We got off the marker a little bit slow in the first period," Laviolette said. "We built up steam. I thought we were better in the second, and we had our best period in the third, but were chasing the game the whole time. Coming from behind and trying to catch it at the end is not a good way to play the game."

The Predators have one more game to go on their current home stand - Tuesday night when Colorado comes to town - as they look to get their 12th win of the season before heading back on the road.
"Just the effort from everyone for 60 minutes; there's no team in this League that's not going to show up and play," forward Filip Forsberg said. "Everyone needs the points no matter where you are in the standings. The inspiration level has to be higher from the start and even in the last period.

"I think that's the biggest thing, just to work hard for 60 minutes and the results will come."
Notes:
Forward Reid Boucher made his Preds debut on Sunday evening after being claimed on waivers from New Jersey on Saturday. Boucher recorded one hit in 7:15 of ice time.
"It's a different situation to come in the way he did, to try to jump into a moving train," Laviolette said of Boucher. "It's difficult at times. I think the more he settles in and gets some practices with our guys, the better off he's going to be."
Preds goaltender Juuse Saros started for the Predators on Sunday, the fourth of his career and third of the season.
With his assist on Colin Wilson's goal, Mike Fisher now has six points (2g-4a) in his last six games.
Nashville will conclude their three-game home stand on Tuesday night as they host the Colorado Avalanche at Bridgestone Arena.