Stars can't find answer on offense in loss to Predators

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- When the Stars and Predators last met before Thursday on the national stage in January's Winter Classic, it was Dallas that turned an early two-goal deficit into easily one of the biggest victories the franchise has ever seen.
Unfortunately for the Stars, that storyline did not repeat itself here at Bridgestone Arena. The Predators instead took advantage of some early Dallas penalty trouble and goaltender Juuse Saros did the rest en route to a 2-0 shutout win.

WATCH: [All highlights from Stars at Predators]
The loss dropped Dallas to 37-22-8 overall on the season, ending its four-game point streak at Bridgestone Arena. Nashville, meanwhile, earned two critical points as it moved into a tie for a Western Conference wild-card spot.
"Disappointing for sure," Stars interim coach Rick Bowness said. "They played like a very desperate hockey club, which they are to make the playoffs, and give them full marks because they came at us hard. It's just disappointing that we didn't respond, and clearly the special teams were the difference and we'll address that tomorrow in practice. But it's the desperation that they played with that we didn't play with that's disappointing."
Filip Forsberg opened the scoring for Nashville late in the first period, taking advantage of a John Klingberg holding penalty to break a 16-game goal-less drought at the 19:07 mark.

Matt Duchene netted his 13th of the season -- and first in nine games -- in the second with another Nashville power-play goal, reaching out his stick to deflect home a wrister from Calle Jarnkrok after Stephen Johns was whistled for tripping.
Saros was perfect for Nashville, denying all 33 shots faced for his third shutout of the season. Anton Khudobin, making his third straight start in net, stopped 30.
Dallas finished 2-for-4 on the penalty kill and failed to convert on four power-play opportunties.
"It wasn't as crisp as we like," Stars forward Joe Pavelski said of the power play. "When we did make a couple passes, it was that next one that we just didn't execute. So execution felt low ... it's something that can improve for sure."
The Stars will look to salvage the return game in the home-and-home against the Predators on Saturday 1 p.m. CT. It will be the first meeting between the clubs at American Airlines Center since Dallas dispatched Nashville in Game 6 of its first-round playoff series last season.
Spend your afternoon with the Stars when they return home to battle the Nashville Predators at American Airlines Center on Saturday at 1 p.m. Get your tickets now!
This story was not subject to the approval of the National Hockey League or Dallas Stars Hockey Club.
Jeff Odom is the manager of DallasStars.com and writes about the Stars/NHL. Follow him on Twitter @jeffodom.