The Nashville Predators played three solid games this week but only collected two points. What does this past week of games tell us about the Predators right now?
It was a week of fairly good performances for the Nashville Predators...if you don't look at the final scores. The Predators faced the Florida Panthers, Minnesota Wild, and Edmonton Oilers this week, and while they played each team well, Nashville could only get one win.
One Win, Two Losses
The Florida Panthers came to town on a four game losing streak but were able to get back in the win column with a 4-1 win over the Predators that wasn't quite as lopsided as the final score made it appear.
Reinhart, Verhagele Score as Panthers Defeat Predators to End Losing Skid
Matthew Tkachuk and Carter Verhaeghe each had a goal and an assist and Sam Reinhart added to an already impressive season offensively, but the Predators kept it close until the very end of the game.
Andrew Brunette liked a lot about the Predators' performance against the Panthers, but one thing that sealed their fate was not finishing on quality chances.
Andrew Brunette after Predators' Loss to Panthers: "We're Just Not Finishing"
After the home loss to the Panthers, the Predators kicked off a three game road trip against Central Division rival Minnesota Wild and former Predators head coach John Hynes.
Predators vs Wild: "It's Going to Be a Playoff Game"
Both Andrew Brunette and John Hynes knew this could be an important game later in the season. Nashville scored three goals in the third period to come back and win against the Wild.
Predators Score Three in the Third, Come from Behind to Win Over Wild
This was just the second time the Predators got a win after allowing their opponent to score first in the month of January. It was a big two points for the Predators who are battling to stay in the wild card conversation.
Brunette Calls Predators Win Over Wild "A Big One For Us"
The win in Minnesota earned Nashville two valuable points, and then the Predators flew to Edmonton to take on the Oilers who entered Saturday's game looking for their sixteenth consecutive win. Yet again, the Predators played a solid game but left with no points to show for their effort.
The Oilers game highlighted both the strengths and weaknesses of the Predators at this point in the season. Nashville outshot Edmonton, dominated time of possession at even strength, but special teams cost them a chance to win.
By the Numbers
This week Nashville went 0/10 on the power play including five missed opportunities against the Florida Panthers. The penalty kill also struggled giving up five goals on ten chances. The Predators outshot their three opponents this week 85-82 but only scored five goals to their opponents' ten.
Another concerning trend this week? The Predators scored no goals in the first period in their last three games. Nashville hasn't scored a goal in the first period since their January 6 win over the Dallas Stars.
Roster Moves
There were two big roster announcements this week. On Tuesday, the team announced that young forward Juuso Pärssinen was heading back to Milwaukee. Pärssinen made the Predators roster out of training camp but has struggled to find his game recently.
Predators Assign Juuso Parssinen to Milwaukee
Head coach Andrew Brunette wanted to be clear that the decision didn't come from a lack of faith in Pärssinen's future with the franchise.
Andrew Brunette On Pärssinen Playing in Milwaukee: "It's Growth"
Barry Trotz made another decision regarding the Predators' roster, this one for the next two years as he signed forward Cole Smith to a two-year deal.
Predators Sign Cole Smith to Two Year Deal
Smith's team mates were happy to celebrate the news at Wednesday morning's practice.
There was other big sports news in Nashville this wee as the Tennessee Titans named Brian Callahan as the new head coach. Predators fans may get to see Callahan soon at Bridgestone Arena. Turns out, Callahan is a former hockey player and current NHL fan.
Predators Have a Fan in Titans' New Head Coach Brian Callahan
Looking Ahead
The Predators finish up their road trip on Monday night as they take on the 18-25-2 Ottawa Senators. They'll head back home to face the 25-15-9 L.A. Kings Wednesday night before getting nine days off for the All Star break.