Slow starts have plagued the Nashville Predators in the preseason and in last night's opening night loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning. Tomorrow the Preds hope to start as they mean to go on.
There was a lot to like in Nashville's first regular season game despite the 5-3 loss to Tampa Bay last night, but one thing that hurt the Predators early was a very slow start in the first period. Nashville came out playing tentatively and allowed the Lightning to control much of the first twenty minutes.
"We were sitting back waiting," Andrew Brunette said after practice today. "I think you could say it's first night jitters or not being prepared to play, so one of the two."
"We started very slow," Ryan O'Reilly said. "We were on our heels, thinking a bit too much right away."
The slow start allowed Tampa Bay to dominate in puck possession and outshoot the Predators 12-2 in the first period. Juuse Saros showed why he is so critical to the team especially as they adjust to a new system, allowing just one goal even as Tampa Bay recorded the only high danger chances of the opening period.
"Obviously with the best goalie in the league that helps matters and gives yourself a chance to crawl back in the game, "Brunette said of Saros's performance in net in the first period.
The team was able to make adjustments to compete at the level they needed to to get back in the game in the second and third periods. Brunette credits the players with making the shift.
"I think they [the players] made the adjustment. I think we understood that probably wasn't enough. I think they understood they were probably not playing Predator hockey," Brunette said today.
Coming out with a better start will be imperative against the Seattle Kraken tomorrow night. Brunette acknowledged that the Kraken are one of the fastest teams in the league, and another slow start could cost the Predators.
"They're a really fast team. If we talk about how hard it is if we're not ready to play and ready to skate, it's going to be a long night," Brunette said. "If you're not ready to play, they'll make you pay the price."
A better start in game two comes down to two things — mental preparation and execution according to Cody Glass.
"I think it's just mentally preparing for it. We know what we have to do," Glass said. "We have everything in place. Everything is structured, so it's just executing it."
One other factor that may help the Predators come out with the energy they need against the Kraken? Playing at home in front of their fans.
"We're going to be playing in front of our fans for the first time in a very long time, so I think that will give us the energy to come out strong and be able to play fast," Glass said.
Ryan O'Reilly agrees as he looks ahead to his first regular season home game in Bridgestone Arena.
"I'm definitely excited for tomorrow," O'Reilly said. "Having been in this arena to play against the Preds and see the energy, the excitement that's there, it's just nice to be on the other end of it."
"I'm looking forward to it for sure."
The Predators welcome the Seattle Kraken to Bridgestone Arena tomorrow night as both teams look for their first win of the 2023-24 season. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 pm CT.
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