After a 6-1 loss last night to the Minnesota Wild, the Predators have to turn the page quickly as they prepare to host the New York Rangers tomorrow afternoon.
After a 6-1 loss last night to the Minnesota Wild, the Predators have to turn the page quickly as they prepare to host the New York Rangers tomorrow afternoon.
Nashville's six game win streak came to a crashing halt on Thursday night as the Minnesota Wild under new head coach John Hynes dominated the Predators 6-1. Ryan O'Reilly called the Predators' start last night "hesitant", and the team was never able to get to their game.
"We didn't bring it," Andrew Brunette said after the loss.
This morning the Predators were focused on learning from the loss and looking ahead to tomorrow's game against the New York Rangers.
"We have the best team coming in," Brunette said after this morning's skate. "I don't think we can dwell on a lot of negativity."
Alexandre Carrier Update
Last night Brunette called Kirill Kaprizov's hit on Alexandre Carrier in the first period "a little predatory", but today did not address the incident. The team did provide an update on Carrier saying he is considered week-to-week with an upper body injury. Carrier has played all 22 games for the Predators before leaving the game after the hit by Kaprizov last night.
Carrier has partnered most recently with Jeremy Lauzon, a defensive pairing that was performing very well together. Carrier chalked their success up to communication and commitment to winning their puck battles.
The Predators started seven defensemen last night as a way to help work Luke Schenn back in the lineup after missing nearly seven weeks with injury. No word from the team on whether they will call up a defenseman from Milwaukee during Carrier's absence. Both Marc Del Gaizo and Spencer Stastney have played NHL minutes with the Predators already this season.
Learning from the Wild Loss
Brunette and the team reviewed film from last night game.
"It wasn't pretty," Brunette said.
The focus against the Rangers is on better execution with the puck and understanding the intensity level the team needs to have in big games like the one coming up against one of the best teams in the league, the New York Rangers.
"We've got to regroup and reenergize and refocus," Brunette said.
Nashville hosts the Rangers tomorrow afternoon and then travels to Buffalo to take on the Sabres on Sunday. Brunette was planning to talk with the goaltending staff this afternoon about who will start in net for Nashville in each of those outings.
"Juice played just a period last night. I know he's played a lot of hockey, so there will be a lot of discussion," Brunette said.
Hockey Is Fun.
At practice this morning, Brunette had the team play some five on five.
"Part of the 'rinsing' is resetting your mental focus. You want to have fun. The game's fun," Brunette said of the five on five play this morning.
The team also worked on small area drills and net front work.
The Predators will take on the New York Rangers tomorrow afternoon at Bridgestone Arena.
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