Pete Weber’s Postgame Report
It could have been a night for modest celebration for the Predators.
A regulation win against the reeling Avalanche would have sealed the their return to the playoffs and potentially buried their Central Division rival’s attempt to do the same.
Neither of those things happened Monday, with the Predators putting forth a lifeless start that ended in a 4-3 loss.
The Predators haven’t been perfect during the six-week turnaround that put them in a position to clinch a playoff spot Monday, but forgettable performances like what transpired at Bridgestone Arena have been rare, if not nonexistent.
After setting a franchise record Saturday by taking 27 shots in the first period, Nashville fell behind 3-0 within the first 12 minutes to a shorthanded Colorado team missing its two leading scorers, forwards Matt Duchene and Nathan MacKinnon, because of knee injuries. In an attempt to grab his team’s attention, Predators coach Peter Laviolette pulled goaltender Pekka Rinne for the first time this season after he allowed those goals on 10 shots.
Predators forward Craig Smith scored a much-needed goal late in the first period to cut Nashville’s deficit to 3-1, but after a Predators goal was disallowed in the second period after the Avalanche successfully challenged that the play was offside, Avalanche forward Shawn Matthias scored with less than 10 minutes left in the third period to restore Colorado’s three-goal lead.
Two Predators goals in 24 seconds from forward Colton Sissons and defenseman Roman Josi gave Nashville a significant late-game momentum boost.
The Predators return to the ice on Tuesday night for a 7:30 PM game in Dallas. Thunder Radio will bring you the broadcast of the game immediately following our broadcast of Coffee County Central High School baseball.
