The Nashville Predators are back home after they went 0-3-1 on the road & currently ride a seven-game losing streak, the second-longest skid in team history.
Nashville looks to break the streak on Tuesday evening against the Calgary Flames. The last time Nashville broke a losing streak of seven or more games was against the Flames in 2013.
According to Natural Stat Trick, the Predators have averaged 1.57 goals per game during five-on-five play amid the historic losing streak.
“We’re lacking a little bit of that finish & we all know in this game & any game when they’re not going in you squeeze [your stick] tighter, think more, & are more delayed on your shot,” head coach Andrew Brunette said. “We did enough in those games to score more & to get points out of that trip. That’s been a little bit of the story most of the year. We’ve had top-five offensive zone time, deliver a lot of pucks against the top teams & they’re just not going in.”
First time since April 2013 the #Preds have been on a losing streak of 7 or more games. Third time ever that this franchise has seen this long of a streak.
7 games – 2024-25 ~ *Active*
8 games – 2012-13 (4/4/13 – 4/19/13)
7 games – 1999-00 (11/20/99 – 12/2/99)— Nick Kieser🏒 (@KieserNick) December 8, 2024
During Monday’s practice, Brunette & assistant coach Darby Hendrickson took the ice early with the powerplay units. Brunette worked with the top unit while Hendrickson administered the second unit.
Both special team units were rotating positions & passing the puck fervently. As more repetitons passed both units were more comfortable with what was being implemented. Brunette attributed being home to having more time to tinker with how he wants to see his powerplay units & offense as a whole deliver more pucks on the net.
“I think we’ve been pretty stagnant. In saying that we’ve created, I think in the Montreal game I don’t know how many opportunities we had in the slot driving plays expecting goals to go in, it hasn’t been terrible it’s just not going in,” Brunette said.
“I think it was a good day to reset a little bit & hit a few principles that may be in the course of these games where you’re playing three in four days you don’t get a chance to really touch on that stuff & today was a good day to do that.”
Andrew Brunette introducing some new looks on the PP. More rotations & utilization of playing quick behind the net. pic.twitter.com/MmOjlEr48j
— Nick Kieser🏒 (@KieserNick) December 9, 2024
Filip Forsberg said he was all ears on the new adjustments Brunette spearheaded. The forward hasn’t posted a point in the last six games & aims to get back on track to his typical self, especially on the man advantage where hypothetically this team can excel.
“I think we’re just re-touching it, especially since we don’t get a lot of time to practice it,” Forsberg said. “It gets a little – I wouldn’t say rusty – but like some games, you have one opportunity, so you want to work on it.”
Forsberg advocated for the adjustments Brunette made on the rotations as skaters move the puck around & across the slot on the powerplay or during even strength play.
“We have everything. In the last little bit, we just haven’t scored goals. We’re more trouble to have two minutes in one of the powerplays where they couldn’t breathe, they’re tried & we kept shooting & it didn’t go in,” Forsberg said. “Feels like the five-on-five game we need to find the breakthrough but I think we’ve seen some looks.”
While there are small positives to take away from how the Predators played on the road, now they’re piecing together how finishing games look.
While that continues fans have clamored for change behind the bench & Brunette addressed how feels about being under the microscope right now with seven wins in 28 games.
“I think in our business we’re terminal, in my business anyways, just like all of us in life I don’t think we’re overly concerned about it. If it happens it happens,” Brunette said. “I’m looking forward to tomorrow’s game. Something is bound to break & hopefully, it breaks tomorrow.”
Brunette said he’s had conversations about his job with general manager Barry Trotz. He’s more focused on the present & doing the best job he can in the things he can control.
“I’m worried about helping this team & I feel there are certain nights we left some things on the board, it could be a different story talking to you today. We’re at where we’re at & all we can do is focus on tomorrow,” Brunette said.
NOTES
Following practice it was confirmed that defenseman Alexandre Carrier would be week-to-week with an upper-body injury he suffered over the weekend in Ottawa. He joins defensive partner Jeremy Lauzon & forward Ryan O’Reilly on the injured list following the road trip.
Stay tuned for the action on Tuesday evening right here on 102.5 The Game with Pete Weber & Jay More on the call. Coverage begins at 6 p.m. with Max Herz hosting the pregame show.
Follow Nick Kieser on Twitter/X: @KieserNick
Photos courtesy of the Nashville Predators
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