Sunday, January 12, 2025
Nashville Predators coach Andrew Brunette had seen Saturday night’s story play out before.
The Predators pushed for the go-ahead goal, couldn’t get one and then surrendered three third-period tallies to lose 4-1 to Washington at Bridgestone Arena.
Nashville (13-22-7) held a 33-16 advantage in shots on goal and had 10 high-danger chances to Washington’s three, according to Natural Stat Trick.
“I always believe – and I guess I’m starting to question myself – if you get chances, sooner or later they’re going to go in,” Brunette said. “There’s (been) I don’t know how many games like this – I was counting the other day – like 20-something games we just weren’t able to finish. It’s frustrating, but it’s where we’re at right now.”
The loss – which was Nashville’s fifth in its last seven games – highlighted a glaring problem: the Predators cannot consistently score. They rank last among the 32 NHL teams in goals (101), goals per game (2.4) and shooting percentage (8.2%).
Offensive struggles are shared
No one has been spared from the Predators’ offensive woes.
Just four players are on track for 20-goal seasons – Filip Forsberg, Jonathan Marchessault, Ryan O’Reilly and Steven Stamkos – and none are on pace for 30 goals. Forsberg, Marchessault and Stamkos each netted 40-plus goals last year.
Nashville isn’t getting much secondary scoring either. Gustav Nyquist (8), Tommy Novak (5), Luke Evangelista (4) and Colton Sissons (4) all own single-digit goal totals through 42 games.
“I don’t know if I’ve been part of something like this where the whole team is kind of snakebitten,” Brunette said. “The production’s been off for all our guys. I credit them for coming to work every day and bringing the energy and the effort. You feel bad for them. You wish you could help them more. But for me, I guess let’s go back to the drawing board. I think I can find some solutions for them.”
Chances are there, but goals are not
Nashville created a flurry of scoring opportunities against Washington.
Marchessault had a point-blank shot saved by his former Vegas teammate Logan Thompson. Sissons missed a prime opportunity in the slot. O’Reilly clanked one off the post late.
Forsberg delivered Nashville’s lone goal when he sniped a wrist shot over Thompson’s shoulder in the second period. It was his second goal in as many outings after going 18 games without one.
“It’s about finishing chances,” Forsberg said. “Not that I’m anyone to speak on it. At the end of the day, we can generate as many (chances) as we want, but at some point, we’re going to have to start finishing.”
In part, Nashville’s offense has improved over the last 10 games. The Predators averaged 2.9 goals, 3.3 expected goals, 10.8 high-danger chances and a 10.2% shooting percentage during that span.
Yet the team went 4-5-1 in those games and failed to make up any meaningful ground in the standings.
“On one hand, I feel like our game is getting better,” captain Roman Josi said. “But on the other hand, we need some wins quickly. It’s definitely frustrating.”
Issue may worsen before getting better
Predators general manager Barry Trotz has a lot to think about with the NHL trade deadline looming on March 7.
Will Nashville stand pat and simply hope for better results next season? Sell off pieces and continue to reset the roster? Mix the two strategies?
Depending on who the Predators decide to shop, their offensive struggles could get worse in the short term. Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman suggested Saturday that although Nashville prefers to keep O’Reilly, they are open to trade offers on the 33-year-old center who still has two seasons left on his four-year, $18 million contract.
“They are going to at least consider it under two conditions,” Friedman said. “Number one, the offer has got to be something that really excites them. It has to be a great offer. Number two, it has to be something O’Reilly would agree to.”
Follow Russell Vannozzi on X/Twitter @RussellV_MSP. For the latest Nashville Predators stories, be sure to sign up for the Main Street Nashville email newsletter.
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