Late Push Not Enough as Predators Drop 5-3 Decision to Ducks

Alexandre Carrier, Philip Tomasino and Denis Gurianov each tallied in the third period, but the late push proved too little, too late as the Nashville Predators fell by a 5-3 decision to the Anaheim Ducks at Bridgestone Arena on Tuesday.

Allowing three goals within a seven-minute span in the first period, the Predators found themselves chasing a game early and falling short of their own expectations once again.

“We didn’t start on time again,” Predators Head Coach Andrew Brunette said. “This was arguably probably the worst we’ve started out of all of them, after going through some things where we thought we were going to start on time. And for me, that first period was by far our worst period of the year.”

“We know how good we can be and what's expected of us and the way we want to play,” Predators defenseman Ryan McDonagh said. “And it's a matter of us finding that consistency here, because every game is going to be tough down the stretch and we need to be ready from the get-go to give ourselves a chance early on.” 

The result moves Nashville to 22-18-1 on the season and 12-11-0 at home as they head back to Dallas for a rematch against the Stars on Friday.

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Better at Bridgestone

Tuesday’s loss was especially frustrating for a Predators team eager to improve their record at home in the back half of their campaign, after going 3-4-0 at 501 Broadway the month prior.

“We should hopefully keep this pissed off feeling that we don't seem to get going early enough at home,” forward Gustav Nyquist said. “We make a push at the end, but it's too late. And that's got to be right off the bat. So hopefully we can keep this feeling going into the next one.”

“We’ve been really good on the road, and then we come here and we’re a different team off the start,” Tomasino said. “You’d think it’d be the opposite, that we’d be better at home… So it’s tough. Every point is really crucial right now so we’ve got to figure that out as soon as possible.”

Gurianov’s First in Gold

Gurianov’s third period marker was his first as a Nashville Predator.

The 26-year-old forward led the Milwaukee Admirals and was tied for sixth in the AHL in points with 30 (12g-18a) before being called up to make his Predators debut on Saturday against the Stars.

Nyquist Keeps the Streak Alive

With an assist on Carrier’s shorthanded goal, Nyquist extended his point streak to nine games (6g-7a) and matched his season-high streak from Nov. 9-28 (2g-9a). Nyquist is one game away from matching his career-high 10-game point streak from 2013-14.

UP NEXT

The Predators head back to American Airlines Center for their third meeting of the season and their second in as many weeks against the Stars on Friday.

Puck drop is at 7 p.m. CT, with the game set to broadcast on Bally Sports South, 102.5 The Game and El Jefe Radio.

NOTES

• Carrier’s shorthanded goal in the third period was the first SHG of his career; it was his second goal of the season, his first since Nov. 22 vs. Calgary.
• Michael McCarron recorded two assists for his second multi-point game of the season, his first since Nov. 28 vs. Pittsburgh.
• Tyson Barrie (upper body, day-to-day), Kiefer Sherwood and Yakov Trenin were scratched and did not skate in Tuesday’s game.