Preds Score Five in Loss to Panthers at NHL Prospect Showcase

Five goals from the Predators prospects couldn't best the output from the Panthers, as Nashville fell to Florida by an 8-5 final on Sunday morning in their second game of the 2021 NHL Prospect Showcase.
Philip Tomasino and Cole Smith each tallied for the second time in as many outings at the tournament, and Grant Mismash, Kyle Jackson and Egor Afanasyev also for the back of the net for the Preds on Sunday, but the rookies ultimately suffered their second defeat of the weekend.

"The ice was tilted one way," Milwaukee Admirals Head Coach Karl Taylor, who is leading the Preds at the Showcase, said. "It's been two days of tough results. We didn't play very well, and sometimes that's what happens when you don't clear the front of your net… We just have to find a way to be a little better in the D-zone, defend it a little quicker, a little stronger and manage the net front better. Usually when you get five goals, you don't lose by three, so obviously we need to defend a little better than we did today."
"Obviously not the results we're looking for, and I think we can tighten up on some things in the D-zone," Mismash said. "We're a new team and we're just getting into it, and I think guys are going to keep battling hard, but obviously there's going to be some mental errors out there. It's going to happen with the group, so we just need to put this one behind us."
Tomasino's second of the Showcase came when he pounced on a loose puck in the slot and capitalized early in the first period to even the score at one apiece, and Mismash tied the game at two later in the opening period, but the Predators found themselves trailing by a 5-2 count after 20 minutes.

The Preds got back to within one in the second with goals from Jackson and Afanasyev, but the Panthers scored three more unanswered before Smith potted Nashville's first power-play goal of the tournament late in regulation to finish out the scoring on the day.
"We just need to generate more offensively, and it's a difficult game when you're defending and you're in your zone most of the time," Taylor said. "You get tired, and then you go back out for a shift and you're still trying to catch your breath after defending and being stuck in your own zone, so it's hard to generate when you're receiving all night. It's a little bit of us in the neutral zone not managing the puck well, so we'll have to address that and hopefully get better results on Tuesday."
Nashville's final outing of the tournament does come on Tuesday when the prospects will meet the Carolina Hurricanes with one more morning tilt, and the Preds don't have much interest in departing without a win at the Showcase.
Therefore, there's a certain mentality they'll be taking into that contest, and for the rookies themselves, Tuesday presents one last opportunity before they join the veterans later in the week.
"Honestly, just put these past two games behind us, and just keep battling," Mismash said. "Every guy in here is in the locker for a reason. We can all play hockey and we can all compete, so we just need every guy jacked up and playing the right game. If we play tight in our house in the D-zone, it will lead to some offense. We need to stop playing with some fear and just get in there and get aggressive, so I think we'll do that against Carolina for sure."
"It's last chance to show what we've got and what you have to offer going into main camp," Taylor said of his players. "All these individuals are trying to find a way to impress and gain more status going into camp, and this is the last game of the rookie tournament, so we'll see how it goes."
Notes:
Tomasino and Afanasyev each recorded a goal and assist on Sunday. Tommy Novak and Jack Matier both finished with a pair of assists in the loss.
Goaltenders Tomas Vomacka and Brady James split time in the Nashville net on Sunday; Vomacka allowed five goals before James surrendered the final three.
All games at the Prospect Showcase feature a five-round shootout following regulation regardless of the score, and James stopped four of five Panthers shooters, while Tomasino scored for Nashville.
After a day off on Monday in Tampa, the Predators will finish off their stay at the Prospect Showcase as they meet the Carolina Hurricanes at 9 a.m. CT on Tuesday morning; the game may be viewed on NashvillePredators.com.