In Nashville, the Predators scored three goals in the back half of the third period on Tuesday, but it wasn’t nearly enough in a 5-3 loss to the visiting Anaheim Ducks.
Lukas Dostal made 39 saves in the win.
The Ducks moved to 14-25-1, after snapping a five-game skid.
“I thought we were just playing simple,” the Ducks’ Jackson LaCombe said. “I thought we were playing our game really well. I think we were moving pucks up quick and just moving forward with the puck. It was really good by us.
The Ducks took a 5-0 lead in the game starting with three in the opening stanza.
Ryan Strome got the Anaheim offense rolling with a strike at 11:12 off a breakaway effort.
“We got off to a good start with that early penalty kill and the [Strome] goal on the breakaway, and then kind of went from there,” the Ducks’ Adam Henrique said. “I thought we were playing a structured game, which was big for us, just kind of getting into the rhythm. And we stuck with it.”
Frank Vatrano pushed the lead to 2-0 at 14:11 off a deflection.
Mason McTavish sent the game to the middle frame with the Ducks up 3-0 when he added a marker at 17:37 off the power play.
In the middle frame, Troy Terry connected at 3:05 for a 4-0 advantage to Anaheim.
“Overall, we’re looking at how we’re playing with structure and how competitive we are to get pucks back so that structure actually works out on scoring chances,” Ducks coach Greg Cronin said. “I thought for the first period we did a really good job with the cycles, and then in the second we got a little bit sloppy early and turned pucks over. Got it back together in the second half of the second and rode that momentum.”
Henrique collected his 500th NHL point on assist to the Terry goal.
“Pretty special,” Henrique said. “I’ve certainly come a long way and played with a lot of great teammates over my career so far. Certainly can’t do it without those guys, and family and friends as well is big. The support along the way away from the rink has been big through my career.”
Radko Gudas ballooned the lead to 5-0 for the Ducks at 3:16 of the third period.
The Predators dropped to 22-18-1, they have lost two of three overall, and five of six on home ice.
“I wish I had an answer,” Predators coach Andrew Brunette said. “It’s just a recurring theme. It’s kind of the definition of insanity, doing the same thing over and over and over again.”
Nashville attempted a rally in the second half of the third period.
Alexandre Carrier scored midway through the third to make it 5-1 to ANaheim.
“To a man, we’ve got to look ourselves in the mirror and find a way to be better,” Nashville’s Gustav Nyquist said. “Everyone in this room. These are points we have to win at home if we want to be where we want to be. Not good enough.”
Philip Tomasino trimmed the deficit to 5-2 at 17:02, off a scramble.
Nashville had one last poke at the scoreboard when Denis Gurianov scored with 45 seconds left on the game clock for the 5-3 final count. 
Juuse Saros made 28 saves in the loss.
“It was a very poor start for us,” the Predators’ Ryan McDonagh said. “Lack of urgency, lack of winning puck battles and competing. When you dig a hole like that, obviously it’s tough to come back. We can say we pushed a little bit, but that should happen when you’re in a huge hole like that. Just a really poor start for us, and we’ve got to hold each other accountable and start better here.”
You must be logged in to post a comment.