The last-place Predators once again tried to staple together a win today, against a goalie who’s struggled, and once again just couldn’t find the offense to get themselves out of trouble.
They started off with an early goal, courtesy of Roman Josi and set up by Steven Stamkos, and had some more good looks at the start. Around five minutes in, Anthony Cirelli took a puck to the face and the game was stopped first to allow Cirelli to get off the ice and then to clean up the blood.
When play resumed, Stamkos took an offensive zone penalty, and while the Preds got it killed off — and even managed a shorthanded chance, courtesy of Cole Smith — it wasn’t great for their momentum.