In a best-of-seven series, every road team talks about the need to earn a split in the first two games in order to steal home-ice advantage.
The Nashville Predators did just that in their Western Conference semifinal series with the St. Louis Blues, but they had reason to feel a little empty as they left Scottrade Center on Friday night. Leading 2-1 after Ryan Ellis' early third-period marker, Nashville couldn't hold back St. Louis' late push and allowed pair of goals to drop a 3-2 decision.
It was the first loss in six playoff games for the Predators, who try to regain the lead in the series on Sunday in Game 3 at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn.