The Nashville Predators ended their three-game homestand with a 9-2 loss to the Dallas Stars Thursday.
With the loss, Nashville moved to 27-25-2 of the year and 14-15-0 at home. They're now 4 points out of a playoff spot in the Western Conference behind the LA Kings and St. Louis Blues (who are tied with 60 points).
Cole Smith and Tommy Novak scored the only two goals while Juuse Saros made 14 saves on 18 shots faced before he was replaced at the start of the 2nd period by Kevin Lankinen, who made 18 saves on 23 shots faced.
Sam Steel gave Dallas a 1-0 lead 35 seconds into the 1st period with a wrist shot that went through the legs of Predators defensemen Luke Schenn.
Matt Duchene, the former Predator, made it 2-0 on a one-time, cross-ice pass from Mason Marchment on a 2-on-1 play. Craig Smith, another former Pred, pushed the lead to 3-0 on a one-time pass from Sam Steel, notching his 2nd point of the night. Wyatt Johnston pushed the lead to 4-0 3:22 later in the game.
This ended a crucial period for the Predators as they walk into the intermission 4-0. They were outshot 18-1 in the 1st period and it was a Dallas bloodbath.
At the start of the 2nd period, Kevin Lankinen would come into the game. Miro Heiskanen made it 5-0, 4:40 into the period.
Cole Smith would finally get the Predators on the board, scoring on the rebound off the blocker of Jake Oettinger from the left circle.
Moments later, Tyler Seguin capitalized on a power-play for the Stars to make it 6-1.
Tommy Novak picked up his 11th goal of the season to make it 6-2, scoring on the backhand.
Matt Duchene picked up his 2nd goal of the game, scoring on the backhand to make it 7-2 Dallas with 12 seconds remaining in the 2nd period. Nashville was in deep trouble as they headed back to the locker room down five with no momentum to show.
Ty Dellandrea made it 8-2 3:50 of the 3rd period. Wyatt Johnston scored the 2nd power-play goal of the game for the 9-2 final.
Nashville looks to regroup as they embark on a five-game road trip starting Saturday against the St. Louis Blues. The puck drops at 4:00 p.m. CT.
