Fedor Svechkov scored late in the third period to avoid a second consecutive shutout loss, but the Nashville Predators fell 3-1 to the Ottawa Senators Saturday at Canadian Tire Centre.
Predators goaltender Juuse Saros made 27 saves on 30 shots faced (.900 save percentage), while Linus Ullmark stopped 37 of 38 shots for Ottawa.
The loss was Nashville’s seventh in a row; the Predators are 0-3-4 over that span and 7-15-6 on the season.
How the Predators lined up vs. Ottawa
Forsberg – Stamkos – Nyquist
L’Heureux – Svechkov – Marchessault
Jankowski – Novak – Evangelista
Smith – McCarron – Sissons
Josi – Carrier
Skjei – Blankenburg
Wilsby – Schenn
Saros
Annunen
Extra: Del Gaizo, Pärssinen, O’Reilly, Lauzon*
*Ryan O’Reilly is week-to-week with a lower-body injury. Additionally, Jeremy Lauzon has been placed on Injured Reserve with a lower-body injury.
Following Thursday’s shutout loss to the Montreal Canadiens, the Predators made a handful of changes to their forward lines. Tommy Novak returned to the lineup, replacing Juuso Pärssinen, as the third line center between Mark Jankowski and Luke Evangelista. Zachary L’Heureux was elevated to the second line alongside Fedor Svechkov and Jonathan Marchessault.
Game Summary
After a scoreless first period, Jacob Bernard-Docker got the Senators on the board first just over five minutes into the second. Tim Stutzle gathered the loose puck along the boards and skated it into the zone, finding Bernard-Docker at the top of the face-off circle for
Claude Giroux was credited with Ottawa’s second goal at 16:52 of the period, as he shot the puck from the right circle deflected off the skate of Steven Stamkos while he was trying to break up a play in front of the net.
Cole Smith dropped the gloves with Zack Ostapchuck in the final minute of the second period, and the pair were assessed five-minute fighting majors that lasted into the early minutes of the third.
Alexandre Carrier left the game in the third period and did not return after taking a hit from Brady Tkachuk along the boards.
Nick Cousins converted on a breakaway chance at 12:37 of the third, ripping a shot past Saros’ far side to extend Ottawa’s lead to 3-0.
Svechkov saved the Predators from getting shut out in a second consecutive game with a snipe from the left circle at 18:03 for the 3-1 final.
Up Next
The Predators return home Tuesday to host the Calgary Flames at Bridgestone Arena. The puck drops at 7 p.m. CT, and the game will be broadcast regionally on FanDuel Sports Network South and on ESPN+ for out-of-market customers in the United States.
Visit The Hockey News Nashville Predators team site to stay updated on the latest news, game day coverage, player features, podcasts and more.
Recent Predators News
Related: There’s Still Belief From the Nashville Predators Inside the Room
Related: Predators Blanked 3-0 by Canadiens for Sixth Straight Loss
