Predators-Jets Preview
In lieu of victories in the standings, the Nashville Predators are settling for moral ones. They're well aware that needs to change.
The Predators attempt to snap their longest slide of the season by avenging the defeat that started it when they visit the last-place Winnipeg Jets on Thursday night.
Nashville (19-17-7) is tied with Colorado for the Western Conference's second wild-card spot, one point ahead of Vancouver.
The Predators have done nothing to improve their tenuous position, losing four in a row for the first time since dropping six straight to end last season.
They're 1-6-1 in their last eight road games, losing the first three of this four-game trip after falling 3-2 to Chicago on Tuesday. Nashville found some solace in its failed attempt to overcome a three-goal deficit, outshooting the Blackhawks 33-12 over the last two periods.
"I like the fact that our team didn't quit," coach Peter Laviolette told the Predators' official website. "We have to try to build off of that. I know we have a tough game (Thursday) and I think our guys will be ready to play again.
"We have to win hockey games, and it's been frustrating because I feel like we've had that conversation too many times, so many times."
Pekka Rinne surely shares that frustration on the road. He's 1-8-2 with a 3.29 goals-against average in his last 11 starts away from home after making 20 saves Tuesday.
He had just 14 in a 4-1 loss to Winnipeg (19-21-3) on Jan. 5 after stopping 20 shots in a 7-0 win Nov. 14.
James Neal had a goal and an assist in that matchup, and he leads the Predators with 15 goals. The right wing, however, hasn't found the net in the last 17 road games and seven straight overall.
Filip Forsberg has two goals in three games after scoring at Chicago. He didn't factor in the scoring against the Jets last week after getting six points over his previous seven meetings.
The Jets, occupants of the Central Division's basement, have lost three in a row for the first time since a season-high six-game slide Nov. 5-16.
Like the Predators, frustration is mounting for Winnipeg.
"I just don't think that there's enough of an investment from everyone to get to where we need to go," right wing Blake Wheeler said. "How do we get that? That's the million-dollar question. How do we get 20-plus individuals buying into the same thing and spilling everything they have every night into it? Hopefully we'll figure it out by (Thursday)."
The Jets' attempt to snap the skid may require overcoming an absence by Tyler Myers. The defenseman got a game misconduct for cross-checking Tommy Wingels in the third period of Tuesday's 4-1 loss to San Jose.
The incident could draw the attention of the NHL's player safety department, leading to a suspension.
"I think it's a joke if I get a phone call from the league," Myers said.
Winnipeg's offense has been inconsistent during a 4-6-1 stretch, getting held to two goals or one in each of those defeats while scoring four times in three victories.
Drew Stafford had two goals at Nashville last week, tying him with Bryan Little for the team lead at 14. Stafford hasn't scored in three games since but has two assists, and Little has gone eight in a row without a goal while registering six assists.
Of Stafford's 24 points, 18 have come at home.