We're all coming to grips with reality that the Nashville Predators just aren't a good hockey team despite what the roster looked like before the season started.
The Predators couldn't string together their third win in a row on Tuesday night at Winnipeg, losing 5-2 and seeing their power play go 1-for-7. When you get seven power play chances, you better cash in. It didn't help that Steven Stamkos left the game early, which really sent the power play into a tailspin.
With where the Predators are at in the division standings, a long winning streak is all that can save them, and unfortunately this team has only had a winning streak of three games once and that was early on.
Hellebuyck shines for Jets, Predators once again come up empty on their scoring chances
The Jets showed in this game that they're the superior team. We don't have to reinvent the wheel here. Connor Hellebuyck flashed his Vezina Trophy credential early in the game when the Predators were pressing for some early goals. But as the game wore on, the Jets just took control of the momentum.
Following the theme of the entire season, the Predators couldn't finish on their scoring chances. By a wide margin they have the worst Goals Scored Above Expected at -25.31. Over 25 goals less than what they've been expected to score, and the next worst team is the New Jersey at -14.53. Just an insane gap between the 32 and 31 in that category.
The Predators had an expected goals for of 4.53 against the Jets, but a combination of Hellebuyck showing he's currently the best in the NHL and hitting multiple posts just buried the Predators.
The injuries keep piling up for the Predators, further dampening their low chances of making an epic comeback to save their season. Luke Evangelista left in the first period and couldn't finish the game, while Stamkos left early in the second period. This put the Predators down to skating with just 10 forwards for a large portion of the game. Not easy to overcome, especially against a Stanley Cup caliber team in Winnipeg.
As of now, there's no updates on Stamkos or Evangelista. The Predators already have Jeremy Lauzon, Adam Wilsby and Cole Smith on injured reserve.
Forsberg finally ends his goal drought, but the road trip ends in failure
Your two goal scorers for the Predators were Filip Forsberg and Roman Josi. Forsberg showed off some vintage Forsberg by ending his 18-game goal drought. That made the score 3-1 in the final minutes of the second period.
Josi's goal, his eighth goal of the season, came midway point through the third period to make the score 4-2. Vinnie Hinostroza logged his first assist with the Predators.
An empty net goal for Nino Niederreiter salted this one away for the Jets, who lead the season series 2-1 over the Predators with one more matchup remaining.
The road trip is over for the Predators, and they finish it off with a 2-4-0 record dating back to before the holiday break at the St. Louis Blues. The Predators haven't played at home since a 5-2 win against the Carolina Hurricanes on December 23.
After a three-day break, the Predators return home on Saturday to host Alex Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals. Zachary L'Heureux is expected to return to the starting lineup with his three-game suspension completed for a slew foot against the Minnesota Wild.