Nashville Predators overtime loss against Stars proves team can compete with contenders

The Nashville Predators were outshined by the Dallas Stars Saturday night at the American Airlines Center 3-2.

A push from Dallas in the third propelled the game into overtime where Stars forward Jason Robertson ended it with his 33rd goal of the season.

Michael Bunting and Steven Stamkos scored for Nashville [27-24-8], Luke Evangelista recorded two assists, and Juuse Saros saved 22 shots.

The Predators showed many signs of competitiveness against the Stars [36-14-9], who sit firmly near the top of the Western Conference. Nashville had strong defense with Roman Josi, nearly playing 30 minutes, and Brady Skjei keeping the opposition loose with his team-leading three hits.

However, when Dallas prevailed their strongest, Nashville couldn't keep up and became desperate to get the puck out in their own zone. Predators Head Coach Andrew Brunette noted on his team's relentless defensive pressure.

"It was a hard hockey game. They're [Dallas] a good hockey team. It's a tough place to play," Brunette said. "We know the way they play, they make you uncomfortable, and I thought we did a pretty good job. [We] probably defended too much, but being uncomfortable, I thought we hung in there.”"

Per Brooks Bratten

The Predators scored two goals in the first within 1:09 of each other. Matthew Wood faked Dallas goalie Jake Oettinger with a pass over to Bunting who finished the job with a power play marker. Nashville now has a power play goal in two straight games with Wood producing a point on both.

Stamkos tallied his 30th of the season shortly after with the help of Evangelista. Per NHL PR, Stamkos became the third active player to have 10 seasons with 30 goals, joining Sidney Crosby and Alexander Ovechkin. He now has five goals in his last five contests.

The Predators faced an obstacle in the second period as the Stars defense shut down nearly offensive chance they got. Dallas took control in the shots department, outshooting Nashville 8-4 in the second period.

To add fuel to the fire, the Predators took two penalties in the period with Filip Forsberg and Ryan O'Reilly serving minor infractions. The Stars capitalized nine seconds into the second man-advantage with a tuck from Wyatt Johnston, who now has 20 power play goals this season.

Nathan Bastian tied it up 14:29 into the third period. The Predators allowed ten more shots in the frame but was able to get shots of their own with 11. However, Oettinger stood tall and blocked all of them.

Skjei got a breakaway in the extra period but rung the puck off the post. Less than a minute later, Robertson got wristed one past Saros in front of the crease to hand Dallas their third overtime of the season. Nashville was down a defender in the play as Skjei tripped on Stamkos' stick prior to the goal.

The team still has a lot to be proud about. Nashville's effort in the first period proved that their getting better at starting the game firm. The team struggled to get on the board first in the first but tonight was different, scoring two and allowing none.

The third period demonstrated the Predators' will to get back in a game and prevent the opposition from putting dirt in their eye. Three of four points on the week was enough for Brunette, who praised his team despite the loss.

"The goal late in the second, kind of gave them a little bit more life,” Brunette said. “And [in] the third, we had our looks to win the game late. Same with overtime, where you get a couple 2-on-1s, you don't score a lot of times, it's not going to result in a win for us. But all in all, three of four [points] for the week, and won another week, and another big one coming.”"

Per Brooks Bratten

Nashville will face four opponents this week, starting at home with Detroit on Monday and following it up with a trip to Columbus the following day. They wrap up the week hosting Boston Thursday and an away contest against Buffalo.