"It's a sad day here today," Nashville Predators HC Andrew Brunette said after last night's game.
The Nashville Predators [27-26-8] concluded its back-to-back with a 3-2 loss against the Columbus Blue Jackets [31-21-8] last night at Nationwide Arena. The game was full of emotion, starting with the news of Michael McCarron getting traded and the unexpectedness of Cole Smith playing three seconds before getting dealt as well.
"We're going to miss two great people, two big parts of our culture and what they bring every day," Brunette said. "They're like family being around them for three years. Sad to see them go at the same time hoping for the best. They're going to places that have a good opportunity to have a long run, further their career."Nashville Predators YT
Later, the Preds bench was full of worry as Ryan O'Reilly left the game in the third period after taking a nasty stick poke to the eye. Brunette had no update on the injury following the game. Expect an announcement on the severity in the following days.
The Predators held a 2-1 lead heading into the final frame, with goals from Filip Forsberg and O'Reilly, but fell behind early in it. Justus Annunen stopped 24 shots as his team lose its second straight contest.
"They came out hard. I think they kind of outplayed us in the beginning," Preds captain Roman Josi said. "They forked us hard and I thought we got going after and it was kind of after...there wasn't much happening in the game, was not a pretty game."Nashville Predators YT
Columbus center Adam Fantilli made it 1-0 for the home team at 5:37 in the opening stanza. A hook by Mason Marchment send Nashville on its first power play of the night with Forsberg notching one late in it, and the game, at 0:28 to make it a tie game at first intermission.
A crowded net at with 5:21 left in the middle frame resulted in an own goal by the Jackets with it being credited as O'Reilly's 22nd of the season.
Sean Monahan tied it up shorthanded early in the third period for Columbus. It's the second straight game with a SHG allowed for Nashville and the only two this entire season.
"It was kind of sloppy on both sides I would say a little bit," Josi said. "They got one on our power play there and got another one. Both sides [had] kind of a lot of weird goals. Couldn't find another one there."Nashville Predators YT
Charlie Coyle gave the Jackets the lead at 13:53. Brunette challenged the play for goaltender interference but was ultimately denied with his club being handed a delay of game minor penalty.
With the loss in the books, Nashville heads home to take on the Boston Bruins on Thursday for its final game before the 2026 NHL Trade Deadline.
"We got to move on," Josi said. "It's not an easy time for a lot of guys but all control is our play, and you have to accept the business side. It's part of it and it's not fun but all we can do as players is to play and hopefully get some wins."Nashville Predators YT
On paper, this game was really close. Shots we're relatively even with Columbus coming out on top 27-25. Both evened out at the faceoff dot (32/64) and blocked shots (16). Nashville's power play unit went 1/2 on the night but a shorthanded goal takes away that recognition.
If the Predators want to walk out of this Trade Deadline stronger, it must focus on special teams positioning, especially defensively on the power play. Offensively, the units have looked great but recently they have fallen off defensively.
The Predators are now five points out of a Wildcard spot in the Western Conference and are slowly falling in the standings, now at 26th in the league.