The Nashville Predators lost 4-2 to the Washington Capitals Thursday at Capital One Arena. It is the final game for both squads as the Olympic break kicks in for the NHL.
Jonathan Marchessault and Michael McCarron scored, Adam Wilsby assisted on both, and Justus Annunen saved 26 of 30 shots.
"I think tonight a little bit [on the] PK, we gave up two goals, they won by two, so that's uncharacteristic of us. They made some nice plays on the power-play, and it stung. I thought we were a little undisciplined at times and [it] just bit us tonight."Michael McCarron, per Predators YT
Washington [29-20-7] opened the scoring at 15:45 with the help of Tom Wilson, who now has 23 goals on the year. It's the fourth straight game where Nashville [26-24-7] has allowed the first goal to start the period.
Pierre-Luc Dubois extended the lead on the power-play in his first game back on the ice at 7:12. It's his first goal of the season since his injury in October.
In the second, Jakob Chychrun started and ended a play all by himself, scoring his 20th on the season at 11:18. Jonathan Marchessault put the Predators on the board at 2:20 after tipping a pass from Erik Haula in front of goalie Logan Thompson.
The Capitals scored early in the third, but it was waived off for offside, allowing Nashville to take over and give McCarron a prime scoring opportunity to make it 3-2 1:17 into the period. He now has three goals in his last five games.
Chychrun handed back Washington their fourth goal with this second of the night at 6:49 on the power-play. The Capitals went 2/6 on the man-advantage.
Nashville prevented a fifth goal on the empty net with strong defensive coverage but couldn't find a way to translate it offensively in time to make a difference.
The Predators won't return to action until the 26th against the Chicago Blackhawks on home ice. Until then, the team will get a nice rest, besides the handful of guys heading to Italy for the Winter Olympics.
"[The break's impact] It's huge. We've been pushing really hard...every team really has with this Olympic season. It seems like we're playing every other night and mixed in with some back-to-backs so our bodies are beat down. We need a mental break for sure. It's going to be huge."Michael McCarron, Predators YT