The Nashville Predators need to band together, and their lack of pushback against Flyers shows it

The Nashville Predators lost to the Philadelphia Flyers. That isn't much of a story. They seem to be two franchises that are moving in different directions, but are both ones that have always prided themselves on being tough teams that are difficult to play against.

Historically, walking into the Bridgestone Arena meant getting a rowdy welcome from one of the most active and fun crowds in the league, and leaving the ice with a few bruises from a physical team. For the most part that is still true.

The game against Philadelphia featured some big hits, and more than a few scrums. One in particular saw Steven Stamkos trading jabs with Garnet Hathaway of the Flyers, and saw a big right hand from an engaged Johnathan Marchessault. The Predators handled themselves well and were step for step with a tough Philadelphia team.

Despite keeping the physical battle close, Philadelphia ended up with the lead on the scoreboard. It was in the third period where Phildelphia made a mistake, with a Garnet Hathaway penalty that was going to lead to a power play, but also should've lead to a fight.

Hathaway comes in heavy on the forecheck and ends up colliding with Brady Skjei. Both men go to the ice, but Hathaway ends up on top of Skjei. They slide on the ice, and Hathway puts his arm across the back of Skjei's neck and keeps him on the ice, likely pressing his face against it.

The arm went up from the offical on the ice, but that's all. No Predators came flying in, no gloves were dropped, no punches thrown.

You can argue that the Predators players did the right thing, avoiding extra penalties that might've taken a power play away, but it was probably clear that a penalty was coming. This is after Hathway tried to start a fight with Stamkos. You can see that here.

With the lineup that the Predators ice, there is no way that Hathway should be able to run around, wreaking havoc and going after players like Stamoks and Skjei. Skjei especially should qualify as a player who deserves protection, as he's now operating as the team's #1 defenseman in the absence of Roman Josi.

This is a clear sign of a team that is deep in a funk, and is unsure of where they stand, or even what to do next. A team that is confident and playing as a cohesive unit would be pulling Hathway off and feeding him a series of punches. At the very least he should've gotten a facewashing.

Or there could have been retribution in the waning moments of the game. They won't see Philadelphia again, but that footage will be shown around the Western Conference. The word might be out that you can get in the head of the Predators. You can out muscle and out physical them. Before their next game the Predators need to do some yelling, or soul searching. Hopefully they come out swinging.