Defensive Breakdowns Plague Predators in Loss to Coyotes

All good things must come to an end, and the Nashville Predators' franchise-record point streak came to an end on Thursday with an 8-4 loss to the Arizona Coyotes.

The Predators saw back-to-back goals by former Coyote Jason Zucker, a power-play tally by Gustav Nyquist, a three-point night by Roman Josi and a franchise-record seventh straight game with a goal by Filip Forsberg. But subpar goaltending and defensive lapses would be their ultimate downfall against the Coyotes.

During the 18-game point streak (16-0-2), which began on Feb. 17 against St. Louis, the Predators were the best defensive team in hockey, allowing just 1.83 goals per game . Goaltenders Juuse Saros and Kevin Lankinen combined for a .936 save percentage over that span.

On Thursday, however, Saros allowed six goals on 27 shots for an uncharacteristically low .778 save percentage. Lankinen came in to relieve Saros at the start of the third period, and he saved all 11 shots he faced.

In addition to goaltending, the Predators' defensive play was also to blame for the loss. They looked chaotic at times, and the Coyotes took advantage.

"Every challenge presents an opportunity to get better," head coach Andrew Brunette said after the Predators' come-from-behind win over the Vegas Golden Knights on March 26. "And we've been responding to those challenges every night."

The true measure of the Predators' success will be how they regroup and respond to this latest challenge as they prepare to take on a Colorado Avalanche team ahead of them in the standings on March 31.