Evangelista: Predators are 'Still Really Confident' Despite Losses

After posting a franchise-record 18-game point streak (16-0-2), the Nashville Predators have come crashing down to earth with three consecutive losses. However, the team is no less confident now than they were a month ago; in fact, they may be even more confident.

"I think we're still really confident," Predators forward Luke Evangelista said on Tuesday. "You don't just forget about [a streak] like that. We weren't going to win every game, and we understand that."

In snapping their streak, the Predators gave up 15 total goals over back-to-back losses to the Arizona Coyotes and Colorado Avalanche on March 28 and 31, respectively.

"Obviously, we're giving up an awful lot right now," Evangelista said. "In the Arizona game, we just weren't executing at the level that we're kind of used to, and it kind of came back and beat us. Then, against Colorado, they have such a lethal power play that if you do give them those chances, they're going to execute."

The Predators dropped their third straight contest on April 2 in a 3-0 home loss to the Boston Bruins . The score was more lopsided than the game itself, as the Predators were able to keep one of the best teams in the league off the board for 53 minutes before Boston finally broke the ice in the third period.

"During that stretch, there were games like this where we got the bounce, we got the power-play goal or we got whatever," Predators head coach Andrew Brunette said. "The last couple of games were on the other end. And I think the hockey gods have a funny way of making you really work to get momentum back.”

While the Predators failed to capitalize on their power play opportunities against the Bruins, they felt that their 5-on-5 play was largely where it needed to be. That in itself was enough to help Nashville go toe-to-toe with Boston, and it will be enough to ensure that their confidence doesn't falter.

“We're not going to get too low because, like I said, I feel like our game is in order," Predators captain Roman Josi said after the loss. "There's some things we’ve got to do better, but we’re right back at it on Thursday.”

Even though the losses haven't diminished the team's confidence, they are still aware of where they need to improve in order to get back in the win column.

"We've got to do a better job in front of our goalies in terms of what we're giving up," Evangelista said. "With those power play opportunities, it takes a lot out of the team. So we've just got to be more careful."

The Predators are back in action on April 4, when they host a desperate St. Louis Blues team that is just three points back of the Los Angeles Kings for the second Wild Card spot in the West. Even in light of the recent losses, the message in Nashville's locker room is simple: stick to the game plan, and good things will happen.

“[We’ve got to] keep pulling, keep moving forward and keep to our identity,” Brunette said. “You're not going to get rewarded every night for what you put in, but if you continuously put in the work, you'll get yours in the end."