Missed Opportunities Haunt Predators in Game 6 Loss to Canucks

The Nashville Predators put forth an exceptional effort in a must-win Game 6, but they ultimately fell short in a 1-0 shutout loss to the Vancouver Canucks.

“We got caught back on our heels a bit,” Predators forward Ryan O'Reilly said. “I don’t know if it was kind of just frustration of not kind of generating anything, but they made a strong push back. It was too late. They got a big goal, and we just didn’t take the momentum back like we needed to. Give them credit, they played us well. It stings.”'

Between special teams and stellar goaltending, the Predators had several chances to swing the momentum in their favor during the defensive slugfest that was Game 6. They failed to capitalize on some key chances, however, and it ended up costing them the game.

Predators' Power Play Falls Short Again

The Predators once again failed to capitalize on the man advantage in Game 6, going 0-for-3 on the power play. They had their biggest opportunity of the game in the second period when Brock Boeser was called for a double minor for high-sticking against Jeremy Lauzon . Nashville managed just two shots on goal during the four-minute power play and three other shot attempts blocked by the Canucks.

“That’s going to keep me up all night, probably,” Predators head coach Andrew Brunette said. “Looking on the flip side, they only got two power-play goals too [in the series]. I’d probably replay that last 33 seconds. I thought we had some things that were there that we missed. It needs to be better. I take responsibility for that. At the same time, we put ourselves in opportunities to make plays. We just, unfortunately, didn’t make the plays.”

The Predators finished with just two power-play goals over the six-game series, going 2-for-22 on the man advantage.

Predators Waste a Stellar Goaltending Performance from Saros

Juuse Saros was tremendous between the pipes, making 28 saves on the night and keeping the Predators locked in a scoreless tie through 58 minutes of play. Unfortunately, a late tally by Vancouver’s Pius Suter would be the only goal needed to decide the game – and the series.

“He’s all fight,” Brunette said. “The saves he made in the last two games to keep the score where it was I think speaks volumes of his commitment to be great. And unfortunately one went by him at the end. I had a feeling tonight it might have taken all night to get one by him and unfortunately one went in.”

Saros kept his team in the game by making a number of timely saves through the first 40 minutes. Two of his biggest saves came back-to-back in the second period on a J.T. Miller wrist shot and a Suter rebound.

"He's been incredible the whole series and tonight he made so many key saves to keep us in the game," Josi said of his goaltender. "Especially in the third, [Vancouver] had a couple of really good looks and he made some unbelievable saves. And that's just Juice, right? All year, all season, ever since he took over the number one job. He definitely deserved better tonight, and we've got to find a way to support him better. He's our backbone and he was amazing the whole year. He's amazing."

The loss saw the Predators' season come to an end with a first-round playoff exit. Vancouver, meanwhile, will advance to face the Edmonton Oilers in the second round.

"Right now, the hurt and pain is bigger than than what's ahead," Brunette said. "I would have loved it love to play a Game 7. It's the best thing in hockey to do. You dream of it, and it didn't happen."