Two key moments that led to Nashville Predators' 4-2 loss to Edmonton Oilers

The NHL season is a week old and the Nashville Predators still do not have a win.

Their latest loss, a 4-2 defeat to the Edmonton Oilers on Thursday, showcased some of the same issues as the previous three losses.

Poor composure in the defensive zone, haphazard play in the neutral zone, and still more scoring struggles ― the Predators managed just two goals on 27 shots. Disconnected play in all three zones led to missed opportunities at one end, and pucks in the Nashville net at the other.

"We're just having a hard time in the big moments and the momentum killers, right now," coach Andrew Brunette said after the game.

The Predators did hold their first lead of the season after Filip Forsberg tipped home a Roman Josi shot with 8:14 left in the first period. But the Oilers clinched the win with Brett Kulak's empty net goal with 36 seconds left.

"The game was right there, but we've got to be cleaner." Jonathan Marchessault said after the loss. "It's a unit of five (players) out there, and I think we're a little bit disconnected."

Here's two key moments from the Predators' loss to the Oilers.

Why Andrew Brunette didn't challenge for goalie interference on Oilers' second goal

With 9:10 left in the second period, a scrum in front of the Nashville net led to a go ahead goal for Edmonton. But upon replay, it appeared an Edmonton attacker landed on Predators' Juuse Saros before the puck went in the net.

Jeff Skinner was credited with the goal, but a closer look determined the Predators knocked the puck into their own net.

After the game Brunette clarified that since it was an own goal, the Predators would lose a potential challenge for goaltender interference. Failed challenges would result in a delay of game penalty for Nashville, giving the Oilers a power play.

Oilers' Connor McDavid scores 44 seconds after Predators tie game

Soon after Skinner's goal made it 2-1, the Predators found themselves with a four minute power play courtesy of a high sticking call on Vasily Podkolzin. A few moments later, Jonathan Marchessault scored his first goal for Nashville, deflecting home a pass by Roman Josi to make it 2-2.

But the Oilers came right back. Connor McDavid scored his first goal of the season, grabbing a loose puck from the crease and putting the Oilers up 3-2.

Just 44 seconds after Nashville tied the game, they were down again.

"We talk about it all the time, the shift right after a goal," Brunette said. "Those are the momentum things that's kind of creeping up into our game right now."

Something similar occurred in the third period against Seattle on Tuesday, when Jaden Scwhartz and Jordan Eberle scored 79 seconds apart to put the Kraken up 4-2.

"We kind of go in spurts right now, where we put a good four or five shifts together, but we can't sustain it," Brunette said.

The Predators' next opportunity to get their first win comes Saturday when they take on the Red Wings at 1 p.m. at Bridgestone Arena.

Alex Daugherty is the Predators beat writer for The Tennessean. Contact Alex at jdaugherty@gannett.com . Follow Alex on X, the platform formerly called Twitter, @alexdaugherty1 . Also check out our Predators exclusive Instagram page @tennessean_preds .

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Two key moments that led to Nashville Predators' 4-2 loss to Edmonton Oilers