From the Locker Room: Predators React to 4-3 Loss to Rangers

The Nashville Predators continue to be streaky, only this time not in a good way.v

After following up a four-game losing streak with a six-game win streak, the Predators have dropped two in a row after a 4-3 loss to the New York Rangers on Saturday at Bridgestone Arena.

The Predators jumped out to an early 2-0 first-period lead thanks to goals by Ryan O’Reilly (11) and Roman Josi (5), but as has been their M.O. this season, they couldn’t hold onto a multi-goal lead.

Jacob Trouba got the Rangers on the board 31 seconds into the second period, but Colton Sissons notched his third short-handed goal of the year seven minutes later to give the Predators their two-goal lead back.

However, Chris Kreider and Vincent Trocheck went back-to-back 19 seconds apart to pull the Rangers back into it. Ryan Lindgren added the game-winner 5:10 into the third period, and the Predators have now lost consecutive games against their former head coaches in John Hynes and Peter Laviolette.

Kevin Lankinen stopped 23 of 27 shots in just his fifth start of the year. He’s now 3-2-0 with a 2.83 goals-against average and .902 save percentage.

Below are some post-game thoughts from the Predators locker room following Tuesday night’s win.

Roman Josi on coming up short against the best team in the league, trading momentum back-and-forth with the Rangers and the Predators responding positively after the loss to the Wild:

Ryan O’Reilly on performing poorly in the face-off circle and how the Predators have held up playing against some of the top teams in the NHL:

Kevin Lankinen on the Predators giving the Rangers a run for their money and how the team responded after New York scored two quick goals in the second period:

Andrew Brunette on liking the team’s performance in a losing effort, Nashville’s response after a bad 6-1 loss against Minnesota on Thursday, and why he scratched defenseman Tyson Barrie: