From The Locker Room: Predators React To 4-2 Loss To Kings

Looking at the box score from Wednesday night’s matchup with the Los Angeles Kings, and one would think the Nashville Predators left Bridgestone Arena with a dominant win.

They outshot the Kings 41 to 24, they won the face-off battle 29 to 19, they had four power-play opportunities to L.A.’s one, and they dominated in expected goals for 2.62 to 1.17, per Money Puck.

And yet, somehow, they still managed to lose — and by multiple goals at that (though L.A.’s last one was an empty netter with 1:09 left with goaltender Juuse Saros pulled for the extra attacker).

Kings goaltender David Rittich, who had a 3.57 goals-against average for the Predators during the 2021-22 season, put forth a 39-save effort and allowed just two goals Wednesday night to help seal the win for L.A. His .951 save percentage against the Predators was 22 points higher than any of his starts when he played for Nashville.

Filip Forsberg (24) and Philip Tomasino (7) had the lone goals for the Predators, who fell to 26-23-2 and trail the Kings and St. Louis Blues for the Western Conference wild card.

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

Roman Josi on the frustration of not cashing in on multiple scoring chances, where the Predators stand heading into the All-Star break, and the team’s lack of success on the power play:

Filip Forsberg on where the Predators stand heading into the All-Star break and what they have to do to start converting their scoring chances into goals:

Head coach Andrew Brunette on being pleased with the team’s effort despite not getting positive results, lacking the confidence to finish scoring chances, and what to expect from the Predators’ younger players:

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