Nashville Predators extend losing streak to six, as Boston wins 3-2

The same old chronic problems kept the Predators out of the win column once again, as the power play went 0-for-3 and the high-paid duo of David Legwand and Martin Erat combined for a mere one assist and two shots as the Predators fell in Boston, 3-2.

Video highlights after the jump...

Encouragingly, the Preds got on the board first, with Jerred Smithson snagging his first of the season. David Legwand carried the puck into the zone, but as he got tied up by a defender, Smithson jumped on the loose puck and fired a wrister underneath Tim Thomas for the score.

Early in the second period Michael Ryder tied it up for Boston as a bouncing puck got past Ryan Suter along the boards, creating a 2-on-1 situation that Kevin Klein couldn't stop. Less than six minutes later, however, Colin Wilson put the Preds ahead with his first career NHL goal; it came as Patric Hornqvist put a shot on goal, and Wilson headed into the crease to bang home the rebound. It had to be a thrill for the rookie to score his first goal in the city where he'd been a college star for the last two seasons.

That lead wasn't to last, however, as Patrice Bergeron tied it back up for the Bruins. Zdeno Chara kept a puck in at the point and blasted a shot on Dan Ellis, while Bergeron crept in from the side of the crease for the score.

Steve Begin put the Bruins ahead to stay on a bit of a broken play; Shea Weber was pursuing the puck to clear it out of the zone, but collided with a referee. That led to clear possession for Boston and an immediate score.

Dan Ellis generally played well in net for Nashville, stopping 24 of 27 shots. The Preds fired 30 shots at Tim Thomas, with Steve Sullivan leading the Preds with 4 shots of his own.

Boston also dominated on faceoffs, with a 34-21 advantage. Legwand was the biggest victim for Nashville, winning only 6 of 18 draws.

The Preds turn right around tomorrow night face the Senators in Ottawa.