The Nashville Predators fell to the Boston Bruins 4-3 in a shootout in a game that should never have gotten that far.

Nashville was dominated by the physical Bruins from start to finish, but somehow managed to stay in it until eventually losing in a shootout.

It was Nashville's third loss in a row, and its fourth loss in six tries since the all-star break.

Video highlights and post-game reaction after the jump:

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The Nashville Predators played from behind most of the way tonight, and due to six penalties taken over the final two periods, couldn't take control of tonight's game, falling to the Ottawa Senators 4-3. The Sens halted a 7-game losing streak thanks to two scores by defenseman Chris Phillips (playing in his 1000th NHL game), his first two goals of the season. Nashville got a goal by Martin Erat with 8.6 seconds left to pull within one, but that wasn't enough this time.

Video highlights and post-game reaction from this one follow after the jump:

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It was the battle of two top-three power plays and the winning team went 1-1 on the man advantage, the losers 0-4. Go figure.

Vancouver's lone power play tally was the first goal of the game, as Ryan Kesler scored on a one-timer at 11:42. Frustratingly, Pekka was square Kesler on the play, but still couldn't make the save. Colin Wilson answered quickly, though, at 13:47, walking into the Canucks zone 1-on-2, scoring through the tiny space between Luongo's left arm and body.

Tied, and with their second power play chance late in the period, the Predators looked in good shape, but they promptly dug a nice-sized hole for themselves, allowing two goals in the final 100 seconds of the period. The recently recalled Byron Bitz, who had all of one goal this season in the AHL, scored his first of the year on an odd-man rush created by a bad Preds' change. Bitz added his first assist of the season a few seconds later, when Henrik Sedin beat Francis Bouillon to the front of the net.

To their immense credit, the Predators stuck to the system, confident they had mostly outplayed the Cancuks for 18 minutes of the first. After a productive shift from the Yip-Spaling-Tootoo line, Kevin Klein deflected a puck of Sergei Kostitsyn's skate and into the net, just like they practice. Roberto Luongo then decided to even it up, kicking a Shea Weber shot into his own net. They gave the goal to Mike Fisher, because why not?

That score would hold through a third period in which the Canucks mostly controlled the play (though David Legwand uncharacteristically looked off an empty net) and an overtime in which the Preds had some chances.

The Preds shot themselves in the foot tonight, but get full marks for coming back and being uncharacteristically aggressive in overtime. Hard to be too disappointed with a point tonight, especially since Vancouver will probably win their division anyway. Besides, this game going to overtime ticks off all our rivals!

Notes, highlights, and shootout judgement after the jump

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The Predators took an early 2-0 lead against the Blues in Nashville and then a goaltending battle broke out. The following is a metaphor for said battle:

Don't bring a knife to a Pekka Rinne fight.

Nashville struck first early on the power play. St. Louis' PK aggressively attacked Weber and Suter, but the forwards supported the puck well and Hornqvist found Erat open at the point, where he scored on a 50-foot slap shot. After withstanding continued pressure from St. Louis, the Predators countered with a solid forechecking shift from their top line. Kostitsyn found Fisher in front of the net, who used a nifty drag-play to beat Halak at 12:30.

The second period was notable mostly for the Preds' inability to finish off the Blues. Jaroslav Halak was a perfect 17-17, stopping many second efforts, and causing a frustrated Colin Wilson to break his stick over his knee Bo Jackson-style in the period's final minute.

Not to outdone, though, Pekka Rinne's third frame was even more spectacular, with 19 saves, 2 of the career highlight reel variety. Chris Porter put the fear into Preds' fans hearts when he picked Roman Josi's pocket and cut the deficit to one at 4:01. But from there on out, Pekka stole the show, making unbelievable sprawling glove saves at 9:17 and 11:18 on Matt D'Agostini and Kris Russell, respectively. The Kris Russell save was a stop of the year candidate. (Video).

Sergei Kostitsyn scored the empty-netter, on a pass from David Legwand, proving once and for all that:

1. Sergei is the shooting% king.

2. The Preds will pass on every odd-man rush, even if there isn't a goalie.

Notes, highlights, & Brian McGrattan fighting after the jump.

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Wayne Simmonds scored twice (on 10 shots!) as the Nashville Predators' five-game winning streak came to a close tonight in a 4-1 loss at Philadelphia. Anders Lindback saw his record sink to 2-6 as he got the start in place of Pekka Rinne, but his play wasn't the problem for the Preds. Instead, a rough-and-tumble second period seemed to turn the tide...

Listen in for the radio highlights from 102.5 The Game:

Predators Flyers highlights 2012-02-02

Video highlights and post-game reaction from this one follow after the jump:

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The Nashville Predators played one of the sloppiest games all season in their defensive zone tonight against the Minnesota Wild. So they came up with a fresh game plan, and tried spending the last half of the 3rd period in the offensive end, instead.

That paved the way for another unbelievable comeback, as Nashville won after trailing 4-1 midway through the final period.

UPDATE: Listen in to the radio highlights, courtesy of 102.5 The Game:

Predators Wild highlights 2012-01-31 (mp3)

Video highlights and post-game reaction from today's win after the jump:

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The Nashville Predators representation in today's All Star Game was a little understated, but showcasing defensemen has never been a big part of this event anyway. Ryan Suter tallied one assist with a -2 rating while Shea Weber went scoreless and a +2, as Team Chara pulled away midway through the 3rd period to earn the 12-9 win. Marian Gaborik of the New York Rangers was named the All-Star MVP with 3 goals and an assist.

We've got the video highlights and more after the jump...

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The Predators bested the Blackhawks in a pretty even game tonight, and in so doing, jumped them in the standings, taking third in the Central Division and the fifth seed in the Western conference. 9-1 in their last ten, the team has definitely earned a full week break (their next game is January 31 in Minnesota).

Nashville played a solid road game tonight, in that they took the lead earlier and didn't blow it. Craig Smith opened the scoring at 11:49 in the first on a Halischuk-style-spin-and-shoot^TM, after he and Matty ice combined on some solid forechecking. The Preds then went back On the Forecheck® after a hellish shift from Ellis-Hillen, and Patrick Hornqvist kicked the puck to Mike Fisher, who scored his fourth in four games.

The good guys avoided their patented second-period slide by spending the first eight minutes of it on some type of special teams assignment (an early PK, followed by a four minute block of 5-4 advantage). The third period was a little more stressful, with the Hawks converting one of three power play chances. A too many men call late, however, allowed the Preds to close out the game on the power play, and Colin Wilson put it on ice with the empty netter.

Notes, video highlights, & errata after the jump.

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