Jets fall 5-3 to feisty Predators in Nashville

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This article was published 20/11/2017 (2902 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

NASHVILLE – Some periods the Winnipeg Jets would like to bottle up and savour, but the middle period Monday night at the home of the Nashville Predators wasn’t worthy of remembrance.

Ugly wouldn’t be overstating things as the visitors surrendered three goals in the second frame and tried but failed in their comeback attempt, finally falling 5-3 to the Nashville Predators.

Winnipeg’s four-game winning streak was abruptly halted by the Predators, while the Jets finally lost to a Central Division opponent after coming in 4-0-0.

Nashville (12-6-2) has won seven of eight games in November. The Jets (12-5-3) were sloppy in their own end in the middle period and careless with their sticks, taking three minors that resulted in power-play goals by Kyle Turris and Mattias Ekholm. Ryan Johansen had scored earlier in the period.

“They just took over,” said captain Blake Wheeler. “A couple of penalties didn’t help our cause. We just didn’t do enough of the little things and they capitalized on their opportunities.”

The Jets, who had a four-game winning streak snapped, outshot the Predators 12-5 in the first period but had to settle for a 1-1 draw as Predators’ Kevin Fiala and Winnipeg’s Mathieu Perreault, with his first of two on the night, traded tallies.

After the intermission, Nashville notched the go-ahead goal just 26 seconds in on Johansen’s second goal of the season. Jets blue-liner Jacob Trouba mishandled the puck behind the red line, Filip Forsberg grabbed it and found Johansen alone in the slot.

The hosts took a two-goal lead on a one-timer by Turris – his fifth of the year and second since coming over in a trade from the Ottawa Senators Nov. 5 – with his team on the power play. Blue-liner Roman Josi set up the wicked blast that squeezed between starting goalie Connor Hellebuyck’s arm and mid-section.

Killing another penalty late in the period, Mark Scheifele had plenty of time to clear the puck but bobbled it to Fiala, and, after a couple pretty passes, Ekholm pumped in his fifth with just 58 seconds left in the second.

“Well, we get in the (penalty) box, that’s a problem for us (and) some self-inflicted wounds on the penalty kill, things we didn’t need to chase or turnovers we can’t have,” said Jets head coach Paul Maurice.

“We chased a face-off loss we shouldn’t chase (on Turris’ goal)… the second one, that’s got to get down (the ice).”

It was Winnipeg’s first of five games against the squad that lost the Stanley Cup championship series to the Pittsburgh Penguins last season.

The Jets have allowed at least five goals in all five of their losses in regulation time this season.

A concert at Bridgestone Arena the previous night clearly caused some ice issues, however, both teams had to deal with same surface.

“The puck was definitely bouncing, but both teams were playing on the same ice. We’re never going to use the ice as an excuse,” said Tyler Myers, who provided a third-period goal. “It is what it is. If we can be more aware if that’s happening, maybe make things a bit more simple, chip pucks in and get on them. Try to make plays that might create a turnover.”

Nick Bonino also scored for Nashville.

Down 5-1 midway through the third period, the Jets closed to within a pair on goals by Perreault and Myers but came up short.

“It was nice to see we fought back in the third. We didn’t show any quit in our game. We could have easily packed it in, with a 5-1 game. But we pushed back,” said Perreault. “It was nice to see the guys pushing hard.”

Perreault, who has five goals in just eight games and has scored in three straight contests, said it’s important the squad gets over this defeat in a hurry.

“Definitely, but you know what, we’ve been playing some good hockey. We’ll just put it behind us and focus on what’s coming ahead. We’re not going to change anything, we’re playing well right now. We like our record and we like where our game is at. It’s just one game.”

Jets right-winger Patrik Laine had registered at least a point in eight straight games but was held off the scoresheet by the Predators.

Hellebuyck, making his fourth straight start, blocked 25 shots, while Pekka Rinne made 32 saves for Nashville.

The battle in Music City represented the start of a four-game road trip for the Jets, who head to California for stops in Los Angeles Wednesday, Anaheim Friday afternoon and San Jose Saturday night.

jason.bell@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: WFPJasonBell