Momentum is an especially fleeting commodity for the Nashville Predators these days.
That was made abundantly clear yet again during the team’s two-game visit to Stockholm, when the Preds — after producing an inspirational, come-from-behind victory in the first contest abroad — came out flatter than a Swedish noodle en route to losing 4-0 in the second contest Sunday.
In so doing, the Predators not only lost for the sixth time in the last seven games, but also failed to match their season high of two straight victories, a streak that has been achieved only once — Oct. 23 through Oct. 25 — in 2025-26.
So outside of serving as a wonderful homecoming for forward Filip Forsberg and defenseman Adam Wilsby, the Predators (6-10-4) gained little from their European excursion.
Any positives found in the late rally to beat Pittsburgh 2-1 in overtime last Friday seemed immediately washed away by Sunday’s lackluster effort, when Nashville surrendered three first-period goals and was shut out for the first time this season.
The Predators were outshot 11-2 in the first period of Sunday’s game, failing to match the Penguins’ sense of urgency.
“It was disappointing,” Preds coach Andrew Brunette said. “I think the traction that we gained [on Friday], we let slip away again, especially the first period. I thought all the things that we talked about that we did on Friday, we did not do [on Sunday], and we knew [the Penguins] would have a bigger sense of urgency. The puck meant more to them than us that period.”
The Predators have played approximately one quarter of the season, and there is not a lot of reason for optimism moving forward.
Nashville ranks 31st in goals per game (2.40) and 29th in goals allowed per contest (3.50). The Predators are tied for the second fewest wins in the league (six) and second lowest points total (16).
It looked for a day or two that maybe the Preds might get a shot of momentum overseas, but the team returns home still trying to find consistency heading into Saturday’s home game against Colorado.
“The mindset and the urgency and the competitiveness in our game wasn’t there early [on Sunday],” Brunette said. “So, yeah, it’s disappointing because I thought [Friday’s win] was something we can grab and hold onto. Now we’ve got to go back to work again.”