Nashville Predators humiliated by Winnipeg 5-0

Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada – The Nashville Predators were no match tonight for the central division leading Winnipeg Jets, getting shutout 5-0.

There will be a lot of soul searching in the Predators locker room after this one, and it will be interesting to see which direction this team goes from here. 

Nashville was hoping for a chance to take over the division with a win, and now they’re looking over their shoulder at St. Louis making a charge for second place.

The first period was an intense period of hockey, with both teams trading punches at both ends of the ice.  Plenty of scoring opportunities for both teams, but the period ended with no score.  Nashville outshot the Jets 12-8.  

Then the second period began and Winnipeg took over.

Kyle Connor lifted the puck past Rinne for his first of three goals on the night, and the Jets took the lead, 1-0.  Andrew Copp and Kevin Hayes added two more as the period ended mercifully for Nashville, 3-0.  Winnipeg outshot the Predators 19-9.

There was still some hope for Nashville as the third period began, as Nashville had come from a three goal deficit the last time these two teams met in Canada, only to lose that one, 5-3.

But it was not to be for the Predators, in one of their most humiliating performances of the season.

Winnipeg add two more goals by Connor to finish the game, 5-0.

On the night, the Jets outshot the Predators 43-33. 

Nashville will head to Minnesota on Monday night for a match against the Wild who are fighting for a playoff spot, then they’ll have three days off before landing in Pittsburgh for a rematch with the Penguins.

The Predators will return home on Saturday night to host the Columbus Blue Jackets, who are also fighting for a playoff spot.  Puck drops at 7pm.