The Nashville Predators (20-30-7) lost their captain, Roman Josi, to an upper-body injury as they fell 4-1 to the reigning Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers (35-21-3) Tuesday at Bridgestone Arena.
Josi took a hit from Panthers forward Sam Bennett along the boards late in the second period and did not return for the third.
Spencer Knight made 18 saves in goal for the Panthers, who have won three of their last four. Juuse Saros made 21 saves for Nashville in the loss.
How the Predators Lined Up vs. Florida
Forsberg-O’Reilly-Marchessault
Stamkos-Svechkov-Nyquist
Bellows-Novak-Evangelista
Smith-McCarron-Sissons
Josi-Schenn
Skjei-Blankenburg
Englund-Barron
Saros
Annunen
Extra: Livingstone, Jankowski (day-to-day, upper-body), L’Heureux (week-to-week, upper-body)
IR: Lauzon, Wilsby
Forward Kieffer Bellows made his Predators debut in place of Mark Jankowski, who exited Sunday’s game against the New Jersey Devils after the second period and is now day-to-day with an upper-body injury.
Predators vs. Panthers: Pregame Stats
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The Predators have spent 44.3% of time in the offensive zone this season (via NHL EDGE). That’s the third most in the NHL, right behind… the Florida Panthers (44.5%).
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Predators forward Jonathan Marchessault is just two goals away from 250 in his career. The only active undrafted player to reach that milestone is New York Rangers forward Artemi Panarin.
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Predators forward Steven Stamkos, who signed a four-year deal with Nashville in the offseason, is currently in the longest scoring drought of his 17-year NHL career. Entering Tuesday’s contest, he has gone nine games without recording a point.
Predators vs. Panthers Live Updates
First Period (FLA 1, NSH 0)
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At the end of the first period, the Predators and Panthers had an even number of scoring chances (5) and high danger chances (1), according to Natural Stat Trick. Florida had the 11-7 shot advantage.
Second Period (FLA 2, NSH 0)
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McCarron dropped the gloves for the eighth time this season, scrapping with Jonah Gadjovich in Nashville’s end just two minutes into the second period.
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Panthers forward Justin Sourdif, skating in his fourth NHL game, scored his first career NHL goal at the 4:21 mark. Receiving a pass from Jesper Boqvist in transition, Sourdif went top shelf to extend Florida’s lead to 2-0.
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With the Predators trailing the Panthers 2-0, Predators captain Roman Josi took a huge hit from Sam Bennett in the defensive zone. Bennett hit him high while trying to collect a puck…