Fast start doesn't help Predators end losing streak

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Right from the start Tuesday it looked as if the Nashville Predators were determined to end their scoring drought and – while they were at it – their losing streak.

Instead, Colorado’s Wojtek Wolski scored twice, which was once more than the Predators, who dropped their fifth straight, 2-1 to the Avalanche before 13,598 at the Sommet Center.

They have been held to two goals or fewer every game of the streak and nine times in their last 11.

“If it’s not hard, it’s probably not worth a damn,” coach Barry Trotz said. “We’re going through some hard times together and this will make us stronger if we react the right way.

“… Hope doesn’t work, you have to have purpose.”

That they did for a time, beginning with the moment captain Jason Arnott cleanly won the opening faceoff.

Nashville (17-19-3) dominated the first minutes with a determined and sustained attack. When Ryan Jones knocked home the rebound of a J.P. Dumont shot for a 1-0 lead 7:30 into the contest, the shots on goal were 8-0 in favor of the Predators.

“For this year, that’s definitely the best we’ve come out,” defenseman Shea Weber said. “We came out with energy and everybody was flying. Pucks were going to the net, it’s just unfortunate we didn’t get more from it.”

With 5:25 to play in the first, Nashville had 11 shots on goal. Then there were another nine attempts that had been blocked or the eight others that had missed the target.

Of course, that was the point when Wolski scored for the first time – on the Avalanche’s fourth shot and just their sixth attempt (two were blocked and none missed the target).

Nashville got just one shot on goal the remainder of that period, five in the entire second and eventually outshot the Avalanche (20-19-1) by just two, 23-21. In terms of pucks thrown at the net, however, the difference was massive as the Predators had another 23 blocked and 24 that missed the mark as compared to 11 and 6, respectively by Colorado.

Trotz said he and his staff credited Colorado with just eight scoring chances for the entire contest, which was the fewest he could recall in a Predators’ game.

“Guys aren’t giving up at all,” Arnott said. “It’s just not going in the net. That’s all I can say. It’s mind-boggling.”

Wolski got his second – the game-winner – at 15:47 of the second period. Both were set up by passes from Milan Hejduk and came off the rush against the Predators’ top offensive line of the night, Arnott, Vernon Fiddler and Martin Erat.

“We did some things, but we did lose the game,” Trotz said. “Our left winger [Erat] did a poor job on their two goals, plain and simple. The game’s about details. If we take care of those details, they probably have two less chances to score and maybe it’s a 1-0 game.

“If things aren’t going our way, then that’s the way we’re going to have to do it. Everybody’s going to have to adjust their game or do what they have to do to win.”

BRIEFLY: Jones was recalled prior to the game. His goal was his fourth in the NHL and gave him seven points (four goals, three assists) in 17 appearances for the Predators. He had 17 points (11 goals, six assists) in 21 games for Milwaukee. “Anytime you can put the team ahead early in the game, hopefully you tilt the ice your way,” Jones said. “Unfortunately, we had a couple bad bounces and hit a couple posts or the game would have been totally different.” … To make room in the lineup for Jones, forward Joel Ward was scratched. Ward had played in 36 of the previous 38 games, including 23 straight. “I just think his game’s fallen off,” Trotz said. “… I need desperation from Joel.” … Nashville and Colorado concluded their season series. Colorado won three of the four meetings and allowed just five goals. The teams had split the series each of the previous two seasons, and the last time the Avalanche got the better of it was 2002-03.

SCORING SUMMARY

First period

Nashville (7:30) – Ryan Jones (4). Assists: J.P. Dumont (25), Ryan Suter (17).

Colorado (14:25) – Wojtek Wolski (8). Assists: Milan Hejduk (15), Ryan Smyth (15).

Second period

Colorado (15:47) – Wojtek Wolski (9). Assists: Milan Hejduk (16), Ruslan Salei (9).

Third period

None.

Goalies: Colorado – Andrew Raycroft (7-1-0) 23 shots, 22 saves; Nashville – Pekka Rinne (7-5-0) 21 shots, 19 saves.