Preds earn shootout loss point, lose ground in playoff race

Blake Geoffrion scored his first NHL goal but the Nashville Predators managed just one point as they fell to the Edmonton Oilers 2-1 in a shootout [1] on Tuesday in Edmonton.

David Legwand, who scored the game-winning goal Sunday against Columbus, had a chance to end the shootout in regulation but the Predators’ third skater had a backhand attempt deflect off the crossbar. The Oilers ended it in the fourth round.

With that outcome, Nashville lost ground in the Western Conference playoff race as Dallas and Calgary both won.

The Predators had a decisive edge in shots (35-26), including 18-7 in the first period, but failed to separate themselves from the Oilers, who have the NHL’s worst record. Edmonton recorded two of the three shots in the four-on-four overtime period.

Geoffrion gave Nashville a 1-0 lead when he got to the front of the net and drove home a pass from Ryan Suter. It was the third career game for the franchise’s top 2006 draft pick (second round, 56th overall), who made his NHL debut Saturday at Dallas.

The advantage was short-lived, however, as Edmonton answered 41 seconds later when defenseman Jim Vandermeer’s shot from the point found its way through traffic and past goalie Pekka Rinne.

It remained that way throughout the rest of regulation and overtime.

Nashville continues its current four-game road trip Thursday at Vancouver, which has the league’s best record.