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Not getting two points against the New Jersey Devils hurts for the Nashville Predators. It's their second straight overtime loss, their third straight loss, and it hurts their chances in the Western Conference playoff race.
But it's especially painful considering the play of backup goaltender Justus Annunen.
"It was disappointing not to get out of here with two (points)," coach Andrew Brunette said after the loss at Prudential Center on Jan. 29. "I thought we played well enough to get two (points)."
Goals from Michael McCarron and Filip Forsberg were enough to get the Predators to overtime, but Nico Hischier's well-placed shot in overtime gave the Devils a 3-2 win. It was a tough result for Nashville, which also lost in overtime to the Boston Bruins 3-2 on Jan. 27.
Annunen, making just his 12th start of the season, made 32 saves in the effort, his second-highest total of the season.
"I thought (Annunen) played well," Brunette said. "It's been a good stretch of him playing like that for the last month or so, so you're happy for him."
As backup to Juuse Saros, Annunen doesn't start many games that aren't back-to-backs, but he'd won three of his last four starts dating back to Dec. 21.
Starting with the team fully rested is a luxury he isn't usually afforded. but he responded with a solid game, helping the Predators (24-23-6, 54 points) earn a point they desperately need to stay in the playoff race.
POWER PLAY BACK? Has Andrew Brunette improved Predators' power play? Inside the numbers
"For the position he is, when you get these starts, he wants to make the most of them, and I thought he did tonight," Brunette added.
The Predators acquired Annunen in a trade with the Colorado Avalanche in November 2024. The 2018 third-round draft pick went 9-11-1 with an .888 save percentage in 20 starts backing up Saros last season, good enough to earn a two-year extension on Jan. 5. He will be an unrestricted free agent in 2028.
Next up, the Predators visit the New York Islanders on Jan. 31 (6 p.m. CT, FanDuel Sports Network).
JOSI'S NEW GEAR: What's on Roman Josi's neck? Why Predators' captain wears Q-Collar
Alex Daugherty is the Predators beat writer for The Tennessean. Contact Alex at[email protected]. Follow Alex on X, the platform formerly called Twitter, @alexdaugherty1. Also check out our Predators exclusive Instagram page @tennessean_preds.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Why Predators overtime loss to Devils is especially painful
Continue reading...
But it's especially painful considering the play of backup goaltender Justus Annunen.
"It was disappointing not to get out of here with two (points)," coach Andrew Brunette said after the loss at Prudential Center on Jan. 29. "I thought we played well enough to get two (points)."
Goals from Michael McCarron and Filip Forsberg were enough to get the Predators to overtime, but Nico Hischier's well-placed shot in overtime gave the Devils a 3-2 win. It was a tough result for Nashville, which also lost in overtime to the Boston Bruins 3-2 on Jan. 27.
Annunen, making just his 12th start of the season, made 32 saves in the effort, his second-highest total of the season.
"I thought (Annunen) played well," Brunette said. "It's been a good stretch of him playing like that for the last month or so, so you're happy for him."
As backup to Juuse Saros, Annunen doesn't start many games that aren't back-to-backs, but he'd won three of his last four starts dating back to Dec. 21.
Starting with the team fully rested is a luxury he isn't usually afforded. but he responded with a solid game, helping the Predators (24-23-6, 54 points) earn a point they desperately need to stay in the playoff race.
POWER PLAY BACK? Has Andrew Brunette improved Predators' power play? Inside the numbers
"For the position he is, when you get these starts, he wants to make the most of them, and I thought he did tonight," Brunette added.
The Predators acquired Annunen in a trade with the Colorado Avalanche in November 2024. The 2018 third-round draft pick went 9-11-1 with an .888 save percentage in 20 starts backing up Saros last season, good enough to earn a two-year extension on Jan. 5. He will be an unrestricted free agent in 2028.
Next up, the Predators visit the New York Islanders on Jan. 31 (6 p.m. CT, FanDuel Sports Network).
JOSI'S NEW GEAR: What's on Roman Josi's neck? Why Predators' captain wears Q-Collar
Alex Daugherty is the Predators beat writer for The Tennessean. Contact Alex at[email protected]. Follow Alex on X, the platform formerly called Twitter, @alexdaugherty1. Also check out our Predators exclusive Instagram page @tennessean_preds.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Why Predators overtime loss to Devils is especially painful
Continue reading...
