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Offensive struggles will continue to plague the Nashville Predators

By Colton Pickard

TAMPA, FLORIDA - JANUARY 30: Mathieu Olivier #25 of the Nashville Predators celebrates a goal during a game against the Tampa Bay Lightning at Amalie Arena on January 30, 2021 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FLORIDA - JANUARY 30: Mathieu Olivier #25 of the Nashville Predators celebrates a goal during a game against the Tampa Bay Lightning at Amalie Arena on January 30, 2021 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /
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The Nashville Predators have been plagued by falling short on the offensive side of the ice, and they’ll need to figure it out if they want to be successful.

ESPN has ranked the Nashville Predators No. 22 in the NHL in its weekly power rankings, and I think it’s a fair ranking, but the Preds are better than 22nd in the league.

The Predators have been unable to find consistency on either side of the ice, but especially on offense. One of the only consistencies the Predators have seen this year is the consistent struggle on offense and inability to keep up with some other teams they’ve faced.

Going into their tenth game of the season, Nashville ranks 27th in the NHL in scoring. That’s only 2.33 goals per game, and that’s not close to where the Predators need to be if they want to be a competitive team in the NHL this season.

In its power rankings, ESPN noted that the Predators haven’t been able to get the lead and hold it for very long. The Predators have had the lead in their first nine games of the season for less than 38 total minutes, which also isn’t going to get the job done.

Whether it be Filip Forsberg, Viktor Arvidsson, or Roman Josi, someone will have to step up and take control on the ice and put the puck in the net. Someone will have to make sure the Predators can take the lead throughout the season and hold onto it until the third-period buzzer sounds.

Last week, the Preds dropped back-to-back games against the Tampa Bay Lightning, and the Predators will face the Lightning again tonight for the third time in five games.

The Predators have also dropped three of its last four games, and losing to the Lightning again tonight will drop the Preds two games below .500 early in the season.

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We’ve seen the Predators struggle with inconsistencies for the past two seasons, and it doesn’t look like they’re going to get over those inconsistencies any time soon. The Preds will look to improve to 6-6 early in the season with a win tonight over the Lightning.

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