Predators 1 - 5 Canucks
Final
  for this game

Preds visit Canucks in clash between struggling teams

Oct 20, 2011 - 3:10 PM (Sports Network) - It hasn't been the best of starts to the season for either the Predators or the Canucks. Scoring goals has been at the root of both the team's problems.

Nashville tries to avoid a fourth straight setback this evening, while Vancouver aims for its third victory in seven games so far in the young season.

The Predators opened the season with consecutive road wins at Columbus and St. Louis, netting seven goals in that span. However, they have been held to five goals in losing three straight (0-2-1) and managed to find the back of the net only once in Monday's 3-1 defeat in Edmonton.

Sergei Kostitsyn had the lone goal and Pekka Rinne stopped 22 of the 24 shots he faced as the Predators lost the opener of a three-game swing through western Canada that ends in Calgary on Saturday.

Nashville came away with only 12 shots on goal, a number that left defenseman Shea Weber frustrated.

"We didn't generate any offense. We didn't play hard in our own end. This is one of the worst losses I've ever been a part of," said Weber.

Even David Legwand wasn't immune to the struggles. The forward had notched a point in each of Nashville's first four games, posting two goals and six assists in that span, but was held off the scoresheet on Monday.

Nashville hasn't lost four in a row since Feb. 19-26.

While the Predators failed to generate many chances on Monday, the Canucks fired 40 shots towards the Rangers and Henrik Lundqvist on Tuesday. However, the goaltender stopped them all and Vancouver lost a 4-0 decision.

Roberto Luongo made nine saves through the first two periods, but yielded four goals on 10 shots faced in the third.

Vancouver was shut out for the second time in three games despite eight power- play chances.

"We need to convert on one of those power plays to turn the tables," Canucks forward Chris Higgins said.

Center Ryan Kesler, who netted 41 goals last year, saw his first game action this year after having offseason hip surgery. The reigning Selke Trophy winner had three shots in just over 19 minutes of ice time.

"You got to give credit where credit is due. [Lundqvist's] one of the best in the game and he played like it tonight," added Kesler. "Saying that, it seemed like we were doing all the right things we just weren't burying them."

These two clubs split four meetings a season ago, but the Canucks have won 10 of the last 15 meetings overall.






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