Peks has been having a few off days lately, but we still love him.

The Predators faced yet another loss at home last night as they welcome fellow Western Conference (while it still exists) team the Phoenix Coyotes to Nashville. This is the third loss out of the last five games for the Preds and the eighth loss at the Bridgestone Arena. This was also the first game of two that Jordin Tootoo has missed on his suspension after “making eye contact” with Buffalo’s goalie Ryan Miller and colliding with him. Did this have any effect on the Preds last night? We’d like say that’s the issue, but unfortunately, ummm…
Here’s the highlights from last night’s game:

KEY POINTS:

•  Sergei Kostitsyn returned to the ice last night after sustaining a minor injury and, in a good note, took a few shots on goal during the game. Has the old SK74 returned? One game isn’t enough to determine that, but we sure hope he is on his way back.
• Phoenix proved they came to Nashville to play by scoring their first goal of the night just nine seconds into the game. Poor Peks thought he had blocked the shot under his elbow, but unfortunately, the “Peks Reflex” was a little off on that one.
• The Predators managed to finally tie the game 1-1 at 19:48 in the first with goal from Jack Hillen. The goal was first awarded to Mike Fisher, but was credited to Hillen after being reviewed. Hillen was assisted by Craig Smith and Martin Erat.
• The Coyotes took the lead once again at 1:40 in the third, but Shea Weber kept the Predators alive with a nice goal at 12:53 on a Power Play. He was assisted by Ryan Suter and Patric Hornqvist.
• Phoenix would shut the Predators down at 18:15 with a 4-on-4 goal from Keith Yandle, giving the Predators yet another loss at home.
• Yandle’s 4-on-4 goal was caused by an incident between Sergei Kostitsyn and Phoenix’s Adrian Aucoin. Aucoin cornered SK74 and tossed his gloves off before Kostitsyn could, pummeling him until the refs could intervene. Aucoin attacked Sergei before he could drop his gloves, so technically Aucoin should have at least gotten a major for his actions, but instead, refs put both boys in the box, calling Adrian on Roughing and Sergei on Slashing. Slashing?! Really? Yet another ridiculous call on the Predators.
• The Coyotes didn’t out shoot the Preds by much (only 32-35), but three more shots were just enough to seal the win in Nashville. The Predators were given four power play chances, but managed to only score on one. Despite this, the Predators have gotten better with scoring on the PP. Here are the two offenders of the box for the Preds:

1. David Legwand – 6:58 2nd Period – Hooking
2. Sergei Kostitsyn – 16:41 3rd Period – “Slashing“

Besides the SK74 “slashing” incident, last night’s game was unnaturally quiet for the Bridgestone. It could be for the recent home losses, but Preds fans know better than that! Losses come and go and as fans, we have to expect the them as much as we expect the wins.

The Predators take off to Columbus to face the Blue Jackets tomorrow at 6PM CST.
GO PREDS.