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Preds fall in final home game of 2019

Preds fall in final home game of 2019

NASHVILLE, TN – DECEMBER 27: Pittsburgh Penguins winger Dominik Simon (12) celebrates his first period goal as a dejected Nashville Predators goalie Pekka Rinne (35), of Finland, defenseman Matt Irwin (52) and center Kyle Turris (8) look on during the NHL game between the Nashville Predators and Pittsburgh Penguins, held on December 27, 2019, at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee. Also shown is right wing Sam Lafferty (37). (Photo by Danny Murphy/Icon Sportswire)

In the final home game of 2019, the Nashville Predators were not up to task in the first game of a back-to-back home-and-home against the Pittsburgh Penguins, falling 5-2. The Penguins went up early, but Nashville responded with Craig Smith notching his sixth of the year. Pittsburgh then took charge of the game to close out the first period with goals from Alex Galchenyuk and Teddy Blueger.

It didn’t get much better for the Predators in the second period as they went down 5-1, with Penguins goals from Bryan Rust and Juuso Riikola. There were a few missed opportunities from Nashville in the game, including a shorthanded opportunity from Ryan Johansen that went off the post among others.

About midway through the third, tempers flared, and Mattias Ekholm was sent to the locker room early. With Matt Irwin sitting in the box for a penalty of his own, the Predators were down to three able defenseman with Dan Hamhuis suffering an upper body injury in the first period. Calle Jarnkrok stepped in on the blue line for some of the third. It should be noted that forward Colton Sissons also left the game with a lower body injury in the first period. Viktor Arvidsson added a goal immediately following the fracas, bringing the game to a little more respectable difference.

Post game report includes Roman Josi and Viktor Arvidsson.

Photo by Danny Murphy/Icon Sportswire

Justin is the author of "The Making of Smashville." An award-winning reporter, in 2013, he received the Silver Medal in the Best Sports Reporter Category for The Tennessean's Toast of Music City reader's poll. In 2014 & 2015, Justin was voted as the Best Sports Reporter in Nashville. In 2014, PenaltyBoxRadio.com received the silver medal as Best Blog in Nashville. In 2015, the website received the award for Best Sports Blog in Music City. In 2016, the site was awarded 2nd place as Best Blog in Nashville. He has been a featured guest on "NHL Tonight" on NHL Network, "Inside Sports Sunday on WSMV-TV, "All Things Considered" on NPR, "Road to the Cup" on WKRN-TV, "Sportsline" on NewsC hannel 5+, "Predators Playoffs Today" on ESPN 102.5 The Game, TSN 1290 Winnipeg, Sportsnet 590 The Fan - Toronto, TSN 1260 Edmonton, WGR Sports Radio 550 - Buffalo, and featured in The Ringer, Saturday Down South and The Tennessean. Credentialed by the Nashville Predators, the NHL (Stanley Cup Final, Draft, All Star Game), WCHA and CHL.

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