The Nashville Predators made the trip to the Arizona desert on Friday night, for the final game of the regular season against the 31st ranked Arizona Coyotes. A point against the Coyotes would have locked the Predators into the 1st Wild Card slot and allowed them to avoid a match up with the Colorado Avalanche, so unlike many games on the night, this one did have something to play for.
During the 3rd period, with the Predators trailing 5-4, Preds' forward Jeremy Davies would track the puck behind the Predators net followed by Nathan Smith. Davies was quickly able to position himself and land a good hard hit that sent Smith to the ice. Smith was down on the ice for sometime before being assisted to the locker room.
Smith was forced to leave the game and did not return. The Predators was unable to score another goal and fell 5-4 to the Coyotes, ensuring they'd meet the Colorado Avalanche in the 1st round. Without Juuse Saros in the lineup it's likely the Predators will be in well over their heads come Tuesday night.
