Just two games into the 2012-13 season, the Nashville Predators remain winless, dropping both contests in a shootout to division foes.

Blues Predators Hockey

Leading 3-2 in the third period, Nashville allowed the St. Louis Blues to tie the game with just under 8 minutes remaining in regulation.

Despite the frustrating loss, Predators forward Mike Fisher saw a silver lining.

“It was a battle all game going back and forth. I thought we played better than Saturday night. Many parts of our game were better. We gave ourselves a chance again, but we came up short in the shootout. It is frustrating, but overall it was better.”

After going 1-for-1 on the power play in Saturday night’s shootout loss to Columbus, two of Nashville’s three goals were scored with the man advantage on Monday night.

The Predators had 7 power-play chances, with the last coming less than a minute after the Blues tied the game in the middle of the third period, but Nashville was unable to register a shot on goal.

“Guys were getting tired, you could see it,” Fisher explained. “It was one of those points in the game where we have to be sharp. We had been rolling three (lines) and the guys were getting tired, and they were pressuring us a little bit more, but we had to make that one count.”

Fisher picked up his first goal of the season late in the first period. With Roman Polak in the penalty box for interference, Fisher beat Jaroslav Halak when he took a feed from Martin Erat in front of the net.

“It was just a breakout power play. We threw them something a little bit different. It was a great play up the middle by (Patric) Hornqvist, and Marty (Erat) saw me streaking in and made a great play,” Fisher said.

Colin Wilson opened scoring 9:10 into the first period, but the Blues answered just over a minute later when rookie Vladimir Tarasenko beat goaltender Pekka Rinne. Tarasenko has five points in two games, including two goals and three assists.

Andy McDonald and Fisher exchanged power play goals to keep things even after the opening frame.

Hornqvist gave the Predators the lead just 7:07 into the second period when his backhand shot beat Halak, chasing him from the net. The power-play tally was the third point for Hornqvist on the night. Brian Elliott took over goaltending duties for the Blues, shutting down Nashville’s offense.

With two shootout losses to open the season, the Predators play again tomorrow when they face Ryan Suter and the Minnesota Wild.