While coming into the second night of a back-to-back tilt will always bring with it a degree of fatigue, the Capitals’ were hoping for quite a different start to their Tuesday night matchup against the Nashville Predators after a poor showing against the St. Louis Blues last night. Instead, another slow start finds the Caps down 2-0 after one period of play in the home of Country Music. 

The Caps found themselves down by one 3:45 into the game on a Viktor Arvidsson breakaway goal, putting the Preds ahead early after a turnover by the Capitals. Nick Bonino would find the back of the net just several minutes later when he converted a pass from Colton Sissons on a 2-on-1 to put the Predators ahead by two.

Arvidsson’s goal:

Arvidsson scores on the break, 1-0 Predators. #CapsPreds pic.twitter.com/DluB86o3yp

— NBC Sports Capitals (@NBCSCapitals) January 16, 2019

Bonino’s goal:

Nick Bonino makes it 2-0. #CapsPreds pic.twitter.com/TYuEzbGCTT

— NBC Sports Capitals (@NBCSCapitals) January 16, 2019

Through one period of play, the Caps were outshot 9-8, had five giveaways, and six shots blocked (to Nashville’s two). The positives for the Capitals included winning 59% of the opening frame’s faceoffs and outhitting the Predators 9-5. Goaltender Pheonix Copley stopped seven of nine shots for a save percentage of .778, while 10 players were minus-1 after one period of play.