VIDEO: Washington Capitals Players Stop Playing, Give Up Game-Tying Goal

Capitals Vs. Predators: Caps Leave 'Music City' On Low Note In 3-1 Loss To Predators

For nearly the entirety of Tuesday's game between the Washington Capitals and Nashville Predators, the goalies stole the show. Yet, when it came down to the last five minutes, the Predators smelled blood.

The Predators scored three times in less than four minutes after the Caps took a late 1-0 lead in the third period and held on for a 3-1 win.

Troy Brouwer broke the scoreless tie after nearly 55 minutes at 15:14. Marcus Johansson brought the puck up alongside the left boards and sent a centering pass to Brouwer. Brouwer used Mike Fisher as a screen and fired a wrist shot past Pekka Rinne blocker side to give the Caps a 1-0 lead. It was Brouwer's fifth goal of the season.

Less than 30 seconds later, however, Tomas Vokoun looked human for the first time when Martin Erat beat him at 15:42. Fisher sent a pass to Shea Weber as he was cutting to the net. Weber sent a no-look pass across the crease that caught Vokoun flat-footed and left Erat wide open for a tap-in.

With 25 seconds left, the Predators took their only lead of the game. Colin Wilson worked the puck in the offensive zone and created space for himself to send a pass to Erat behind the net. Erat was able to find enough space between the post and Vokoun to send a centering pass to a charging Wilson, who put it in the net for his fourth goal of the season. Shea Weber added an empty-net goal five seconds later to seal the victory.

Rinne made 39 saves, while Vokoun made 28 of his own in a solid performance. The Caps have now lost six of nine and will head to Winnipeg to face the Jets Thursday.

Capitals Vs. Predators: Tomas Vokoun, Pekka Rinne Stealing Show, Game Tied At 0-0

In the "Music City," Tomas Vokoun and Pekka Rinne are stealing the show.

Vokoun made eight saves and Rinne made 15 in a wild second period that ended scoreless between the Washington Capitals and Nashville Predators.

Both goalies made unbelievable saves. Rinne made a save facing away from the net, while Vokoun stopped Mike Fisher on a shorthanded breakaway. The Caps' best chance came when Troy Brouwer cut to the net and sent a pass out to Roman Hamrlik, whose shot hit the inside of the post as a flailing Rinne attempted to recover in the crease.

Capitals Vs. Predators: Washington Weathers Nashville's Storm As First Period Ends Scoreless

The Washington Capitals struggled to start their offense early in the first period against the Nashville Predators, but turned it on late as the first period ended in a scoreless tie.

The Predators dominated the flow of possession throughout the first half of the period and ultimately got 10 shots on Tomas Vokoun, who made some sprawling saves to keep the Caps in the game. Later in the period, however, Washington put the pressure on Nashville by getting the last six shots on goal during the period.

The Caps' best chance came late when Shea Weber and Ryan Suter, Nashville's two best defensemen, found themselves in the penalty box. Washington couldn't score on the abbreviated 4-on-3 advantage, but had some quality scoring chances on the ensuing 5-on-3 with Brooks Laich getting the best chance in close. Yet, Pekka Rinne was there to make an acrobatic save.

Shots are 10-8 in favor of Nashville.

Capitals Vs. Predators Game Time, TV Schedule And More

The Washington Capitals and Nashville Predators will play the first of two regular season meetings scheduled this season on Tuesday night. Washington won the two teams' lone meeting last season, a 3-2 overtime victory at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville. Last season's win was the sixth consecutive win for Washington over Nashville, so perhaps Tuesday night's game against the Predators will help Washington overcome its recent struggles. The Caps have now lost three of four after blowing an early lead in a 4-3 loss to New Jersey on Saturday night.

Here's the game information to get you ready for the first of three games away from Verizon Center for the Capitals.

Capitals (10-4-1) at Predators (8-5-3) Game Information

When: 8:00 pm EST

Where: Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, TN

TV Information:

• Washington: Comcast Sports Net Mid-Atlantic
• Nashville: Fox Sports-Tennessee

Radio Information:

• Washington: Caps Radio 1500
  
• Nashville: Predators Radio

Capitals Vs. Predators: Pregame News And Notes

Here are some news and notes in preparation for Tuesday's game between the Washington Capitals and Nashville Predators:

• Tomas Vokoun will start for the Caps against his former team of seven seasons. He will be opposed by Pekka Rinne, who has never faced Washington, but has not lost in regulation since October 25. Rinne has been in goal for all eight of Nashville's wins this season.
• Based on morning skate, Mathieu Perreault is likely to be the healthy scratch for Washington.
• John Erskine and Roman Hamrlik will play for the Caps after the former sat out of Saturday's 3-2 shootout loss to the New Jersey Devils with soreness and the latter did not play in the third period after suffering an upper-body injury.
• With a win, the Caps will maintain their lead in the Southeast Division, but a regulation loss and a Florida Panthers win over the Dallas Stars will put them in a tie. Washington has one game in hand.

Capitals Vs. Predators: Washington Begins Three-Game Road Trip In Nashville

The Washington Capitals are just one of six teams remaining in the NHL that have yet to play three straight road games. After two home losses last week, there might not be a better time for the Caps to leave Washington behind for six days. Yet, the first game of the trip won't be easy as the Caps head to "Smashville" to take on the Nashville Predators Tuesday at Bridgestone Arena.

Tuesday's meeting will be the only one this season between the Caps and Predators, though the two teams met twice during the preseason with Nashville winning both games. The Caps will have to contend with Pekka Rinne, who hasn't lost in regulation since October 25, but to get to him, they will have to get past what head coach Bruce Boudreau called one of the best defensive pairings in the NHL in Ryan Suter and Shea Weber.

Joel Ward will make his first official return to the place he called home for four seasons. Ward led the Predators with 13 points in 12 playoff games last season before signing with Washington this summer. One player, however, who will not be heading to Nashville is Mike Green, who did not make the trip as he receives treatments for what The Washington Post's Katie Carrera learned is a strained right groin muscle. Green suffered the injury Friday during the first period of the Caps' 3-1 win over the New Jersey Devils. Green had just returned from missing almost three weeks with a right ankle injury.

Capitals Vs. Predators: Mike Green Doesn't Practice, Will Not Make Trip

Mike Green did not practice Monday and will not join the Caps on the beginning of their road trip, which begins Tuesday against the Predators.