O’Reilly Criticizes Himself After Predators’ Latest Defeat
Nashville Predators veteran Ryan O’Reilly took full responsibility following his team’s 3-1 loss to the Philadelphia Flyers on Thursday. Despite scoring Nashville’s only goal, O’Reilly expressed dissatisfaction with his own performance.
“I’m a centre, turn the puck over everywhere, can’t make a six-foot pass to save my life,” O’Reilly told reporters. “We’re not going to have much success if I’m playing pathetic like that. I’ve had one good year in my career. I don’t have an answer, that’s for sure.”
At 34, O’Reilly’s self-criticism may seem severe given his career achievements: 309 goals, 834 points in 1,168 games, and a Stanley Cup win in 2019 with St. Louis. This season, he has six goals and 10 points over 16 games.
O’Reilly was part of the Predators squad that underperformed last year, finishing third-last in the Western Conference despite off-season reinforcements. He acknowledged the urgent need for leadership from himself and other veterans to reverse the team’s fortunes.
“The last few games, I’ve been making mistakes left and right,” he said. “You can’t expect to win like that. There’s frustration everywhere. Guys are working, a lot of guys are working. It falls on leadership and we have to be the ones to get over it.”
Nashville also experienced a controversial moment in their recent overtime loss to the Minnesota Wild, where the winning goal was scored after the net was dislodged.
Author’s Summary
Ryan O’Reilly openly accepts blame for Nashville Predators’ struggles, urging leadership from veterans to overcome recent poor performances and frustrations.