Filip Forsberg, Fedor Svechkov and Nick Blankenburg scored for the Predators (6-12-4), who have lost eight of their past nine (1-6-2). Juuse Saros allowed five goals on 16 shots before being replaced early in the second period by Justus Annunen, who stopped seven of 10 shots in relief.
“It’s a very urgent situation we’re in,” Forsberg said. “I thought we played really good two nights ago against [the Colorado Avalanche], but then we show up like we did in the first. They could’ve probably even scored a couple more even though it was 4-2.”
Greer gave the Panthers a 1-0 lead 11 seconds into the game on a one-timer off a pass from behind the net by Verhaeghe.
“A.J. has been a nice complement there because I think you’ve seen Sam Bennett and Carter Verhaeghe, they look faster,” Maurice said. “Another guy with great speed on that line. They get through the neutral zone really, really quick. They’re all strong, wiry men and hard on pucks. Happy that they got a reward.”
Rodrigues extended it to 2-0 at 5:42 of the first period on a rebound.
Forsberg cut it to 2-1 at 6:52 on a redirection of a backhand pass from the corner by Luke Evangelista, and Svechkov tied it 2-2 at 10:32 on a rebound.
“It’s just a horrible game,” Nashville captain Roman Josi said. “Right from the first period, we just played poorly. I don’t know, it’s hard to explain. We have a good effort against Colorado and we come back with that. I wish I knew why, but it’s not acceptable. We can’t play like that and think we can win.”
Jesper Boqvist put Florida back ahead 3-2 at 11:31 with a wrist shot on a partial breakaway off a pass from Forsling.