O’Reilly Criticizes Himself After Predators’ Defeat
Nashville Predators veteran Ryan O’Reilly placed the blame squarely on himself following the team’s 3-1 loss to the Philadelphia Flyers on Thursday. Despite scoring Nashville’s only goal, the forward expressed clear dissatisfaction with his performance as the Predators fell to a 5-7-4 record.
“I’m turning the puck over everywhere. I 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.”
The 34-year-old center, who has played 1,168 games and recorded 309 goals with 834 points in his career, admitted he didn’t have an explanation for his poor form. O’Reilly, a Stanley Cup winner in 2019, currently has six goals and ten points in sixteen games this season.
Looking back, O’Reilly acknowledged that last season’s campaign fell far below expectations when the Predators finished near the bottom of the Western Conference despite off-season reinforcements. He emphasized the need for accountability among veteran players to regain momentum this year.
“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 hard, but it falls on leadership—we’re the ones who have to get over it.”
The Predators also faced a controversial call earlier in the week during their overtime loss to the Minnesota Wild, when the opposing team scored after the net came off its moorings.
Author’s Summary
Ryan O’Reilly delivered a candid self-assessment after another Predators defeat, vowing to improve and lead by example as frustration builds within the team.