This isn’t exactly the start the Nashville Predators were looking for.

Seven games into the 2009-2010 NHL season, the Preds find themselves tied for 25th place with 7 points. To make matters worse, they’ve lost their last 5 games; two of which they were outscored by 5 goals. To add to the frustration of a rocky start, the team now has captain Jason Arnott on the IR for up to 2 weeks with an arm injury he sustained during Saturday nights 3-2 loss to the Washington Capitals.

So what exactly is the problem with the Predators? In my eyes, it boils to 2 problems; the team lacks consistency in the offense and looks dreadful on the power play.

The Predators have scored just 10 goals in their first 7 games, which is the least amount of goals scored by any team this season. Four of their losses were by just 1 goal, and two of the losses were shut outs. Without consistent scoring, it’ll be tough to move up in the standings no matter how good the defense and goaltending may be.

And then there’s the power play. Nashville has had 12 power play opportunities this season, out of which they’ve come away with 1 goal (good for 30th, dead last, in the NHL power play standings). Power plays are opportunities to utilize an extra player and put goals on the board, but so far I feel like Nashville has a hard time even keeping the puck out of their zone even with the man-advantage. What’s the point of a team being on the power play if they can only convert on 4.2% of the PP opportunities?

Here is to hoping that the recent roster shake up will bring renewed team chemistry and put some wins on the board for the team. With 3 games on the slate for this week, the Preds have an excellent opportunity to make a jump in the standings and improve some of their offensive numbers. Fret not, Predators fans, we’re only 7 games in. It’s a marathon, not a sprint, and we have a long season ahead of us!