What Predators, Andrew Brunette said after collapse in NHL playoffs Game 4 OT loss vs Canucks

The Nashville Predators were mere seconds from tying up their NHL playoff series with the Vancouver Canucks, holding a 3-1 lead in the third period and in control of Game 4 on Sunday.

Then two goals by Brock Boeser — both scored with the Canucks' goalie pulled — tied the game to force overtime.

Just 1 minute, 2 seconds into overtime, Elias Lindholm scored, completing the 4-3 win and sealing the most crushing playoff defeat for Nashville in recent memory. The Canucks hold a 3-1 series lead, and the Predators head to Vancouver facing elimination in Game 5 on Tuesday (9 p.m. CT, TBS).

"We just broke down, lost our composure there near the end," coach Andrew Brunette said after the game. "The composure late in games and just attention to detail, it needs to be sharper."

Brunette was hesitant to put the collapse on any one moment. He said he liked the way the team played in the game and felt like it was dominating in certain areas.

CRUSHING LOSS: Three takeaways from Predators' stunning OT loss in NHL playoffs Game 4 vs Canucks

But it was in the final crucial moments that the Predators lost focus, allowing the Canucks to tie the game.

"On the first (goal) and the second (goal), we kind of got beat up ice. Then (on the tying goal) we kind of flubbed it, fell down, and got exposed," Brunette said.

"We gave up a faceoff goal and two 6-on-5 goals in one game. I don't know if I've been in too many games where you lose doing that."

Predators players react to devastating Game 4 loss

"You've got to be able to put that game away," forward Gus Nyquist said afterward.

Nyquist, who scored to give the Predators a 2-1 lead in the second period, was on the ice for the game-tying goal by Boeser, who had a hat trick. Nyquist's pressure on Quinn Hughes at the point almost created a turnover, but Hughes avoided his check and Hughes sent the puck toward the net, where Boeser scored.

"For the most part in the series, especially here at home, there's lots to like in our game. We've just got to flush it and keep going," Nyquist said.

Roman Josi, who left the game in the first period with a bloodied right ear after getting hit by a puck but returned early in the second, said the Predators' inability to add to the lead late was a big reason for the loss.

"We couldn't get that fourth goal," Josi said. "Crazy ending, with them scoring twice in three minutes, it made a difference."

As captain of the team, Josi said the group was honest with themselves after the loss, with everyone acknowledging the frustration, but knowing they played well enough to win.

"We felt like we played a really good game for 55 minutes, we just didn't get the win," he said. "That's just what happens sometimes."

Josi added that the biggest focus now should be on Tuesday's Game 5, where a win would force the series back to Nashville on Friday.

"Once we get on our plane tomorrow for Vancouver, we've got to forget about this one," he said.

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This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: What Predators said after losing late lead, NHL playoff Game 4 in OT