New York Rangers fight hard but fall to Predators 2-1
The New York Rangers wanted to get on a bit of a roll after scoring 8 in Detroit in their last game. Unfortunately, the team fell just short in Nashville to close out the Dad’s Trip.
Maybe they should’ve saved a couple of goals for this contest as Juuse Saros stumped the Blueshirts shooters with 34 saves to eke out a win for the home team.
It certainly wasn’t for a lack of trying as the Rangers battled to the bitter end, including sticking up for their teammates with their fists.
We just have to get out of the hole,” Vincent Trocheck said.
Recap: Predators 2 vs Rangers 1
1st Period
The Blueshirts played a solid road first period outshooting the Predators by an 11-4 margin.
Of course, as we’ve seen in these types of game where the Rangers dominate in shots it takes one mistake and they’re down. That’s what happened 4:58 into the game when K’Andre Miller got caught up ice.
Alexis Lafrenière tried to play defense but couldn’t handle a charging Juuso Parssinen, who shot it over Jaroslav Halak for the 1-0 lead.
2nd Period
As was the case in the first period, the Blueshirts dominated the middle frame with a 16-7 shot margin.
And once again, another mistake went into the back of their net as a Vincent Trocheck turnover was eventually converted by Mark Jankowski at the 8:37 mark.
The Rangers did respond a little over three minutes later with Filip Chytil blasting a one-timer from the slot for the 100th point of his NHL career. Adam Fox set up the play from behind the net and Kaapo Kakko picked up the secondary assist.
The game got chippy with Ryan Lindgren going at it with Ryan Johansen around the net followed by the two slashing each other up ice.
Predators defenseman Jeremy Lauzon took exception and dropped the gloves with Lindgren, who was overmatched and left with a cut around his left eye.
3rd Period
In the final 20 minutes of regulation, the physical play was cranked up making space on the ice more expensive than Manhattan rent.
Ryan Reaves, who took note of what was done to Lindgren, crushed a Predators player behind the net. Tanner Jeannot immediately stepped up and was eventually put down by a big right hand from Reaves.
Away from the play, Sammy Blais took a hight stick from Lauzon drawing a double minor.
Despite the Blueshirts best efforts, including pulling the goalie late on the second power play, they could not get one by Juuse Saros. The Rangers power play finished 0-5 on the night.
“That was the difference,” Gerard Gallant explained. “They had some looks but not the premiere looks they should’ve been.”
New York battled until the end but Saros made another huge save in the dying seconds to preserve the victory.
We controlled the play and we just need to keep doing what we’re doing,” Barclay Goodrow said. “It can get frustrating but we can’t get down. It’s all about moving on and getting the two points tomorrow night.”
Notable Rangers
- Jaroslav Halak is still winless stopping 16 of 18
- Filip Chytil goal gives his a 3-game point streak (2G-2A)
- Adam Fox has a 5-game point streak (2G-6A)
Next Game (Sunday, Nov. 13): Arizona Coyotes 7:00 PM ET
* All times and events are subject to change
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