Rangers vs. Predators: 3 things to watch for in battle of disappointing teams
Let’s begin with a quiz. Name two more disappointing teams in the NHL this season than the New York Rangers and Nashville Predators.
Go ahead. We’ll wait.
Yup. Didn’t think you’d come up with another option that’s in the same ballpark as these two stunningly poor teams who face off Tuesday night at Bridgestone Arena.
There are many teams with a worse record than the Rangers (15-14-1). But they are in a freefall, 3-10-0 in their past 13 games, and could be on the verge of getting another coach fired. Their lack of compete is galling, defensive miscues are constant and failure to sustain offensive pressure is a game-to-game issue.
Remember, the Rangers were two wins from reaching the Stanley Cup Final last season, and established franchise records for wins (55) and points (114). They were expected to compete for the Stanley Cup this season. Yet 30 games in, the Rangers aren’t even in a playoff spot.
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The Predators (8-17-6) are much worse off, tied with the Chicago Blackhawks for fewest points (22) and worst points percentage (.355) in the NHL. This after reaching the Stanley Cup Playoffs in nine of the previous 10 seasons, and signing big-name free agents Steven Stamkos, Jonathan Marchessault and Brady Skjei to make a run at the Cup this season.
It got so bad, so fast in Nashville that general manager Barry Trotz publicly threatened to trade some of the Predators’ top players before the season was two months old.
The Predators have won just once in their past nine games (1-5-3) and are 5-12-6 since a three-game winning streak in late October.
Somehow, some way, one of these teams will grab a much-needed two points Tuesday in the battle of two massive disappointments.
Related: ‘It’s been the same story’: Rangers struggles with sustaining offensive pressure
3 things to watch for when Rangers visit Predators
1, Turning to Igor
Igor Shesterkin was pulled in his most recent start, the 5-1 home loss to the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday. He allowed five goals on 21 shots in a bit more than 25 minutes of work, ballooning his goal-against average to 3.03 on the season. It’s the fifth time in 22 starts he’s allowed five or more goals, eighth time it was at least four goals. It was the second time he’s been pulled in favor of Jonathan Quick, who followed that up by making the start Sunday in St. Louis, a 3-2 loss to the Blues.
Historically, Shesterkin bounces back in a big way after a rough start. Odds favor that Tuesday, when he faces the lowest-scoring team in the League. Despite all of their firepower, the Predators average just 2.26 goals per game and are have a miserable minus-28 goal differential.
Keep an eye on Marchessault, though. He’s scored four goals in three career games against Shesterkin. And Ryan O’Reilly has five goals in five games against the Rangers No. 1 goalie.
2. Top 2 in this category
The Rangers and Predators have something else in common, other than struggling so mightily and being the biggest disappointments in the League. They rank 1-2 on the penalty kill in the NHL.
The Predators are No. 1 in the League killing off penalties at an 87.5 percent rate. They’ve allowed only 12 power-play goals in 96 times short-handed. At home, they’ve allowed five power-play goals in 40 times short-handed (also, 87.5 percent).
The Rangers are right behind them with an 86.8 percent success rate. Like the Predators, the Rangers have allowed only 12 power-play goals this season (in 91 tries). Coincidentally, they’ve allowed 5 power power-play goals in, you guessed it, 40 times short-handed on the road.
3. How low can they go?
It’s tough sledding for the Rangers’ BFFs, Mika Zibanejad and Chris Kreider. No word yet on line combos for Tuesday, but in the previous game, Zibanejad centered Brett Berard and Jimmy Vesey on the third line and had only 13:04 TOI. Kreider was relegated to fourth-line duty with Sam Carrick and Adam Edstrom, where he was minus-2 playing 15:17.
It appeared Kreider was more energized than his longtime running mate. No. 20 was credited with a team-high five hits and played hard with his new linemates. On the flip side, not even the energetic Berard could lift Zibanejad out of his funk.
Zibanejad has two goals in his past 13 games, and just six this season. He’s a team-worst minus-15. Kreider is without a point in five straight games, and has two goals in 14 games.
New York Rangers projected lineup
Kreider – Trocheck – Berard
Cuylle – Chytil – Lafreniere
Kakko – Zibanejad – Smith
Edstrom – Carrick – Vesey
Jones – Fox
Lindgren – Schneider
Vaakanainen – Ruhwedel
Shesterkin
Quick
Rangers vs. Predators: When, where, what time, how to watch
Who: New York Rangers vs. Nashville Predators
When: Tuesday, Dec. 17 at 8 p.m. ET
Where: Bridgestone Arena
How to watch: MSG
Click here for New York Rangers complete 2024-25 schedule and game results
More About:New York Rangers News
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