Key Takeaways from Rangers’ Disheartening Loss to Predators, Plus a Star-Studded Surprise
By Marvin Azrak
Discover the key takeaways from the New York Rangers’ tough 4-1 loss to the Nashville Predators, and experience an unexpected celebrity encounter during the game!
The New York Rangers had a forgettable night at Madison Square Garden, and the Nashville Predators took full advantage. After their 4-1 win, the Preds’ social media team decided to have some fun, quipping, “Found the quit in NY,” poking fun at the Rangers’ “No Quit in NY” slogan.
The Rangers’ usual spark seemed missing in action in this game. The energy and effort we’d seen in the first three games went on an unexpected vacation. They’ll gain a pass if they are already in West Coast mode, where the team will be for the next two weeks.
That said, the trusty 1-3-1 neutral-zone trap, the brainchild of head coach Peter Laviolette, didn’t show up for the party. And those costly turnovers that have haunted the Blueshirts like ghosts in a haunted house? Yep, 11 of them returned. As one of the 18,006 in attendance, it was a tough scene aside from a run-in with two New York celebrities.
Laviolette summed it up pretty well, saying, “I thought our speed was off. I thought that our competition was off.”
An Icy Wake-Up Call for the Rangers:
The first period started with little enthusiasm. Both teams struggled in the offensive zone. New York’s penalty kill had to step up, and they did the job well. Yet Nashville scored when Cole Smith pounced on the rebound after a point shot by Tyson Barrie. The play began off a Filip Chytil turnover, allowing the Predators to go the other way.
Shortly after, the Rangers had a power play but couldn’t convert. As the man advantage wore down, a K’Andre Miller turnover led to a Smith breakaway and short-handed tally. Miller tried to find Erik Gustafsson. Yet the pass was picked, allowing Smith to redeem his penalty with a goal.
Throughout the frame, the Blueshirts made some sloppy passes, had defensive issues, and limited time in the offensive zone. They were overwhelmed by Nashville’s physicality. Laviolette was right: “We gave up eight odd-man rushes and two breakaways. You have to button that up.”