New York Rangers Comeback to Knock Off Predators in Matinee
By Conor Power
It was a poor start for the Rangers as they could not keep track of Ryan O’Reilly, who was left alone. When the puck bounced to him with a clear look at Igor Shesterkin, the former Vezina winner could not bale the Blueshirts out, and it allowed the home team to take an early 1-0 lead. In a matinee, this could have been a backbreaker if New York couldn’t find a way to stabilize the ship quickly.
On the powerplay, Roman Josi would take the puck at the point and play a pass to O’Reilly. O’Reilly would give it to Gustav Nyquist, who had a shot blocked. Josi would pick up the loose puck and fire it on, cleanly beating Igor Shesterkin. It was now 2-0 Nashville, and the Rangers had it all to do if they were going to climb back to the top of the NHL standings. It was not a great first period.
In the second, the Rangers cut the lead in half. Vincent Trocheck got to a loose puck behind the net and caught Kevin Lankinen looking around to find the puck. Trocheck then hit the streaking defenseman Jacob Trouba out in front, who hammered it home to make it a 2-1 game, giving the Rangers life and leading from the front in this Rangers fight back.
On the Rangers powerplay, it would be the Predators that get the goal. Colton Sissons roared in alone on Igor Shesterkin off a feed from Yakov Trenin, and the Rangers’ star netminder was beaten again as the Preds made it 3-1. It was a difficult defensive performance early on the powerplay as the Rangers gave up multiple shorthanded chances.
New York would get it back as the powerplay expired. A loose puck bouncing around in the slot off a point shot leaves the puck in the air for the Rangers to bash it home out in front. Who else but Chris Kreider would knock the puck home to make it a 3-2 game and make it a one-goal game once again? A difficult powerplay but a net neutral on the score of the game.
Vincent Trocheck would tie the game up quickly after on the powerplay. After the blueshirts win the faceoff, the Rangers would play it around the horn to Mika Zibanejad. Mika hit the stick of Trocheck, who perfectly angled it into the top corner past Kevin Lankinen to tie the game up at three and give the Blueshirts a level playing field for the second half of the game.
In the third period, the Rangers would take their first lead of the night. Trocheck won the faceoff back to Adam Fox. Fox played the puck across to Ryan Lindgren, who fired at the net, and Trocheck managed to deflect it past the Nashville netminder, giving the Blueshirts their first lead of the game. With around 15 minutes left, the Blueshirts were now in control of the game.
They were able to hold out with Igor under siege and defeat the Nashville Predators. Trailing for the majority of the game, the Rangers continue their winning habit and move back to the top of the National Hockey League standings. With the Rangers winning again, they get to come home and prepare for the San Jose Sharks tomorrow.