The Rangers failed to win back-to-back games falling 2-1 to the Predators on Saturday. Despite dominating in shots, 35-18, New York only generated seven high-danger opportunities 5x5 in tallying the one score. Nashville took advantage of the two true opportunities they received and the 22 shots they blocked to eke out a 2-1 win. The Blueshirts are back in action tonight at MSG against the Coyotes.
Game recap:
Lines: Kreider - Zib - Vesey Panarin - Trocheck - Gauthier Laf - Chytil - Kakko Blais - Goodrow - Reaves
Miller-Trouba Lindgren-Fox Hajek-Schneider
Halak Shesterkin
1) Lineup - with Vitali Kravtsov scratched - initially reported as a stomach bug, then revealed later by Kravtsiov to be an infected tooth - Ryan Reaves dressed in his place. I understand to an extent why Reaves dressed, as Nashville is a physical team who is more than willing to drop the gloves, as we saw last night, but he provides nothing offensively. Reaves did fight Tanner Jeannot late after Ryan Lindgren got waxed by Jeremy Lauzon and the chippiness and physical play had rateched up several notches.
With Reaves in the lineup, Julien Gauthier moved from the fourth to second line. I don't think Gauthier had a bad game, but unsure he was that noticeable. With Reaves dressing and not Ryan Carpenter, Barclay Goodrow was forced to center the fourth line, preventing him from possibly being a second line option.
The lack of offense continues to be a theme. Yesterday, despite notching 35 shots and possessing the puck in the offensive zone, not enough of those shots were from close range and the Rangers failed to create enough traffic around the net. Nashville did a good job of forcing and keeping New York outside. This was the case both 5x5 and on the power play.
Filip Chytil continued his hot play, scoring the team's only goal. Chytil created space - enabling him to lift the shot and score - by sliding into open space to make the feed from Adam Fox a bit easier,. Great play by Fox, better read and play by Chytil, who has four points in his last four games.
New York had a major chance late with a four-minute power play after Sammy Blais was cut by a high stick. But the team was unable to create any sustained pressure or generate sufficient traffic in front of Juuse Saros. Nashville pressured New York up top on the penalty kill and the Rangers kept trying the cross-ice pass, which repeatedly didn't connect. I was hoping they would slide the slot man higher to force the Predators' hand while also providing a better angle and spacing for passes.
2) Defense - K'Andre Miller and Jacob Trouba were on ice for the two goals against. On the first, Miller pinched deep in the offensive zone and ended up behind the Nashville net. When possession changed hands, the Rangers were out-manned. Alexis Lafrenière hustled back to fill Miller's spot, but Juuso Pà¤rssinen used his size and speed to get around him to score in his first career NHL game - shocker, a rookie scoring against New York in his first game - and give the Predators a 1-0 lead. Jaroslav Halak was not squared to the shooter and left too much room to the wide side, which is where he was beaten.
On the second, Vincent Trocheck's horrific clearing attempt was stopped by Roman Josi at the point. Josi came down the boards and when Trouba went to pick him as Trocheck was out of position, Mark Jankowski slid to the open spot wide post for the easy goal. Miller maybe should have dropped down low, even though he was engaged up high, but that's a touch read. This one is on Trocheck, who did not have.a great game, for his weak play in his own zone.
Vince Mercogliano wrote today that the Miller-Trouba duo has now been outscored 6-16 this season at 5v5, with the goals against ranking as the highest total among all NHL defensive pairs, according to moneypuck.com
3) Halak was not overly tested. He made a few key saves and only allowed two goals. Maybe the first could have been stopped but he had no shot on the second. With the loss, Halak fell to 0-4-1 on the season.