- On the third, "they came at us real hard and we didn't have a response. Unfortunately tonight's game, the first penalty we took was unnecessary penalty. They made us pay for it. They got some momentum but in the second we battled hard and had some decent looks but we don't have enough guys right now bringing it. Guys are battling hard but we don't have enough guys bringing their A game to the table and we are going to need to figure it out real quickly here."
- How do you address that issue, "just like I said, we talk to our team and we address it with them and hopefully we will all figure it out."
- On Henrik Lundqvist, "tonight was nothing about Henrik. They were teeing it up from the ladies tee. At 5-1 I thought it was time to give him a break. He gave us a chance. As a team we need to respond better."
- "I thought our psyche was real good coming into the game. I know our preparation was there. They were throwing a lot of pucks at the not but not a lot of Grade A opportunities. That penalty was totally unnecessary and gave them momentum, we fought back in the third but we didn't have an answer for their push."
- On the defensive structure, "it's not as good as it can be. No doubt there. Thanks guys."
11:17PM: Lundqvist spoke on MSG after the game and said:
- On the goal that made it 3-1, "Maybe it was just his arm that was up high that threw me off. They reviewed it and I am confident they made the right call."
- Consistency and defensive issues, "we did a lot of good things, just for a few minutes in the third we get hurt big time. It's been the case in too many games and it's extremely disappointing and frustrating and personally you try to work to get a good game and be there and then in a few minutes it's all destroyed. It's challenging bu tall you can do is try and work even harder and try to be positive about the good things and hopefully it will turn around."
- On the PK, "you have to expect teams to watch video and see how we are giving up goals and they are finding our right side a lot and it's something that we have to address and talk about. We scout other teams and and how they give up goals and you try to use that. You have to expect teams to do that to us."
- On his game, "the question is where is that. I felt pretty good for two and a half periods and then for a couple of minutes in the third it just snowballed again. It's tough on your confidence obviously but you need to work through it. Just a couple of quick plays and good looks. Their PP made us pay tonight. You try and look at the good things to stay confident and believe in what we do. For two periods we felt confident as a team and had chances. I don't know what else to say right now."
Prior to the start of the third, John Giannone spoke with Rangers assistant Ulf Samuelsson who told him that the Rangers were doing "quite a few things" that the coaches were happy about.
Samuelsson told Giannone that the had their work ethic going and were getting time in the offensive zone against one of the best defensive teams in the NHL. He added that he wanted to see more scoring chances for the Rangers and for them to play quicker before saying "I feel we will come out with a strong push in the first five." (MSG)
In the first five minutes of the third the Rangers had no shots on goal and at 5:18 the Predators scored a goal that would be overturned.
At 7:34 Craig Smith scored the first of three goals for the Predators in a span of 3:39 to go up 5-1.
Ryan McDonagh said after the game that the Rangers gave the Preds some "good lucks" and paid for it. He said that the Rangers were careless in their own end and need to play with the same urgency they had in the third when they were down 5-1. (MSG)
Dan Girardi said that when something happens on the ice the players need to be there for each other and the Rangers need to make sure that they have guys defending in the middle of the ice. (MSG)
Henrik Lundqvist said, "It's been the case in too many games and it's extremely disappointing and frustrating and personally you try to work to get a good game and be there and then in a few minutes it's all destroyed. It's challenging but all you can do is try and work even harder and try to be positive about the good things and hopefully it will turn around." (MSG)
Girardi played 7:31 in the first, 6:30 in the second and 4:49 in the third.
When he was on the ice at 5 on 5, the Rangers had 50% of the shot attempts (13 to 13) but only 35.71% of the shots on goal (5 for, 9 against). (Natural Stat Trick)
In the second intermission, Girardi told John Giannone that he "surprisingly" felt pretty good after only having one practice to get ready. He said that it was good for him to get a couple of bumps in and make some passes. (MSG)
After the game, Girardi said that he felt good and tried to keep things simple. He said that he felt "a little tired" in the third period but said that is normal after being out for a while. (MSG)
Nash had 2 shots in the first, 4 in the second and 3 in the third while playing 5:30 in the first, 6:06 in the second and 7:06 in the third.
He saw 1:07 on the PP and 1:08 on the PK.
9 shots on goal is Nash's second highest of the season, he had 10 shots on goal against Florida on November 21 and scored a hat trick.
At even strength, Nash was on the ice for 23 shot attempts for, 18 against, 12 shots on goal for, 10 against and 1 goal for and 1 goal against. (Natural Stat Trick)
Joe Micheletti said that Nash had a good game and that Shea Weber and Roman Josi seemed to key more on Mats Zuccarello and Derick Brassard which left Nash with more space. (MSG)
Dave Maloney said that Nash played to his strengths and was deserving of his late goal because of his hard work. (MSG)
Friedman wonders what picks the Rangers could get if they decide to move players like Dominic Moore or Keith Yandle and if they have a desire to make a big move, they could consider testing the market for Rick Nash. (Sportsnet)
He adds that if the Rangers do happen to miss the playoffs this season, they retain their 2016 first round pick and their 2017 first round pick goes to Arizona as part of the Keith Yandle trade.
Friedman also says that if the Rangers do decide to make some moves "would anybody be surprised if they took a run at Steven Stamkos, should he hit free agency?." (Sportsnet)
On Stamkos, Bob McKenzie wrote a few weeks ago that "the Blueshirts have some financial shackles, but for the right player at the right price, moves could be made." (TSN)
Adam Rotter: If I had to guess at the Rangers strategy, in regards to player moves the rest of the season, I would think that they would mostly stay put, maybe add a top-nine winger and give this group of guys another chance to make a run in the playoffs. If the Rangers do miss the playoffs or go out early, I would expect some moves to be made but guys like Yandle and Moore likely aren't going to be back next season anyway.
As for Stamkos, his situation is something that I have been monitoring, thinking about and spending time on salary cap websites trying to make work as advanced preparation for his potential free agency. If Stamkos gets to free agency I expect the Rangers will be big time players for him. He is an elite scorer, one of the best players in the league and the Rangers are never shy about going after guys.
How the Rangers go after Stamkos and what moves they make to put themselves in a position to do so remain to be seen. There are so many variables and it's too early in the process to get worked up about who could be moved to free up space, who replaces that player and what number Stamkos would get for a cap hit. There won't be any shortage of teams looking at Stamkos, IF he becomes a free agent, but the Rangers will likely make a strong push for him.
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