SLUMPING RANGERS VISIT NASHVILLE
New York Rangers (25-21-5) vs Nashville Predators (30-12-7)
TONIGHT 8:00 PM TV: MSG RADIO: ESPN NY 98.7 FM
Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, TN
After a horrible 4-0 loss to Toronto on Thursday and one win in their last five games including four on the road the Rangers head to Nashville looking to salvage their playoff hopes.
The Rangers will be without Pavel Buchnevich who suffered a concussion in Thursday’s loss after taking an elbow to the jaw during the second period against the Maple Leafs. No call up was made on Friday to replace Buchnevich so we will see winger Paul Carey inserted back into the lineup after being a healthy scratch in favor of rugged winger Cody McLeod on Thursday. McLeod will be facing the Predators for the first time since being claimed off of waivers by the Rangers from Nashville during the All Star Break.
Jimmy Vesey is slated to move up in the lineup to replace the injured Buchnevich as per coach Alain Vigneault who feels it’s Vesey’s time to step up and show what he is capable of. The starting goaltender has yet to be announced for tonight’s game. Henrik Lundqvist who was yanked in favor of backup Ondrej Pavelec early in the second period of Thursday’s loss after giving up 4 goals on 14 shots has been pulled in his last two starts and has stated that he as well needs to step up his game.
The Rangers currently sit in 7th place in the Metro but are tied with the Islanders in points with 55 and are 1 point out of a wild card spot trailing both Carolina and Philadelphia by 1 point.
This is the second and final meeting of the season between the Rangers and Predators. In the first contest the Rangers defeated Nashville 4-2 at Madison Square Garden. Henrik Lundqvist picked up the win with 25 saves while Chris Kreider, Kevin Hayes, Jesper Fast and Jimmy Vesey provided the goals for New York.
Nashville currently sits in second place in the Central with 67 points and the Predators have won three of their last five games, most recently a 5-0 drubbing of the Los Angeles Kings on Thursday Night. PK Subban leads the Preds in Points (38) and Assists (26) while Craig Smith leads the way in goals with 16. Pekka Rinne leads the Nashville goaltenders with a record of 25-8-3 with a 2.29 GAA and a .928 save percentage.
GAME DAY TEAM LEADERS
Rangers
POINTS: Mats Zuccarello 37
GOALS: Michael Grabner 21
ASSISTS: Mats Zuccarello 29
Predators
POINTS: P.K. Subban 38
GOALS: Craig Smith 16
ASSISTS: P.K. Subban 26
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