Cole Smith scored twice and the power play got going as the Predators dominated the Rangers, but Cody Glass left the game early with a lower body injury and did not return.
The Nashville Predators needed a bounce back performance after a tough 6-1 loss at home Tuesday night against the Edmonton Oilers, but facing a talented New York Rangers team at Madison Square Garden was up next on the schedule.
Head coach Andrew Brunette announced that Phil Tomasino would be a healthy scratch and Michael McCarron would slot into the lineup.
Tonight's game was also a showdown of two of the best goaltenders in the league as Juuse Saros and Igor Shesterkin protected their respective nets.
The first period began with back and forth action. Nashville got a chance on the power play at 6:16 as Adam Fox headed to the penalty box for a hooking call. Initially, the Predators power play struggled to get set up in the zone, but they did create a few chances before the two minutes expired. After taking a shift on that power play, Cody Glass left the ice and headed down the tunnel and did not return.
At 11:24, Cole Smith got Nashville on the board first by cleaning up a loose puck in the blue paint by Shesterkin. Smith headed to the penalty box a few minutes later after being whistled for interference. The Rangers power play wasn't able to capitalize on the man advantage, and an errant pass back to the blue line was intercepted by the escaping Smith who took it down the ice and scored on Shesterkin for a second time. The teams headed to the locker room with Nashville up 2-0.
An early hooking call in the second period on Adam Fox gave the Predators another try on the power play. Ryan O'Reilly made quick work of the opportunity, scoring on a tic, tac, toe play from Forsberg and Evangelista.
The Rangers upped their offensive pressure after Nashville took the 3-0 lead, but the Predators were able to match their pace and intensity. Juuso Pärssinen had a chance on a breakaway, but Shesterkin handled the attempt.
At 13:16 Artemi Planarian headed to the box for a high stick on Kiefer Sherwood. Filip Forsberg finally scored his first goal of the season on a slap shot past Shesterkin giving Nashville the 4-0 lead. That goal ended the night for Shesterkin, and Jonathan Quick came in to finish the game for the Rangers.
Oct 19, 2023; New York, New York, USA; New York Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin (31) makes a save against Nashville Predators left wing Filip Forsberg (9) during the second period at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY SportsThe Predators' momentum was interrupted by unfortunate penalties at the end of the second period. Juuso Pärssinen headed to the box at 18:19 for a trip and on the ensuing penalty kill, Ryan O'Reilly was whistled for a trip as he tried to clear the puck. The Rangers took advantage of the five on three opportunity as Adam Fox scored on a wide angle attempt that bounced off Ryan McDonagh at 19:18.
The period ended with Nashville up 4-1 but the Rangers carrying over just under a minute of power play time.
Nashville was able to kill off the remaining penalty at the start of the third, but the Rangers continued to increase their pressure on Juuse Saros when they had the puck in their offensive zone. The Predators provided defensive support and transitioned quickly through the neutral zone when they got possession to keep the game in hand.
It looked like Vincent Trocheck cut the game to two goals at 12:00 on a wild bounce, but the Predators challenged the goal, and it was ruled offside. Nashville able to withstand the late game push from New York, and the Predators skated out of Madison Square Garden with a 4-1 win.