Henrik Lundqvist was the sole reason the New York Rangers did not get blown out in a 2–1 loss to the Nashville Predators Wednesday night at Madison Square Garden.
Lundqvist, who finished with 34 saves, repeatedly saved the day as the Rangers continually turned the puck over in defensive lapses, causing head coach John Tortorella to put his head in his hands now and then.
After the game, Tortorella told MSG, “When you’re trying to crawl out of a hole and trying to gain some consistency in your game, your structure of your team concept and your discipline is so important.”
Neither of the goals Lundqvist allowed were his fault. With 2:15 left in the first period, Jordin Tootoo deflected a Kevin Klein shot over his glove hand. The Rangers goalie had no chance to prevent the goal with the crowd of bodies in front of him and the directional change of the puck.
The second Predators goal came in the second period on a power play. Rangers’ defenseman Michael Del Zotto was angry about a tripping non-call from earlier in the period and began a verbal assault on the referees.
Del Zotto’s jawing finally reached a breaking point when he got penalized for hooking. The referee was tired of Del Zotto’s verbal barrage and gave him an additional two minutes for unsportsmanlike conduct.
The Rangers were 24 seconds away from the double minor penalty kill when Michal Rozsival tried to clear the puck after a shot by Nashville’s Shea Weber.
The puck hit teammate Ryan Callahan and bounced over Rozsival’s stick to Colin Wilson, who immediately fired it home from short range.
The unlucky breaks are what have defined the Rangers season. Captain Chris Drury said, “It’s just such a fine line in this league and a small subtle mistake, whether it’s a penalty or whether it’s just not finishing a great chance, just a bounce of the puck can cost you a game and can get you spinning in the wrong direction.”
As for Del Zotto, Tortorella chewed him out when he returned to the bench.
However, Del Zotto started the third period, to which Tortorella said, “We’re trying to win a hockey game and he’s certainly going to go back out there. He’s learning a lot of different lessons along the way, but he’s certainly been one of our better players throughout the year.”
The offensive woes for the Rangers continued. Their only goal came off a five-on-three power play in the second period. Vinny Prospal tapped in a bouncing puck.
Lundqvist said, “I knew going into the game I can’t afford any mistakes. It’s really tough. We play as good as we can in our own end but it comes down to scoring.”
Predators goalie Dan Ellis was also busy, finishing with 37 saves.
The Blueshirts gave themselves ample opportunity with 38 shots on goal, but the absence of Marian Gaborik was felt. Gaborik was ruled out two hours before game time due to a right thigh laceration incurred during Tuesday’s practice.
“Obviously, he’s one of the best offensive players in the world,” Drury said.
“When you take him out of anybody’s lineup, it’s going to hurt. Certainly we’re going to miss him for however long he’s out for.” For now, Gaborik is listed as day-to-day.
The Rangers now sit in 10th place with 59 points. They have lost 11 out of the last 15 games and the playoffs are drifting further and further away.
Lundqvist, who finished with 34 saves, repeatedly saved the day as the Rangers continually turned the puck over in defensive lapses, causing head coach John Tortorella to put his head in his hands now and then.
After the game, Tortorella told MSG, “When you’re trying to crawl out of a hole and trying to gain some consistency in your game, your structure of your team concept and your discipline is so important.”
Neither of the goals Lundqvist allowed were his fault. With 2:15 left in the first period, Jordin Tootoo deflected a Kevin Klein shot over his glove hand. The Rangers goalie had no chance to prevent the goal with the crowd of bodies in front of him and the directional change of the puck.
The second Predators goal came in the second period on a power play. Rangers’ defenseman Michael Del Zotto was angry about a tripping non-call from earlier in the period and began a verbal assault on the referees.
Del Zotto’s jawing finally reached a breaking point when he got penalized for hooking. The referee was tired of Del Zotto’s verbal barrage and gave him an additional two minutes for unsportsmanlike conduct.
The Rangers were 24 seconds away from the double minor penalty kill when Michal Rozsival tried to clear the puck after a shot by Nashville’s Shea Weber.
The puck hit teammate Ryan Callahan and bounced over Rozsival’s stick to Colin Wilson, who immediately fired it home from short range.
The unlucky breaks are what have defined the Rangers season. Captain Chris Drury said, “It’s just such a fine line in this league and a small subtle mistake, whether it’s a penalty or whether it’s just not finishing a great chance, just a bounce of the puck can cost you a game and can get you spinning in the wrong direction.”
As for Del Zotto, Tortorella chewed him out when he returned to the bench.
However, Del Zotto started the third period, to which Tortorella said, “We’re trying to win a hockey game and he’s certainly going to go back out there. He’s learning a lot of different lessons along the way, but he’s certainly been one of our better players throughout the year.”
The offensive woes for the Rangers continued. Their only goal came off a five-on-three power play in the second period. Vinny Prospal tapped in a bouncing puck.
Lundqvist said, “I knew going into the game I can’t afford any mistakes. It’s really tough. We play as good as we can in our own end but it comes down to scoring.”
Predators goalie Dan Ellis was also busy, finishing with 37 saves.
The Blueshirts gave themselves ample opportunity with 38 shots on goal, but the absence of Marian Gaborik was felt. Gaborik was ruled out two hours before game time due to a right thigh laceration incurred during Tuesday’s practice.
“Obviously, he’s one of the best offensive players in the world,” Drury said.
“When you take him out of anybody’s lineup, it’s going to hurt. Certainly we’re going to miss him for however long he’s out for.” For now, Gaborik is listed as day-to-day.
The Rangers now sit in 10th place with 59 points. They have lost 11 out of the last 15 games and the playoffs are drifting further and further away.
