Despite having the better of play against one of the NHL’s best, the Rangers dropped a tough one to the Predators 3-2 in Music City. Mike Ribeiro’s goal with 7:14 left in regulation proved to be the difference ending the Rangers’ three-game win streak. His 700th NHL point was a bomb that got past Cam Talbot from Seth Jones and Filip Forsberg.

Talbot was making his second straight start with Henrik Lundqvist out with a vascular injury. Even though he allowed three goals on 23 shots, it was more about the team having a couple of mental lapses. Talbot made some strong saves in an uneven first that saw the defense leave Preds wide open. Along with former Predator Kevin Klein, who made a great save and then was honored by Nashville, Talbot was solid.

Despite outshooting the Preds 32-23, the Rangers made just enough mistakes to lose. They also lost rookie Jesper Fast to a lower body injury. He took 12 shifts (6:04 ice-time) before exiting early in the second period. The Predators also were down a skater with Colin Wilson unable to return after the first due to a big Dan Girardi hit. Ultimately, they scored two goals at the end of the second and found one late after Ryan McDonagh tied it to earn points 73 and 74. It was their 10th win in 11 on home ice.

A year ago, Talbot was in this exact setting and shutout Nashville in front of his Dad. For a while, it looked like it would be a repeat. Rick Nash scored his league-leading 33rd on the power play midway through contest from Derick Brassard and Kevin Hayes. With Shea Weber off for interference, Nash scored a power forward’s goal getting to a tough rebound of a low Brassard shot and backhanding it past Pekka Rinne at 11:49 of the second.

For most of the period, the Rangers controlled play. They had limited the Preds’ chances and were playing a smart road game. But that all changed with two plays Nashville made. Roman Josi tied it up with 1:21 remaining. Off a faceoff win, he got to a loose puck and banged one home from Gabriel Bourque and Calle Jarnkrok. Less than a minute later, Josi set up partner Weber’s blast at 19:20. Marc Staal got caught and was late recovering allowing Matt Cullen and Josi to combine for Weber’s 12th. A rocket that nobody was stopping.

Trailing 2-1, the Rangers tied it early in the third thanks to McDonagh, who erased a 14-game goal drought. Taking a drop pass from Mats Zuccarello, he skated in and fired a laser past Rinne at 1:37. Brassard added his second assist.

The game remained tied until Ribeiro finished off a pretty play from Jones off a rush. Through the neutral zone, Jones took a Forsberg pass and skated through the weak backcheck of Brassard. Backing up McDonagh and Girardi, he dropped for Ribeiro, who shot through Girardi’s legs for the game-winner. Oddly, Brassard was out with Carl Hagelin and Tanner Glass, who trailed the play. So, basically two forwards lolly gagged on the winner including a fourth liner who shouldn’t have been out in a tie game. That’s on Alain Vigneault, who at times had his fourth line matched against the Preds’ first unit.

After they fell behind, the Rangers put on immense pressure. Their best chance came on a two-on-one with over two minutes left. Zuccarello passed across for Brassard, who missed the net after Rinne challenged. Why doesn’t Zuccarello shoot there? Because he so rarely does. He’s unselfish to a fault. If Brassard hits the net, there’s no second guessing.

Zuccarello also took a tripping penalty with 1:31 left. But it didn’t stop the Rangers from coming close shorthanded with Talbot pulled. If not for Rinne, they tie it. He was the difference making 30 saves. That’s why he’s the Vezina frontrunner and a Hart candidate.

NY Puck 3 Stars:

3rd Star-Rick Nash, NYR (league-leading 33rd, 5 SOG in 7 attempts for MVP candidate)

2nd Star-Roman Josi, NSH (10th of season, assist (27)-37 points in Weber’s shadow)

1st Star-Pekka Rinne, NSH (30 saves incl. some big ones late)

Notes: Nash’s goal made it 27 games he’s scored. Rangers had a 10-game win streak snapped when 61 lights the lamp falling to 19-7-1. … Without Derek Stepan (flu), Rangers dominated faceoffs winning an astounding 41 of 64. Brassard went 15-and-7 while Dominic Moore went 13-and-5. Back in the lineup centering the fourth line, J.T. Miller went 7-and-3 in 17 shifts-11:29. Preds’ best on draws was Paul Gaustad managing to go 10-and-10. … Updating Fast’s injury, Vigneault told reporters in the MSG post game that he has a sprained knee. So, he could be out a while. It looks like Stepan should return for tomorrow’s 5 PM game versus Dallas at MSG.