On an exciting night for Keith Yandle, the Rangers took care of business dominating the Predators 4-1 at MSG to improve to 7-0-2 in their last nine on home ice. Making his Broadway debut wearing number 93, Yandle took most of his 24 shifts with Kevin Klein. The third pair formed solid chemistry from the outset with one early shift spent in the offensive zone leading to a pair of scoring chances.
For his part, Yandle was unselfish setting up open teammates. Though he didn’t register a point and was on for a goal against, it was a good start for the former Coyote brought in to stabilize the blueline. He also saw two minutes on the power play demonstrating why Glen Sather sacrificed top prospect Anthony Duclair for him.
Dominating at even strength, they carried the play against the team with the league’s best record. Even though Nashville entered losers of two straight, it was impressive. All 18 skaters were in sync including Tanner Glass, who got the start over James Sheppard, who took warm ups after a late arrival. Glass registered an assist for the second straight game setting up a crucial insurance marker from linemate Dominic Moore with 14:09 left in regulation. Although they were on for the Preds only goal, that line with returning forward Jesper Fast was effective.
Coach Alain Vigneault prefers to roll four lines. In this one, it worked well because his team won most of the battles. They were solid defensively. On a rare Preds chance that misfired, Dan Boyle made a good read and came out with the puck in the neutral zone leading to the game’s first goal. On an odd-man rush, Derick Brassard’s back pass for the trailer was tipped by Mats Zuccarello right to Marc Staal, who beat Pekka Rinne high glove with his fifth. A perfectly executed play by a very fast team dangerous in transition.
In a period they outshot the Preds 12-5, they easily could’ve had more. But Rinne made some timely saves and had his best friend the goalpost preventing a Carl Hagelin goal on a Kevin Hayes set up. The third line with J.T. Miller continued to play well cycling the puck effectively and generating chances. In a conference call, Sather referenced Hayes’ development for a reason he parted with Duclair. He might not have said so but Miller’s improvement also helped. The former 2011 first round pick is now a regular playing a top nine role under the same coach who questioned his commitment in ’13-14.
The second started similarly with the Rangers continuing to take control. On an extended shift, Brassard combined with Zuccarello to set up a streaking Chris Kreider, who came on for Rick Nash on a change. With Nashville lost defensively, Zuccarello threaded the needle to Kreider for his 17th increasing to 2-0 at 4:14.
For the first half, it was all Blueshirts. But the Preds started to come on in the second half. They put together consecutive shifts in the Ranger end and finally got back in the game when former Ranger Matt Cullen finished off a nice Taylor Beck pass between Yandle on a two-on-one down low. Fast turned over the puck leading to Beck making a perfect feed for a Cullen one-timer that beat Cam Talbot. With his defense playing well for the most part, he didn’t have to make many big saves but was good when he had to be stopping 25 of 26 including 10 in the third.
Trailing by one, the Predators came out aggressively to start the final stanza. But Talbot was sharp. His teammates also were looking like a different team than the one that got outworked by the Flyers Saturday on NBC. In particular, Staal had a very strong game making excellent reads including shorthanded where he excels. He also continued to jump into the play looking more confident in Year 2 under Vigneault. He didn’t get one of the three stars because the media must’ve been asleep. But Staal was dominant. So too were Ryan McDonagh and Dan Girardi with each having one of their best games. Even Boyle played well in his end finishing plus-two.
That kind of commitment is needed for the Rangers to come out of the East. It should prove more difficult with either the Pens or Caps a potential first round opponent with the Islanders likely standing in the way in Round 2. The Canadiens have a similar road with the Bruins and either the Lightning or Red Wings potential second round opponents. As evidenced by Sunday’s snowfall on the first day of March, Spring is a long way off. A lot depends on where each team winds up and how they’re playing. To their credit, the Rangers have continued to win without Henrik Lundqvist, who celebrated his 33rd birthday today. Undoubtedly, he’ll be needed for any run.
On a excellent shift by the fourth line started by Miller who changed, they salted the game away. Fast atoned for his giveaway by winning a puck battle down low to Glass. Glass patiently waited before using the boards to set up a low Girardi one-timer that caromed off Rinne right to Moore, who deposited his sixth to make it 3-1 at 5:51. It was a nice reward for a hard working player who’s consistent. Despite working with Glass and recently departed Lee Stempniak most of the season, Moore has continued to perform well. Vigneault trusts him in one-goal games and knows he can count on Moore to win key defensive draws. He doesn’t get enough credit for the job he does.
With his team unable to mount much at even strength, Nashville coach Peter Laviolette opted to pull Rinne for an extra attacker with three and a half minutes left. While his team did manage to get more offensive possession, they had to work for their chances. Talbot shut the door. After a few icings, Nash took a Klein pass and sent a puck into the vacated net for his team-leading 38th at 19:16. His first goal since returning from neck spasms. He trails red hot Alexander Ovechkin by three for the Rocket Richard. He had more jump in this one and looked like himself. A good sign moving forward.
As for the game’s Three Stars, the media selected Kreider third, Talbot second and Zuccarello first to loud “Zuuuucccc” chants. Finally re-signed by the club for a reported four years, $18 million with a no-movement clause in Year 1 and protection, he played extremely well and earned those chants. It would’ve been a mistake to trade him. I’m glad he told his agent to go back to the Rangers and make the best deal possible to stay. He loves it here and we love him.
BONY 3 Stars:
3rd Star-Tanner Glass, NYR (assist, 3 SOG, 3 hits, Even in 16 shifts-10:31-for all the flak he gets, he’s played well lately)
2nd Star-Marc Staal, NYR (goal-5th of season, +2 in 29 big shifts-18:51)
1st Star-Mats Zuccarello, NYR (2 assists-24, 25, 2 takeaways, +2 in 17:59)
Notes: Yandle finished with three shots and went minus-one in 19:41 with five shot attempts. … Not really sure why the third line didn’t play more. Hayes (10:34) and Miller (11:27) both had good games as did Hagelin, who had four shots and another two attempted. Curiously, Vigneault used Glass shorthanded over Hayes with Fast back. … Rinne finished with 36 saves taking the loss. … Rangers neutralized Shea Weber, who was on for all four goals against with only two shots. Rookie Filip Forsberg went minus-three despite a couple of chances. … NYR lost the faceoff battle 36-31 led by Moore, who went 8-and-6. Mike Fisher was 15-and-7 for Nashville.
… Rangers (39-17-6) moved back into first tying the Islanders in points (84) but have two more ROW (36-34) and two more games left (20-18). They now go on a five-game road trip with stops at Detroit 3/4, Chicago 3/8, the Islanders 3/10, the Capitals 3/11 and the Sabres 3/14.
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