Rangers Win In Regulation On Road, Stun Predators 4-3

Johnluke Chaparro Updated: Dec 30, 2018

Fresh off of a stunning OT loss versus Columbus, the New York Rangers stormed into Bridgestone Arena hungry for a win, and that they did.

🚨 20 for #️⃣2️⃣0️⃣
Kreider now has a career-high 4 game goal streak! 🔥

Stay tuned on @MSGNetworks https://t.co/Q6oLfW9TjD

— x – New York Rangers (@NYRangers) December 30, 2018

On the strength of two Jesper Fast goals, stellar defensive plays along with Henrik Lundqvist’s superb performance, as usual, the Rangers stunned the Predators for their first road regulation win 4-3.

The Chris Kreider-Mika Zibanejad-Jesper Fast line registered 10 points in tonight’s game (three goals, seven assists), and all three players posted a three-point game. #NYR pic.twitter.com/AI8pWghrrD

— x – New York Rangers (@NYRangers) December 30, 2018

Jesper Fast and Cody McLeod Making A Mark: After missing a few games, Jesper Fast returned to the lineup in style by scoring two goals, one in the second and one in the third, both off of beautiful feeds from Mika Zibanejad. Fast, along with Kreider and Zibanejad did most of the heavy lifting tonight by putting up a combined 10 points all together, with all three linemates having at least three-point games. Additionally, this game signaled the return of Cody McLeod. Although he did not register a point, his physical presence and strong body checking along with solid defensive play led to the team as a whole playing more physically, which led to a bump in overall play. Not to be forgotten, Marc Staal also tallied a goal after a strong defensive play in his own end, that led to an odd man rush.

Here is Fast’s 2nd 🚨 of the game that was the game winner for #NYR https://t.co/jWpfCwZOGe

— x – New York Rangers (@NYRangers) December 30, 2018

Henrik Lundqvist, One More Time: 34 saves on 37 shots, Henrik Lundqvist turned in a beautiful performance against an offensively stacked Predators team. Acrobatic as always, Lundqvist made a number of strong saves, including one with him lunging out with his blocker and stick to rob a strong charge against him.

“We played for one another in here…that’s big for this group.” – #NYR Henrik Lundqvist

— x – New York Rangers (@NYRangers) December 30, 2018

Henrik Lundqvist has now made 22,000 saves in his NHL career. He ranks ninth on the NHL's all-time saves list (since saves were first tracked in 1955-56), and he is 203 saves away from tying John Vanbiesbrouck for eighth place on the league's all-time saves list. #NYR

— NY Rangers PR (@NYR_PR) December 30, 2018

Strong Team Effort: The Rangers played up-tempo hockey all night, as well as slowing down an incredibly potent Predators team. Outside of a few goals scored off of some mistakes and penalties, the Rangers played a strong defensive game, which led to many of the offensive chances that won it for New York. By slowing down the Predators in the neutral zone and stuffing them in the defensive zone, the Rangers were able to counter attack with speed and strike when needed. Marc Staal’s goal and Jesper Fast’s second goal are evident of this, as both plays were started by a strong defensive effort prior to both goals.

Next Game: The Rangers end 2018 on Monday night we in St. Louis against the Blues. Puck drops at 7.

LETS GO RANGERS!!