New York Rangers look to defeat Predators before heading west
Following Monday night’s victorious home opener over the Arizona Coyotes, the New York Rangers play one more home on Thursday against the Nashville Predators before heading west for an extended road trip. The upcoming trip will be headlined by stops in Seattle, Calgary, Edmonton, Vancouver, and Winnipeg.
The tilt versus the Coyotes featured a number of notable moments, including an accidental referee interference on an Artemi Panarin play in the offensive zone; several huge penalty kills by the Blueshirts, the most critical of which was in a 5-on-3 situation; and a mistake leading to an Arizona penalty shot, saved by Igor Shesterkin.
Chris Kreider scored his fourth goal in three games, Adam Fox and Mika Zibanejad both achieved their fourth assists of the season — while Panarin notched his third, and Igor Shesterkin looked like the Vezina Trophy winner he’s been in the past, stopping 26 of 27 shots.
Here’s tonight’s game and broadcast info:
New York Rangers vs. Nashville Predators
Date/Time: October 19, 2023 at 7:00 PM ET
Arena: Madison Square Garden
TV: MSG
Radio: 98.7 FM ESPN
Note: Subject to change, updated for each game
Additional note: Tonight the Rangers will celebrate Hispanic Heritage Night at Madison Square Garden, as part of Hispanic Heritage Month. MSG Networks will be providing viewers with a Spanish-language audio broadcast of the game, with Octavio Sequera in the play-by-play role and Brian Munguia as an analyst.
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New York Rangers projected lineup
The lineup that played Monday is projected for tonight’s game versus the Predators, with the possible exception of Nick Bonino, who was ruled day-to-day Wednesday with a lower body injury. Should Bonino not be available tonight, expect Jimmy Vesey to play fourth line left wing and Barclay Goodrow to center that line.
After practice, head coach Peter Laviolette said, “It’s maintenance — lower body. We’re hoping he’s on the ice tomorrow.”
Bonino’s status for tonight’s game will be updated as information permits.
Updated per multiple reports:
Kreider – Zibanejad – Kakko
Panarin – Chytil – Lafreniere
Cuylle – Trocheck – Wheeler
Goodrow – Bonino – Vesey
Lindgren – Fox
Miller – Trouba
Gustafsson – Schneider
Shesterkin
Quick
New York Rangers vs Nashville Predators
Key Rangers stats
As per the Rangers, in the early season the Blueshirts have allowed 24.3 shots per game, the second fewest in the NHL, while their 33.7 shots per game are eighth in the league. Moreover, New York has recorded a power play goal in its first three games of a season for the 13th time in team history and the first time since the 2005-2006 season (9 GP).
Through three games, the Rangers rank tied for fifth in the NHL in faceoff percentage, with a 53.6 mark (94-for-167).
The Blueshirts won 7-0 against the Predators at MSG last time they faced each other on March 19. New York scored six goals in the first period and tied the franchise mark for the most in an opening frame — a feat last accomplished on Dec. 15, 1999. K’Andre Miller became the first defenseman in Rangers history to record four points in a single period (2G-2A) with his four in the first frame.
Note: Stats do not include NHL action from Wednesday.
What to expect from the Predators
The Predators come into tonight’s game with a 1-3-0 record on the young season. Juuse Saros has been in net for Nashville in all four games to date, with a 3.41 GAA; hence there’s a possibility backup goaltender Kevin Lankinen will get the call tonight.
Scoring for the Predators in the previous four games have been Colton Sissons (3 points), Ryan O’Reilly (3 points), Filip Forsberg (3 points), Thomas Novak (2 points), Juuso Parssinen (2 points), Gustav Nyquist (2 points), Ryan McDonagh (2 points), Roman Josi (1 point), Tyson Barrie (1 point), Kiefer Sherwood (1 point), Cole Smith (1 point), Philip Tomasino (1 point), and Alexandre Carrier (1 point).
When asked Wednesday about his time with the Predators, Laviolette reminisced, “Roman [Josi] was someone that you could see early on was just a really good talent on the ice — and eventually became captain of the team just based on his leadership; so he’s been a really good player for Nashville.”
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