The Garden Lives Again: Rangers Put Away Nashville in Style
The Rangers came into MSG tonight looking to, at long last, break the slump and earn their first victory in the Garden. Meanwhile, Nashville was looking for any way to get going after a slow start to the season. Currently 0-6-1 at home, the Blueshirts either get the win or risk sinking even lower than they are now. Fans in MSG prayed for a long-awaited home win, and those prayers were soon answered as the Rangers ended the streak at last. After more than a month, the New York Rangers got their first win at home with a relieving 6-3 victory over the Nashville Predators.
The puck hit the ice, and both teams were off. Similar to their previous game, New York began with an early chance for Alexis Lafreniere, but Juuse Saros wasn't gonna be beaten that easily. Nashville soon picked up the pace with some long shifts, giving those fans in MSG a good scare. What was first a good 10 minutes of constant fear soon turned into a sigh of relief as the goal horn sounded at long last. With plenty of room, Mika Zibanejad sped in between two Predators and beat Saros to make it 1-0 Rangers. A good start at last, but the game had only just begun.
As MSG at last had life, New York knew there was plenty of hockey remaining; they needed more. A close chance for their top prospect, Gabe Perreault, as he put a rebound just wide of the net; a goal from him would've surely got the Blueshirts going. New York was fast, but Nashville got the equalizer off a penalty that MSG disagreed with. A few great saves by Igor Shesterkin, but a scramble in front led to Matthew Wood tying the game at one. The Garden was silenced, but the Rangers weren't, as they came out with full force and brought back energy to the New York fans. An impressive shift led to Vladislav Gavrikov with plenty of room, beating Saros to make it 2-1 Rangers.
Period number two began, and New York maintained the momentum. An early penalty by Nashville gave New York some breathing room as Lafreniere went five-hole on Saros, making it 3-1 New York. Not only a pretty goal, but it earned Perreault his first NHL point, a good sign for his season debut. It was all Rangers through the second, and soon 4-1 as Lafreniere set Artemi Panarin for a blast at the blue line that sneaked through. The Blueshirts weren't done in that period yet as Will Cuylle joined the fun and made it 5-1 off a three-on-two rush in the final seconds of the period.
As the third period began, Saros’ night was now over as Justus Annunen stepped on the ice. Nashville began to pick up the pace, but the score remained. A few penalties here and there, including a five-on-three chance for Nashville twice, which led to Matthew Wood earning himself another as he made it 5-2. With the whistles at last stopping, New York once again responded immediately as Panarin banked in his second goal of the night to make it 6-2. Nashville wasn't done yet, though. Matthew Wood completed the hat trick with his third of the night in the dying seconds of the game and made it 6-3. The final minutes ticked off, and the drought had officially ended for New York.
The sound of boos was nowhere to be seen tonight as the fans were blessed at long last with a brilliant performance at MSG from the New York Rangers. Nashville may not be the biggest threat in the NHL, but a win like this is still a start, especially when they head back on the road for their next game. Nashville goes back home to take on Pittsburgh, while the Rangers set out for Tampa Bay for another challenge on the road. A great night in MSG for the Blueshirts, now let's see if their road magic can continue.
