The New York Rangers handled one of the worst teams in the NHL rather easily in a 4-0 victory against the Nashville Predators at Madison Square Garden on Sunday.
The win avenges a 2-0 loss in Nashville back on Dec. 17 when the Rangers were in the throes of a miserable 4-15-0 stretch. They’ve righted themselves since and are two points out of the second wild card in the Eastern Conference.
The Predators have lost four of five, 10 of 13 and are 30th overall in the NHL standings.
Here’s a look at the winners and losers from the Rangers’ shutout win over the Predators on Sunday.
Related: 3 Rangers takeaways from convincing 4-0 win against Predators
Winner – Mika Zibanejad – Rangers
Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images
Zibanejad had two assists to extend his point-scoring streak to six games. No one in the NHL has more points than Zibanejad’s 15 (four goals, 11 assists) since Feb 1. There’ was a physical element to his game, too, on Monday. What’s happened to this guy?!
Winner- J.T. Miller – Rangers
Credit: Danny Wild-Imagn Images
Here’s what’s happened to Zibanejad: he’s taken off since shifted to wing on a line with Miller, after the latter was acquired from the Vancouver Canucks on Jan. 31. Miller continued to roll since the trade, scoring a goal and adding assist against the Predators. He’s got 12 points (six goals, six assists) since the trade and is riding a five-game point streak.
Loser – Steven Stamkos – Predators
Credit: Mark Konezny-Imagn Images
Were you even aware Stamkos was on the ice Sunday? His horrific season continued in negative fashion, held off the score sheet for the 13th straight game. Stamkos didn’t record a single point in February and he was a ghost against the Rangers to start the month of March. Only three more years and $24 million to on that contract.
Winner – Jonathan Quick – Rangers
Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
The Rangers No. 2 goalie earned his 63rd career shutout in his 800th NHL game. Barely tested through the first two periods when he faced 15 shots, Quick made 19 saves in the third period, including an incredible scorpion save to rob Jonathan Marchessault in tight.
Winner – Brett Berard – Rangers
Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
Talk about making the most of your opportunity. The 22-year-old forward who was recalled from Hartford of the American Hockey League, logged 10:57 TOI, recorded five shots on goal and three hits, injecting life into the Rangers with his pace and aggressiveness. And he scored his fourth goal on a third-period snipe, that included an elite celly afterward.
Loser – Jonathan Marchessault – Predators
Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
Unlike Stamkos, Marchessault was noticeable for the Predators. In fact, he was second on Nashville with fiove shots on goal and tied for the team lead with nine shot attempts, most of which came from right around Rangers net. But Marchessault couldn’t solve Quick and appeared absolutely snake-bit, denied on at least four point-blank chances, stuck on a disappointing 18 goals this season.
Winner – Andreas Englund – Predators
Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
Englund is big (6-foot-4), but he’s not Matt Rempe big (6-foot-9). But that didn’t stop the Nashville defenseman from jumping to the defense of teammate Nick Blankenburg, who was dropped by a Rempe elbow 4:07 into the game. Englund more than held his own in a true heavyweight fight, landing a series of massive blows — and taking his fair share too — finally bloodying Rempe’s mouth and nose. It cost him 17 minutes in penalties but was a courageous thing to do.
Winner – Artemi Panarin – Rangers
Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images
Panarin’s first goal in seven games and team-leading 24th this season was an absolute bomb of a slap shot off the rush 8:32 into the game. He also had a gorgeous assist on Miller’s power-play goal and could’ve had at least a couple more goals himself. Panarin led all skaters with seven shots on goal and was a force for the first time in a while.
Jim Cerny is Executive Editor at Forever Blueshirts and Managing Editor at Sportsnaut, with more than 30 years of … More about Jim Cerny
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