The New York Rangers managed one of their classic reverse annoyances. They have won games this season with less 20 shots on goal, and made it look easy.
On Monday night, they launched 41 shots on goal and lost 5-2 to the Nashville Predators.
It is maddening.
Juuse Saros made 39 saves to get the win and the Preds added two late empty net goals to ice the victory.
Chris Kreider and Artemi Panarin were the Rangers goal scorers.
“We just weren’t able to capitalize on our chances, which was disappointing,” Rangers coach David Quinn said. “The more we spent time in their end I thought we sold out a little bit too much for offense. When you sustain some offensive zone time you kind of lose sight of you still have to play hockey. I thought that cost us.”
Roman Josi struck twice for Nashville.
“From our end to their end, I think we could have pushed a little more offensively, but the guys were buying in, blocking shots, doing the right things, staying under pucks,” Ryan Ellis said. “We had to do a bit of soul-searching, and tonight was a good step in the right direction.”
Rocco Grimaldi, Mattias Ekholm and Ellis added single markers for the Preds.
“I was hoping but yesterday morning I thought for sure I wasn’t going to play because I still had a high fever and all that,” Ekholm said after an illness. “It kind of went away midday and then I got hopeful at night. I’m happy it turned out the way it did.”
[WATCH: All Predators vs. Rangers highlights]
Alexandar Georgiev made 19 saves in the loss.
“I thought we played pretty smart, the legs were going,” Mika Zibanejad said, “but just couldn’t finish.”
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