NEW YORK (NY) – The third line of Kevin Hayes, Michael Grabner and J.T Miller all got themselves on the stat sheet and helped the New York Rangers defeat the Nashville Predators 4-3 at Madison Square Garden. Henrik Lundqvist stopped 34 of 37 saves to give the Blueshirts their fourth win in a row. Joust Saros stopped 26 shots in the Predators 19th regulation loss of the year.
Chris Kreider set new career high with 22nd goal in win over Preds – file photo by Lewis Bleiman
The Rangers third line combined for six points on four goals as they continue to impress. Miller netted two goals, Hayes got three assists and Grabner yet again recorded a goal.
“We got a two-goal lead, exactly what we wanted, but [they had a] couple lucky bounces on their goals too,” Nashville center Ryan Johansen said. “And myself, I had three chances right in front and I have to find ways to get those in the net because I miss my chance, they come right back down and score.”
Despite the final score the Predators opened up the scoring from former Colorado Avalanche alternate captain Cody McLeod. Placing himself in front of the net, both Rangers defenseman Adam Clendening and center Derek Stepan had a miscommunication leaving him alone in front as he was able to bang home a wide open rebound.
“They maybe took a step back after we scored the first one and it gave us an opportunity to control the play a little bit more,” Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist said. “Going into the third, we were a confident group.”
The next goal came from the away squad as well when Calle Jarnkrok scored a power-play goal off the left circle a little under four minutes into the second period.
Denfeseman P.K Subban tallied an assist on both goals.
Then it was the Miller-Hayes-Grabner show.
“I think we all kind of complement each other,” Hayes said . “I like to pass, and clearly those two like to score. They are both having great years and are scoring at will right now. I’m just trying to find them. They try to get it to me in the zone, and I just go from there.”
New York got on the board for the first time of the night 8:12 into the second period after a great forecheck led to a forced turnover to Hayes in front of the net, who dished it to Grabner for a one-timer and his 26th of the year.
The goal was his 12th in the last 14 games and his 26th on the year, which ties him for third in the NHL with Vladimir Tarasenko, Cam Atkinson and Alex Ovechkin.
Their second goal came almost seven minutes later when Hayes found the puck on the opposite blue line and sped in with Miller on his right. His patience led to a last second quick pass between the defeseman’s leg for Miller to slam home.
After a back and forth beginning to the third period, Chris Greider found himself in the right place in front of the net when Mats Zuccarello fired the puck from the left boards to connect with the middle of Kreider’s stick to give the Rangers their first lead of the game.
The goal, Kreider’s 22nd, is the most he has had in a single season. Zuccarello’s assist was his 30th on the year. He has recorded at least 30 assists in four straight seasons for the Rangers since Brian Leetch (via @NYRangersPR).
With four minutes left in the game Miller got his second of the night when the puck would hit his body, go off Saros, off a Predators defenseman and in the net. The goal would be his 44th point of the year, giving him the most points he has scored in a season in his career.
The Rangers next game will be against the Avalanche in their last game of their four game home stretch on Saturday at 7pm.
WATCH: All Rangers vs. Predators highlights
The Predators head home to face Jaromir Jagr and the Florida Panthers on Saturday at noon.
“We’ve got some confidence at home and we’ve played some good games on the road, so we have to continue that,” McDonagh said.
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