3 least impressive New York Rangers players from 2-0 loss to Nashville Predators feat. Mika Zibanejad
Something is seriously amiss with the New York Rangers, whose train has completely run off the tracks and is heading toward a deep ravine with no slowing down.
Tuesday night presented an opportunity for them to halt their losing ways and take advantage of the Nashville Predators, one of the most puzzling NHL teams in 2024-25 and have fallen completely short of expectations after their massive offseason free-agent haul.
Instead, it was the Predators who earned the last laugh in a battle of two squads circling the drain. Nashville earned a 2-0 shutout win, improving to 9-17-6 and handing the Rangers their 11th loss in their last 14 games.
Jonathan Marchessault, who scored 40 goals last season for the Vegas Golden Knights and was part of the notable free-agent signings by GM Barry Trotz, opened the scoring with his eighth goal.
Neither team was able to find the back of the net in the second period; it wasn't until the midway point of the third period that the second and last goal of the game was scored, courtesy of Nashville's Adam Wilsby, his first of the year.
Igor Shesterkin made 30 saves in the loss, while Predators goalie Juuse Saros picked up the shutout by stopping all 25 shots he faced.
The Rangers are now 2-5 since trading captain Jacob Trouba to the Anaheim Ducks, and more deals are reportedly being considered by embattled GM Chris Drury.
3 least impressive New York Rangers players from 2-0 loss to Nashville Predators
#1. Mika Zibanejad
Once again, the Swedish-born Rangers forward failed to make any kind of an impact in a game that almost seemed custom-tailored for him to succeed.
He managed only two shots at Saros, finished a -2 and also committed a pair of giveaways, a disturbing trend of his not taking care of the puck.
#2. Chad Ruhwedel
Another Rangers defenseman who had a rough outing, he committed not one but two separate giveaways and also finished the night with a -1 rating.
He's been expected to play a larger role in the defense since the trade of Trouba, but it hasn't worked out yet.
#3. Reilly Smith
One of the former original misfits of the Vegas Golden Knights, Smith played last year with the Pittsburgh Penguins before being traded to New York prior to 2024-25.
His completely underwhelming campaign continued on Tuesday, as Nashville's Adam Wilsby embarrassed him with a deke at the blue line en route to scoring his first goal.
Smith is on an expiring contract and could soon be on the move if Drury decides that he's not in their long term plans.