Rangers Eye Breakthrough Victory Against Predators at Garden

The New York Rangers are facing a critical moment in their season as they prepare for a pivotal game against the Nashville Predators on Monday. After a disappointing start, the Rangers are searching for a breakthrough victory at Madison Square Garden.

Rangers’ Struggles at Home

This season, the Rangers have recorded the worst home start in franchise history, with a record of 0-6-1. Their recent performance has marked them as the lowest-scoring team in the NHL, averaging only 2.19 goals per game. They also rank at the bottom in power-play percentage (12.2) and shooting percentage (7.6).

Historical Context

• Last playoff appearance: 2010
• Overall home regulation losses: Over two decades since last season with more losses than wins
• First NHL team since 1928 to be shut out in five of the first seven home games

As of Sunday, the Rangers sought to overturn their fortunes against the Predators, a team that has struggled with goals against (3.47) and save percentage (.889). Nashville has lost seven out of its last eight games, providing the Rangers with a prime opportunity to secure two much-needed points.

Player Insights

Center Mika Zibanejad expressed frustration over the lack of scoring, emphasizing the urgency to secure a win at home. “We just gotta get a win,” he stated following their loss to the Islanders. Zibanejad noted, “It’s hard not to press when you haven’t scored at home.”

Team Dynamics

Captain J.T. Miller also recognized the mental aspect of their struggles. “We need to be mentally tough and regroup,” he said, encouraging his teammates to start strong and avoid early deficits that could derail their performance.

Roster Changes

In preparation for the game, the Rangers recalled Gabe Perreault, their 2023 first-round pick. He has shown promising offensive skills in the minor leagues with five goals and five assists in nine games this season. Conversely, Jaroslav Chmelar was sent down to Hartford after two NHL appearances.

The Rangers are determined to find a way to score and produce a victory in front of their home crowd. As they step onto the ice against the Predators, their hopes rest on breaking the home-ice curse and reigniting their season.