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Predators Shut Out Rangers, Wilsby Notches First Career Goal

By Nick Kieser Dec 17, 2024 | 10:33 PM

The Nashville Predators opened their four-game homestand on Tuesday evening with a 2-0 win over the New York Rangers. Jonathan Marchessault & Adam Wilsby were the lone goal scorers as the Predators shut out an opponent for the third time this season.

New York suffered their first shutout loss of the season as the Predators took control of the contest in the third period.

“Real big commitment to the defensive side of the game tonight,” head coach Andrew Brunette said. “It wasn’t pretty at times. I thought early in the game I didn’t love our pace, they’re a desperate team & we knew that coming in.

“Really proud of the group & how we finished the last five minutes. We didn’t give up a whole lot. We closed the game out, our details were sharp & that’s hard to do when things aren’t going your way this year.”

In the first period tonight, forward Tommy Novak continued to make egregious gaffes. One in the first period was with Rangers defenseman Adam Fox. The two-way defender was working his way up the neutral zone during the first period & Novak had the space to land a check. Instead, he went for the puck & was caught reaching.

The play went the opposite direction & Novak was out of position leaving his backchecking teammates out to dry.

Nashville was still fervently trying to generate a quality rush up the ice & eventually seized a chance to break up the ice after the Rangers mishandled the puck.

As the Predators began to spark some life Stamkos took a faceoff with 6:33 to play in the opening frame & 10 seconds later on a tic tac toe play, Marchessault buried his 8th of the season to take a 1-0 lead.

“I thought tonight might of been their best game,” Brunette said. “Stamkos is skating like a young pup right now & driving through the middle of the ice. I thought Marchessault was really good along the wall & really good in the offensive zone. They have a little bit of chemistry going right now & I hope they can continue to build it every night.”

Rangers defenseman Chad Ruhwedel failed to keep the puck inside the blue line & Nashville went on their fastbreak with New York trying to regroup on the fly.

After six high-danger chances in the first period, the Predators were poised to maintain their attack.

In the second period, New York drew the first penalty of the game as Gustav Nyquist was called for hooking Alexis Lafreniere. In the final seconds of the powerplay, Brady Skjei knocked the puck away as New York had an open net to tie the game.

“The staff has been good at helping me learn & adjust to this penalty kill,” Nick Blankenburg said. “I haven’t killed like this where it’s super aggressive but so far I’ve really liked it. They’re the number one penalty kill in the league so I wanted to come in & not change that.”

The pace of the game continued to rise as Luke Evangelista instigated a fracas with Rangers forward Will Cuylle. Predators defenseman Marc Del Gaizo took the initiative to stand up for Evangelista & fight Cuylle.

New York went on the powerplay after Evangelista was called for cross-checking & Del Gaizo was assessed for roughing & fighting. Nashville went on to kill off the Rangers’ second chance on the man advantage.

The Predators had a late powerplay & with 45 seconds left Rangers forward Vincent Trocheck was stopped on a breakaway by Saros. Nashville held on to a 1-0 lead going into the final frame.

Nashville’s dagger ended up being defenseman Adam Wilsby’s first career NHL goal as he beat Reilly Smith at the blue line & walked down to fire a wrister past Shesterkin.

“Tonight, we needed that one. I’m really happy for him,” Brunette said. “The poise he showed today for that goal was good & it seems like he’s more comfortable every game.”

Up Next

The Predators welcome Sidney Crosby & the Pittsburgh Penguins to town on Thursday night. Forward Cody Glass will make his first return to Nashville after being dealt to the Steel City this summer.

Stay tuned to the action right here on 102.5 The Game with Pete Weber & Jay More on the call.

Follow Nick Kieser on Twitter/X: @KieserNick

Photos courtesy of the Nashville Predators

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