Shorthanded Rangers struggle mightily again in brutal loss to Predators

NASHVILLE, TN. — The odds were stacked against the Rangers going into this game. 

After finding out they’d be without their captain on a week-to-week basis earlier in the day, the Blueshirts lost two more forwards to illness Sunday night and were forced to deploy 11 forwards and seven defenseman in an empty-net-abetted 2-1 loss to the Predators at Bridgestone Arena. 

The loss of J.T. Miller to an upper-body injury was already going to be a big hurdle to overcome. 

Just before puck drop, however, the Rangers announced that Gabe Perreault and Matt Rempe would not be available to play due to illness.

It put the Rangers at a serious disadvantage that was evident for the entire 60-minute affair.

Filip Forsberg celebrates a goal during the Predators’ Dec. 21 win over the Rangers. NHLI via Getty Images

Since Artemi Panarin missed the game in St. Louis because he was under the weather as well, it appears something is making its way through the Rangers locker room. 

Three players who were previously scratched — Urho Vaakanainen, Jonny Brodzinski and Taylor Raddysh — drew back into the lineup. For both Vaakanainen and Brodzinski, it had been three straight games since they last played, while Raddysh was a scratch against the Flyers on Saturday. 

Despite being short-handed, the Rangers struggled mightily against a Predators team that was tied for the least amount of points in the NHL (32) coming into the contest.

Both teams were skating on the second night of a back-to-back slate, but Nashville more than doubled the Rangers shots on goal through each of the first two periods. 

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Artemi Panarin looks to take a shot during the Rangers’ Dec. 21 win over the Predators. Imagn Images

The first goal of the game didn’t come until the 10:44 mark of the second period, when Filip Forsberg scored off the rush. 

At times, one goal has felt insurmountable for this Rangers team.

Sunday night was one of those instances.