In the past few days, the top defensive pairing of the New York Rangers has completely changed due to an injury and a trade. Still within striking distance in a crowded Eastern Conference race for one of two wild-card spots,
Defenseman Marc Del Gaizo scored his first career goal and registered his first multi-point game in the Nashville Predators' loss to the Islanders.
Artemi Panarin, J.T. Miller and K’Andre Miller and Brett Berard scored goals and goaltender Jonathan Quick, playing in his 800th game, made 34 saves (to earn his third shutout of the season and 63rd of his career) as the Rangers (30-26-4, 64 points) pulled within two points of the last playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
The Predators lost both games in New York over the weekend, a 7-4 loss to the Islanders and a 4-0 loss to the Rangers. Nashville (21-32-7, 49 points) remains in seventh place in the Central Division, four points ahead of the Chicago Blackhawks.
Nashville, in games against the Islanders and Rangers on Saturday and Sunday, picked up two losses in New York this weekend by a combined 11-4 score. The Predators' woeful road record dropped to 6-20-4 this season, and Sunday's shutout was the team's ninth shutout this season.
The NHL isn't enforcing any extra penalty against Matt Rempe after his big hit against the Predators on Monday night.