Predators 5, Rangers 3
NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- A third-period explosion by the Nashville Predators continued the New York Rangers' skid.
Right winger Craig Smith, defenseman Ryan Ellis and right winger James Neal scored in a span of 3:39 Monday night as Nashville dumped New York 5-3 at Bridgestone Arena.
Smith, who was called for interference on goalie Henrik Lundqvist to disallow what would have been left winger Filip Forsberg's second goal of the game, deflected a point blast from defenseman Roman Josi at 7:34. Lundqvist argued that Smith played the puck above the crossbar, but a review upheld the call. That put Nashville ahead 3-1.
Ellis made it 4-1 with a one-timer on the power play at 9:52, and Neal finished the outburst with his second goal of the game, a rebound at 11:13. Lundqvist (16-10-3) was pulled less than a minute later during a TV timeout for backup Antti Raanta, finishing with 30 saves.
The Rangers (20-13-4), who lost for the 12th time in 16 games, made it a bit more respectable with left winger Rick Nash's 11th goal at 13:20, followed by center J.T. Miller's eighth goal on a wrister at 16:02.
Rinne (15-10-6) made 26 saves as Nashville finished its four-game homestand at 3-1-0. It plays 11 of the next 14 games on the road, starting Tuesday night in St. Louis.
Forsberg initiated scoring at 18:56 of the first period with his third goal in two games. With New York center Derick Brassard in the box for roughing, Forsberg one-timed a cross-ice pass from Josi for his 10th goal of the season.
The Rangers got even at 6:59 of the second period as right winger Jesper Fast deflected a wrister from defenseman Dan Girardi past goaltender Pekka Rinne, picking up his sixth goal of the season.
Neal gave the Predators a 2-1 edge at 13:48 of the second, completing a 3-on-2 rush by beating Lundqvist with a wrister from the high slot for his team-high 14th goal. Center Mike Ribeiro set Neal up with a pass from the left wing.
NOTES: New York Ds Dan Girardi (cracked kneecap) and Kevin Klein (oblique) returned to the lineup after missing five and 11 games, respectively. ... Nashville C Mike Fisher (lower-body injury) returned after an 11-game absence. The team returned C Colton Sissons to Milwaukee of the American Hockey League. ... Rangers scratches were D Dylan McIlrath and RW Emerson Etem. ... The Predators scratched C Cody Hodgson, along with Ds Anthony Bitetto and Petter Granberg.