Nashville @ New York preview

Last Meeting ( Nov 2, 2019 ) NY Rangers 2, Nashville 1

The New York Rangers have failed to gain any consistent momentum since recording a three-game winning streak prior to American Thanksgiving, alternating losses and victories over their last nine contests (4-3-2). The Rangers aim to get back on track Monday when they open a three-game homestand against the Nashville Predators.

Mika Zibanejad scored twice in his second consecutive contest and Artemi Panarin tallied in his fourth straight outing on Saturday as New York concluded a four-game trek with a 4-3 shootout loss to Anaheim. "This one stings," Zibanejad, who scored 10 seconds into the game before Panarin doubled the early advantage with his sixth goal in four contests at 3:59 of the first period, told reporters. While the Rangers were unable to capitalize on a fast start, Nashville was done in after allowing four goals in the second period of Saturday's 4-1 setback to Dallas. "Frustrating, yes, and embarrassing is another (word) that can kind of cover that. It just hasn't been good enough," Austin Watson told reporters after the Predators' second straight setback.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, FS Tennessee (Nashville), MSG (New York)

ABOUT THE PREDATORS (14-12-5): Although Filip Forsberg saw his three-game point streak (one goal, three assists) come to a halt on Saturday, it was the collective play of the team that stuck in his craw. "It's always frustrating, it doesn't really matter what our previous record is. It's been happening, it's not good enough and we need to change it quick," the 25-year-old Swede told reporters. Forsberg boosted his point total to eight (three goals, five assists) in 10 career meetings with New York after setting up Viktor Arvidsson's power-play goal in Nashville's 2-1 home loss on Nov. 2.

ABOUT THE RANGERS (16-12-4): Zibanejad has recorded 10 points (seven goals, three assists) in 10 contests since returning from a 13-game absence because of an upper-body injury. "He's starting to really find his groove and look like he did before the injury," New York coach David Quinn said of the 26-year-old Swede. Panarin, who has 13 points (three goals, 10 assists) in 14 career contests versus Nashville, boasts six goals and two assists during his four-game point streak.

OVERTIME

1. Nashville captain D Roman Josi, who leads the team in assists (19) and points (26), also set up Arvidsson's goal in the first encounter with New York.

2. Rangers C Ryan Strome, who scored in the first meeting with the Predators, has 12 points (one goal, 11 assists) in his last 15 contests.

3. Nashville C Nick Bonino has a club-best 12 goals this season, although only three have been scored on the road.

PREDICTION: Predators 2, Rangers 1