The New York Rangers are leaving Saturday’s game against the Nashville Predators feeling wounded in more ways than one.
For one thing, the two teams continue to move in opposite directions in the standings, with the Predators staying hot and the Rangers’ playoff hopes dwindling in a 5-2 decision for Nashville.
The bumps and bruises weren’t just figurative, though.
Things got nasty at times between the two teams, and in some cases, it seemed a little one-sided. Marc Staal didn’t return to the game after a hard, questionable hit by Alexei Emelin, a defenseman with a reputation for blurring the line between being physical and delivering illegal checks:
Considering Staal’s injury history, there are some very reasonable concerns about another possible concussion.
Concern for Marc Staal, previously thrice concussed in NYR career, who is done for night (at least) after taking uncalled Emelin head shot.
— Larry Brooks (@NYP_Brooksie) February 4, 2018
That wasn’t the only physical moment, either, as Jimmy Vesey was bloodied and did not return to the game after a heavy collision with Filip Forsberg:
Vesey the recipient of a absolutely BRUTAL Forsberg #ButtCheck. REVERSE CHOO CHOO! #Preds #NYR pic.twitter.com/EpmVln8uG6
— Bally Sports: Preds (@PredsOnBally) February 4, 2018
(The tone of such a tweet is a reminder that Predators fans haven’t forgotten about Vesey leaving town.)
The check left Vesey bloodied:
Jimmy Vesey with the bloody mouth. #Preds pic.twitter.com/HzNw3AU3sR
— Mark Harris (@itismarkharris) February 4, 2018
That was enough for Brady Skjei to drop the mitts in a fight with Ryan Johansen, but the fight might have gone Johansen’s way.
So, the Rangers lost two notable players to injury, badly lost, and their opponents had a “dance party” after the game. Not good.
Moments like these only rub salt into your wounds:
hahahahaha @PKSubban1 chirping the entire #NYR bench. #Preds #Subban4Norris pic.twitter.com/TVAP295qwP
— Bally Sports: Preds (@PredsOnBally) February 4, 2018
The Predators are a team that can win in a number of ways, and apparently that can sometimes means getting a little nasty. The Rangers found that out in a painful way.
UPDATE:
Nashville’s Filip Forsberg will have a hearing today for interference on NY Rangers’ Jimmy Vesey.
— NHL Player Safety (@NHLPlayerSafety) February 4, 2018
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James O’Brien is a writer for Pro Hockey Talk on NBC Sports. Drop him a line at phtblog@nbcsports.com or follow him on Twitter @cyclelikesedins.