Sean Avery Scores to Lead New York Rangers Over Nashville Predators

Led by Sean Avery with his first goal since rejoining the NHL last week, the New York Rangers won 4-2 over the Nashville Predators. Henrik Lundqvist made NHL history by getting his 30th win for the fourth year in a row from the start of his career.

The historic victory puts the Rangers back into the playoff picture after falling out, briefly, when they lost a game to the Carolina Hurricanes and the Pittsburgh Penguins leapfrogged over them.

The Rangers are now tied with the Hurricanes with 77 points, just one point behind the Penguins, with a record of 35-25-8.

It was the Predators third loss in a row and they are now out of the playoffs. It was their only loss of the season so far after leading at the end of the first period. The Rangers have now won four of their last five games in their Cinderella stretch run.

Scott Gomez had a goal and two assists, Ryan Callahan had a pair of assists, and Lundqvist played a strong game for the win. Callahan and Avery were the top two forwards for the Rangers, creating chances in front of the net in all three periods.

Avery added a lot of energy to the game and was a scoring threat all night, despite being targeted by the Predators for hit after hit. He was involved in all but one of the Rangers goals.

Avery got the first goal of the game and his first goal as a Ranger this season three and a half minutes into the game. Gomez and Nik Zherdev both got assists on Avery's goal.

Avery was the trailer on the play and picked up the puck on a rebound after a shot by Gomez. Rangers coach John Tortorella has given Avery more ice time each game and promoted him from the third line to the first for the game against the Predators.

Avery replaced Markus Naslund to play with Gomez and Zherdev on the Rangers first line. Avery played with Gomez last season.

Callahan replaced Zherdev during the game. The Avery line, with Gomez and Callahan, got lots of shots and several excellent scoring chances against the Predators.

Shane Webber tied it up with a powerplay goal several minutes later. The Predators got a lucky bounce when the puck went in the net off the skate of Dan Girardi. J.P. Dumont got credit for the goal.

The Predators had Scott Nichols back in their lineup after suffering a concussion and he lost no time lining up Avery for a big hit.

At the start of the second period Avery's line scored again. Avery hustled down the ice to prevent an icing call shortly after getting flattened by Scott Nichols, and got the puck in front of the net. It went in off a skate and both Callahan and Gomez were credited with the goal.

That play took the momentum away from the Predators and took the crowd out of the game.

Dan Hamhuis flattened Avery in front of the Predators net in the second period. Avery ran into Predators goalie Dan Ellis and was swarmed by Predators players. Nashville was called for just two penalties, to Jordin Tootoo and Vernon Fiddler for high-sticking and tripping. Zherdev and Naslund were called for slashing and interference.

The Rangers also got called for having too many men on the ice.

Avery was credited with a second goal, to put the Rangers ahead 3-2, when the puck was jammed past Ellis through a pile-up, but game officials later gave it to Marc Staal.

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