Vesey helps Rangers silence Nashville

sisted he wasn’t sending a message to the Nashville fans.

“It wasn’t at all about rubbing it in to Nashville,’’ Vigneault said. “When we came off after morning skate, our guys said to me Jimmy took three shots in shootout fashion and he scored all three times. I had that in the back of my mind and it paid off for us.”

The former Harvard standout has impressed his coach and teammates.

“It was a big moment for him and I thought he han- dled it great,” Ryan McDonagh said. “I think most people would relish [the situation]. It’s a unique storyline, for sure. He had the freedom and chose what he did. We’re glad we have him.”

And they’re glad they have Lundqvist, who kept the Blueshirts in the game, especially once Nashville began attacking more in the second period —and then nonstop for stretches during the third.

It helped that the Rangers were able to kill three more penalties without being scored upon, bringing the streak to 18 straight.

“Because we haven’t scored that much, it’s been a huge part of our wins,” Lundqvist said. “If we’re not able to kill penalties, there’s no way we’re winning these games.”

In fact, the Rangers have scored more than two goals just once in their last seven games.

“A lot of times, the best penalty kill is goaltending,” Vigneault said.

Rick Nash gave the Rangers an early lead against a Nashville team that entered having lost three of four and played without defenseman P.K. Subban, who was out with an upper body injury.

The Predators tied the score midway through the second on a Mike Fisher goal following a turnover by J.T. Miller at 9:22.

Lundqvist withstood a flurry of pressure early in the third as the Predators dictated the play to start the period and the game remained tied.

Until the shootout, when Vesey made his presence felt.