The assumption from the Rangers is that the NHL will realize what Ryan Ellis did deserved more than just a two-minute penalty.

During the Rangers’ 5-2 loss to the Predators at the Garden on Monday night, the Nashville defenseman stuck out his elbow and nailed winger Pavel Buchnevich in the head at 8:01 of the second period. It was a violent collision that somehow only drew a minor penalty, rather than a five-minute major or a game misconduct. The assumption would be that the department of player safety look at the hit and possibly suspend of fine Ellis.

Buchnevich went to concussion protocol, but was apparently not hurt and missed just over seven minutes of game time before returning.

“It was a dangerous hit for sure, and I’m sure the league will look at it,” Rangers coach David Quinn said. “I think our guys were frustrated with the hit and more wasn’t made of it. But I’m sure the league will look at it and handle the situation appropriately.”

Brendan Lemieux was angry and banging on the glass of the penalty box after he was called for interference at 19:19 of the first period, simply battling for position with Roman Josi in front of the Nashville net.

Then going to the bench during a television timeout at 15:27 of the second period, Lemieux took a small slash to his leg from Josi and responded with a small bump to Josi’s chest. He was called for a 10-minute misconduct.

Lemieux now has 71 penalty minutes in 31 games, good for second-most in the league behind only Evander Kane. He has also drawn 19, good for third in the league.

The Rangers power play went 0-for-4, as Quinn switched sides for Artemi Panarin (now on the right) and Kaapo Kakko (now on the left), a decision made with the input of the players.

“Evaluating our power play is something they want to do, and they feel comfortable,” Quinn said. “That doesn’t mean we’re not going to put them back on their off-sides, if that seems like the right thing to do. But teams were really starting to overplay [Panarin] on that offside, taking him out of the picture. So we thought we’d change things up a little bit.”

Asked if he liked what he saw, Quinn said, “0-for-4? No.”

Forward Micheal Haley was the healthy scratch for the sixth time in the past seven games.

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