After a super productive start to the Western Conference finals (Colorado and Edmonton scored 14 goals in total), the confrontation between the Rangers and Tampa in the East was announced to be calmer. Both teams, unlike their colleagues, know how to play defensively, and their gates are guarded by some of the NHL’s best goaltenders, Igor Shesterkin and Andrey Vasilevsky.
But the reality exceeded expectations. The Eastern teams staged, perhaps not the most open, but quite goal-scoring, the opener of the series, scoring eight goals to two. The nature of the game was predetermined by the first seven minutes, in which the teams’ main sharpshooters Chris Kreider and Steven Stamkos traded dropped pucks, and Vasilevsky and Shesterkin couldn’t save their teams.
Then the Rangers keeper joined the game. Shesterkin put in another superb performance, stopping 37 shots late in the game, and seriously dragged Rangers down in the second half of the first period as the Lightning tried to extend their lead. Particularly active was Nikita Kucherov, who scored a record number of shots on target in the current qualifiers (7), but failed to hit the compatriot’s goal.
Vasilevsky, unlike Shesterkin, today did not become the “tascher” who helped Tampa in the previous five games. The Lightning goaltender can’t make big claims, but he hasn’t made any miraculous saves either. Since the second period, when the Rangers managed to pin the Lightning in their box, Vasilevsky has conceded five goals. In total, he scored six goals, which was a repeat of a personal anti-record in playoff games.
More than others, the “Rangers” succeeded the “Link Toddlers”. Troika Lafrenière – Khytil – Kakko, with a score of 2-2 in the second half of the second half, organized two beautiful goals, the author of which in both cases was the Czech center forward. In total, New York’s third tie scored 5 (2+3) points.
The difference in the quality of play between Shesterkin and Vasilevsky was noticed by fans in the stands at Madison Square Garden. Throughout the end of the third period, the public chanted “Igor is better!”, saying “hello” to the two goalkeepers. It is possible that the situation will change in the next meeting – since the start of the 2020 qualifiers, Vasilevsky has won 17 times after defeats, never losing two matches in a row.
The start of the final twenty-minute period was Artemy Panarin’s stellar moment. In the opening seconds, the Russian corrected the loophole that led to Ondrej Palat’s goal, closing Andrew Kopp’s pass from the left circle as Rangers counterattacked with a one-timer. Six minutes later, Panarin himself acted as an assist, making a productive pass to Mika Zibanezhad in the majority.
Tampa, after an eight-day rest before the start of the series, suffered a painful loss from the Rangers, who play the entire playoff game in one day, and brought even more intrigue to this Eastern Conference Finals. The day after tomorrow, the Lightning will try to even the score before the return trip.
NHL. Playoffs
New York Rangers (New York) – Tampa Bay Lightning (Tampa) – 6:2 (1:1, 3:1, 2:0)
Goals: Crider, 1:11. Vatrano, 27:50. Khytil, 30:09, 35:43. Panarin, 40:30. Zibanejad, 46:06 (bol.). —Stamkos, 7:18. Chambers, 28:32.
Source : MatchTV
I am Sandra Jackson, a journalist and content creator with extensive experience in the news industry. I have been working in the news media for over five years. During this time, I have worked as an author and editor at various outlets producing high-quality content that attracts readers from different demographics.
