How Panarin decided to cut off the journalist’s phone. Under the jokes, Rangers tore up Tampa in Game 1

Who is he, the goalkeeper of the republic?

What was the key to Rangers’ success?

The fact that they forced Andrei Vasilevsky down from Olympus. He didn’t look like a god, but an ordinary person.

In the first six games of the first round against Toronto, the Tampa goaltender returned an average of 88.5% of shots and conceded at least three goals. That’s not the best stat for a goaltender who made 91.6% saves in the regular season.

But then Vasilevsky turned on the “god” mode, and in the next five matches he conceded only four goals. One per game plus breadcrumbs. This segment included the decisive Game 7 against Toronto, as well as a series with Florida, when Vasya eliminated the Panthers and their star goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky.

By the way, no one canceled the competition factor. And knowing the proud Vasilevsky, it was undoubtedly a question of motivation for him to beat Bob, with whom he sometimes shared the doors of the Russian team. It was necessary to show who he was, as according to Kassil, the first goalkeeper of the republic.

Before the series with the Rangers, New York goalkeeper Igor Shesterkin was asked about this duel with the Russian goalkeeper from Tampa. And he replied: “Vasilevsky is the best goalkeeper in the world today.”

The caveat that “today” is very important. A new day has arrived, summer has arrived, and Shesterkin outplayed Vasilevsky in Game 1 of the series, stopping 37 of 39 shots.

Artemy “Lightning Slayer” Panarin

It’s clear why the lion’s share of pundits bet on Tampa indiscriminately in this series. Why, two Stanley Cup winners in the last two years. A brilliant series with Florida, the team rallied, the attack rings, Vasilevsky goes out the door.

But the Lightning lack Braden Point, the second-leading scorer in the playoffs over the past two years. It is not at all a fact that he will come out in this series, although he has started training.

Rangers have the home advantage and that’s important at this stage. And interestingly, the New York Rangers haven’t lost to the Tampa Bay Lightning since November 14, 2019. Can you imagine?

Meanwhile, Rangers have won four times: 4:3 shootout, 4:0, 2:1 and this 6:2. Shesterkin in those games averaged 95% return shots and made a cracker.

Rangers forward Artemy Panarin has an even more incredible streak: As of 2019, he’s won nine of 10 games against Tampa and scored 12 (3+9) points in them.

Now in America, the Russian striker has started calling himself Artemy “Lightning Killer” Panarin.

It is curious that Vasilevsky missed more goals in 35 minutes of this game than in the entire series with Florida. And in the middle of the match, the score was 2:2. And then a young Czech Filip Khytil scored twice.

And there is also an interesting plot. After all, the match took place on June 1, when Russia celebrates Children’s Day. So while the Rangers are playing Kid Line – Children’s Troika.

Head coach Gerard Gallan brought together Czech Khytil (2+0), Finn Kaapo Kakko (0+1) and Canadian Alexi Lafrenier (0+2).

And these international guys finally scored 5 (2+3) points.

Here come the children!

Panarin: “We did better today”

With the score at 2-4 after two periods, Tampa could still count on a comeback.

But in the 30th second of the third period, Panarin received the puck from Andrew Kopp and threw it into Vasilevsky’s net with a single touch. And then Mika Zibanejad excelled.

Yes, unbelievable – Rangers scored six goals against the best goalkeeper in the world, which they failed to do in the first five games of the first round against Pittsburgh third goalkeeper Louis Doming.

In other words, they forced the divine Vasilevsky to look like an AHL goaltender.

And it’s embarrassing.

But there’s a sign that Tampa hasn’t lost back-to-back playoff games since 2019. And even after a resounding failure, an impressive victory follows. This series is only the beginning.

Panarin came to the press conference and answered two questions. He was first asked what he thought of Kid Line. Rangers youth played well.

“They did a great job in these playoffs,” Panarin replied. – It’s a pleasure to watch them. Most of the work is done for our team. They have already shown themselves well, and I hope they will be even better.

The second question was about the difference between Tampa and the Carolinas, which the Rangers managed in seven games.

“The Lightning have a slightly different defensive game,” Panarin said. – “Carolina” plays a little closer to the opponent, but “Tampa” moves more to the penny, plays tighter there. Maybe that’s why there was a difference. We just improved today.

And there was a funny episode during the press conference. The reporters put their phones on the table, where they recorded what the players were saying on a dictaphone. As Zibanejad answered the question, Panarin, with a straight face, quietly picked up a phone and pretended to put it in his pocket. And then he took it off and put it back on amidst general laughter.

You can see that Rangers are in an incredible mood now, even though they’ve been through two seven-game series. But the team is young, everything is in order with the physics.

And most importantly – there is courage.

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.

Score in the series – 1-0