Athletistic will broadcast a live online text broadcast: Hockey. NHL. Eastern Conference. The final. The fifth game Rangers – Tampa Bay. Direct
Things are a little different now than when the Lightnings hit the ice at Madison Square Garden before. By the end of Game 2, they were off the ice, having lost back-to-back playoff games for the first time since 2019. Rangers appeared to have all the momentum and Lightning season obituaries were in the works.
Now, after two wins in Tampa, the Lightning seem to have turned the tide and the Rangers are in the balance. But the fact is that “New York” has already been in a similar situation. In the first round, they lost the first two games in Pittsburgh and returned to the Garden, losing 1-3, after which they won three in a row.
Then against the Carolinas, they lost the first two games on the road, then won the next four of five games (the only loss was on the road). Let’s face it, Rangers aren’t having their best away games. They lost 7 out of 9 games and conceded 3.67 goals per game while scoring 2.44 away goals. Compare that to their home record of 8 wins in 9 matches, where they score 4.22 goals per game and concede just 2.22.
Their star in goal, Igor Shesterkin, is 8-1 at home with a .948 SV% and 2.04 GAA, but only 2-6 away with a rather modest .904 SV% and 3.42 GAA. In other words, it’s great that the Lightning tied the series, but all they managed to do was even the odds.
If at the beginning of the series they were drowning, it is only now that they have resurfaced and can catch their breath a little. They haven’t landed yet, and that’s perhaps the hardest part. Over the next two or more games, the Lightning must find a way to play with the same determination and skill they showed in games three and four. And they have to do it in New York.
The two key factors in today’s game will be Andrei Vasilevsky (as usual) and the Lightning’s second tie. Vasilevsky has improved over this streak. He hasn’t reached the level he was in the Florida Series yet, but he’s back where we expect him to be.
As for the second link. Anthony Cirelli, Alex Killorn and Brandon Hagel have been together since Game 2. In those three games, they were in possession of the puck and creating chances – they just didn’t convert them.
In two home games, they completely covered the opposition (mainly the Rangers front line), with an advantage in shots (40-20), chances (19-10), dangerous chances (11-2) and expected goals. (71.5%), but mostly because of the dominance in the third game. Although they didn’t score a goal, they kept Rangers’ most dangerous link as far away from the Lightning net as possible – if you don’t want to play defense, dominate attack.
With the series returning to New York, you can make sure Gerard Gallan keeps Mika Zibanajad, Chris Kreider and Frank Vatrano as far away from that opposing tie as the Rangers will already be using the tie. In Game 2, Cirelli & Co spent most of their playing time 5-on-5 against second row Artemy Panarin, Andrew Kopp and Ryan Strome. Whatever shape the Rangers second line takes in Game 5, it will likely be their target again. Does it matter that Cirelli, Killorn and Hagel close them? Yes, but at some point they have to turn those scoring chances (just 24 in three games) into actual goals.
“New York” is currently trying to manage its lines. Strome was offside in Game 4 and Filip Chytil left the game early. Barclay Goodrow played, but not 100%. Kevin Rooney took Strome’s place in the lineup and played just 9:07 down the fourth line. He has done his job, but he is nowhere near Strome’s level.
Game 3 was essential for the Lightning to stop the negative momentum. The fifth game will be decisive for them to continue in the same spirit. Yes, Tampa is the only team to beat New York in Game 7 of the playoffs, but if they can prevent it by winning Game 5, it will be a much better path to the Stanley Cup Finals.
Hockey. NHL. Eastern Conference. The final. The fifth game Rangers – Tampa Bay. Direct
Source: Sport
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.
