9
0
Lightning even the series and fully tilt momentum in their favor.
NYR-1
TB-4
Series Tied 2-2
Andrei Vasilevskiy allowed one goal on 35 shots for the victory. The Lightning played really well in front of him, but full marks to Andrei for making sure he didn’t give New York any oxygen to build off of in garbage time. He deserved better from Alex Killorn with that foolish offensive zone penalty that ultimately cost Vasilevskiy the clean sheet.
First Period
2:38 TB Maroon (3), (Bogosian, Bellemare)
Second Period
13:07 TB Kucherov (7), (Palat, Rutta)
Third Period
4:56 TB Stamkos (7), (Palat, Rutta)
16:27 NYR Panarin (6), (unassisted)(PP)
19:51 TB Palat (7), (unassisted)(EN)
Vasilevskiy, Ondrej Palat, and Jan Rutta were the game’s three stars.
I kind of felt this game was over before it started when Greg Wyshynski reported that the Rangers were already indicating they were comfortable going home at 2-2 before the game. That’s loser talk from a team counting on the mystique of their building to try to get them over the finish line in this series. And, far be it from me to point out the flaw in that strategy, but I wouldn’t be putting all my eggs in the basket of an arena, MSG, that has only seen the Rangers win one title in 54 years. Just saying.
The Lightning came out and dominated possession early to stake themselves to the 1-0 lead. They had a handful of odd man rushes they didn’t capitalize on that could’ve had them out to a bigger lead, but fortunately they weren’t made to pay for failing to cash those tickets in. They’ll probably need to cash one or two of those opportunities if they come in Game Five in MSG to steal the win up in New York. The Second Period was a frame where the Lightning locked down defensively. They didn’t have enough shot volume or zone time, but it was ultimately irrelevant because the Rangers’ possession was all on the perimeter, empty calorie shot attempts. It was very reminiscent of the series against Sunrise at times, up to and including the Kucherov breakaway goal against the run of play. They got on their horse’s again on the forecheck early in the Third Period and manufactured the Stamkos rebound goal, and that was all she wrote.
Key stat of the night: the Lightning didn’t give a full power play to New York until garbage time in the Third Period. The Rangers always have a puncher’s chance because of goaltending and their power play, but if you don’t give them power plays they can’t manufacture enough offense at 5v5 to win games. It feels like the Lightning have the recipe now and it feels like they’re almost dialed up to the level they were at during that six game run between the Toronto and Sunrise series. I expect a push from the Rangers at MSG in the first 30-40 minutes of that game, but the Lightning have demonstrated a freakish ability to absorb pressure in a hostile road setting and then ruthlessly steal a needed win. If the Rangers fans don’t believe the Lightning can choke the life out of a team from New York in their dump of a barn, they can ask the Islanders fans about last season’s ECF.
I think the Lightning are exactly where they want to be, growing into their game again at exactly the right time. I also think the Rangers are still capable of stealing a game even though injuries and fatigue are catching up to them with Strome unable to go tonight and Chytil leaving the game after an innocuous hit from Hedman. They’re wearing down as Tampa Bay continues to get stronger and sharper. So, there’s still work to be done, but if the Lightning continue to manage the puck well and stay out of the box and do take Game Five, I think we could see a young New York team fold up pretty soon here.
Box score and extended statistics from NHL.com.
