2
0
Vasiy’s better.
TB-5
NYR-1
Andrei Vasilevskiy allowed one goal on 40 shots for the victory and just about single handedly dirt-napped what little playoff hopes the Rangers had left.
First Period
13:09 TB Kucherov (34), (Point, Guentzel)(PP)
13:45 TB Gourde (7), (Goncalves, Hedman)
14:54 TB Point (40), (Guentzel, Kucherov)(PP)
Second Period
3:16 NYR Zibanejad (17), (Panarin, Miller)(PP)
Third Period
15:40 TB Point (41), (Guentzel, Kucherov)(PP)
17:18 TB Hagel (35), (McDonagh)
Vasilevskiy, Brayden Point, and Nikita Kucherov were the game’s three stars.
The Lightning, largely on the strength of their power play, staked Vasilevskiy to a three goal lead and he did the rest. That’s essentially the formula the Lightning used to dispatch an absolutely desperate Rangers team. It was also great to see Yanni Gourde pot his first goal since the trade back. He’s gotten a ton of assists since the deal and at this point the Lightning fans clamoring for better third line play can’t say with a straight face they’re not getting it. Still, like a shooter in basketball who just needs to see the ball go through the hoop once to break a cold streak, hopefully that gets Yanni going. I legitimately thought there were parts of the First Period where he looked like the best player on the ice.
The Lightning now get a mammoth tilt with the Leafs at home. Win that one and we can entertain dreams of winning the division again.
Box score and extended statistics from NHL.com.
