The Rangers are in the Eastern Conference Finals for the third time in fourth years. Tampa Bay is in their first since 2011. The mantra this postseason for the Rangers has been #changetheending; get back to the Cup finals and win it this year. But first, they need to clear the last hurdle before reaching the SCF, defeating the Lightning.
"Never Say Die" | 2015 New York Rangers 2nd Round
metrangerfan71
NY Rangers Fan
Lineups:
New York:
Nash-Brassard-MSL Kreider-Stepan-Fast Hagelin-Moore-Hayes Glass-Sheppard-Miller
McDonagh-Girardi Staal-Boyle Yandle-Klein
Lundqvist
Tampa Bay:
Stamkos-Fippula-Killorn Kucherov-Johnson-Palat Callahan-Boyle-Paquette Morrow-Marchessault-Brown
Stralman-Hedman Coburn-Garrison Sustr-Carle
Bishop
Forwards:
New York has had issues scoring a good part of the postseason but have just enough to get to this stage. On paper, they have solid depth, which may be augmented if Mats Zuccarello - out after getting hit in the head by a Ryan McDonagh slapshot in Game 5 against Pittsburgh two weeks ago - returns to the lineup. That possible return is based on reading between the lines and tea leaves as to comments made by AV and his teammates the last several days. If he does play, which to me is somewhat likely for Game 3, look for him to be on the top line, MSL to the third line, Moore to center the fourth line and Sheppard to the bench.
If Zucc does not play, the lines written above still may change. MSL has failed to score in all 12 games so far this postseason. He has struggled to generate any semblance of a consistent offense and was benched in the third period of Game 7 versus Washington. Miller, who was moved up to the top line, could end up there again with MSL on the fourth line.
Brassard has had a big playoffs while Kreider has once again raised his game in the postseason. His size and speed will be difficult for Tampa to handle. Stepan had the game-winner Wednesday and also had assists in both goals in Game 5, showing that he too can up his game in the big moment. The unsung heroes have been Miller and Fast, each of whom have done the little things while contributing offensively. The current third line is able to drive possession, so it will be hard to break up. Look for Hagelin to use his speed to create chances.
While Stamkos gets most of the publicity, it's the second line that drives Tampa. The Triplets have combined for 17 goals and 14 assists so far this postseason. Kucherov has eight goals this postseason while Johnson had six against Montreal, including the game winner with 1.1 seconds in Game 3. Palat gets lost a bit in the shuffle, but he also contributes offensively.
Stamkos struggled early on but woke up as the Montreal series wore on, notching points the last five games. He now has three goals and seven assists and will be a major challenge for whichever pair is matched against him. Cally could play on this line, but Alex Killorn has fit in nicely on that line with three goals and six assists. Filppula had a disappointing season but has thrived centering Stamkos, who moved to wing to accommodate the switch.
Cally, presuming he plays after missing Game 6 due to an appendectomy, likely will slot on the third line. It will be interesting to see the MSG reaction, though I expect him to be booed heavily. Paquette and Boyle could play either on the third or fourth line, depending on of Namestnikov, who sat the last two games against Montreal, or Drouin, who interestingly did not play in Game 6 with Cally out, sitting for Marchessault, gets in the lineup.
Defense
The heart and soul of the Blueshirts. They met the challenge of facing Crosby and Malkin and the Ovechkin and Backstrom. It's no rest for the weary, as they now have another sturdy challenge against Stamkos, the Triplets etc.
McDonagh has raised his game this postseason, scoring the overtime goal in Game 5 while matched up against the opponents top line. His partner in crime, Girardi, seems to get more love for non-Rangers fans than his own team's fanbase but he is as steady as they come. He plays big minutes, blocks shots and has shown more of a willingness to pinch to help the offense. Staal has been paired with Boyle and Klein and has morphed into more of a defensive specialist. His long reach may be a key against the Lightning forwards.
Boyle may be questionable for at least the start of the series, though he reportedly said Thursday said he was feeling better. If he does play, he will line up either on the second or third line and make every Rangers fan worry when he is out there, as his speed and decision making have been questionable these playoffs. Klein still hasn't fully settled in after being out from March 11 to the end of the season due to a broken left arm. Hopefully, the rust is off and he can settle back in to playing as he did the first half of the year. Yandle is still finding his way. The offensive talent is there and we have seen snippets of it but the full package has yet to be on display. If Boyle doesn't play, Matt Hunwick, who filled in so well for Klein while he was out, will be in.
A major improvement in Tampa has been on their defense. Stralman has slid nicely in opposite Hedman, who in my opinion is on his to becoming one of the elite defensemen in the league. Stralman's play in his own end allows Hedman to be even more offensive minded, taking his game to the next level.
Coburn came over around the deadline and has paired with Garrison, who has a big shot from the point. Coburn, who is a minus-six in the playoffs, is more than willing to use the body but struggled in the past against the Rangers. This may be a match up that New York looks to exploit with their speed through the neutral zone, especially at home with the last change.
Sustr was injured when the playoffs started but is now fully healthy, like Coburn. Carle has seen time on the top two lines in the last but has settled into a third line d-man. Tampa Bay can mix-and-match defensemen due to their depth, but overall New York may have an edge here.
Goaltending
What more can be said about Lundqvist that hasn't already been said. He thrives to be in the big moment and usually answers the call to succeed. Hank was the reason why New York rallied from 3-1 down against Washington. His mark in elimination games is well known, which is another reason why he draws the accolades he so deserves.
Lundqvist was matched step-for-step at times in the first two rounds but found a way to raise his game. He has a 1.60 GAA and .944 SV% but even more impressive is his focus in what has been 12 one-goal contests. Knowing your team is struggling to score and each contest will be low-scoring adds to the playoff pressure, yet he seems to find a new gear each night.
Bishop proved to a major steal for Tampa Bay coming over from Ottawa for Cory Conacher and a fourth-rounder. His injury just before the playoffs last year cost the Lightning a shot at what was expected to be a long run. Bishop has made up for that absence this year, posting a 1.81 GAA and .931 SV% in 13 games, so New York goes from facing two goalies who made life difficult, especially Holtby, to facing one possibly a notch above or at worse, equal.
Bishop has improved as the playoffs wore on, settling into the playoffs and coming up with big saves to keep Tampa in games they eventually won. His height makes it tough to screen him in front of the net while his puck-handling is something New York will be need to be cognizant of this series. Bishop at times is shaky with the glove, leaving rebounds, so the need to crash the net takes on even more importance. New York has never beaten Bishop, as he is 8-0 with a 1.49 GAA average, .946 SV and two shutouts against them, but despite that fine mark, I still think Lundqvist has a slight edge on him, especially on this big stage.
Special Teams
The Rangers power play has much of the time left a lot to be desired. Despite that, the Blueshirts came up with several big goals in the playoffs, winning the last five games in which they notched a PPG. Overall, they are just 6-for-38 on the man-advantage, but in Games 6 and 7, Kreider and Hayes had power play goals helping carry New York to wins.
The penalty kill is a different story. The Rangers allowed Pittsburgh two goals on 13 attempts with both goals coming in Game 2. After Ovechkin's howitzer steaming down the left wing in Game 1, the Rangers stopped the next 14 man-advantages for Washington, allowing just 21 shots, which was a huge key to the series. Overall. NY is 25-for-28 and their ability to create shorthanded chances is something to watch this series.
Tampa has converted on an 18% rate this playoffs but went 7-for-20 against Montreal after converted just 2-of-27 against Detroit. They can send out waves of forwards to play and succeed on the man-advantage, given all the talent they have up front. New York will need to limit their open space and clear the slot and front of the net, which is where Tampa had much of their success.
The Lightning held Montreal to just one goal in 16 power play chances after Detroit had success in round one. Look for Callahan, if healthy, and Boyle due to his long reach and capacity for blocking shots, to see lots of time when Tampa is shorthanded. The Rangers ability to convert in key moments even if not consistently will be something to watch.
For the lightning perspective, see Michael Stuart's blogs. His latest is http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog/Michael-Stuart/Lightning-vs-Rangers-Pre-Series-Thoughts/173/68669
Schedule:
SATURDAY, MAY 16, 2013 1:00 P.M. TAMPA BAY AT NY RANGERS NBCSN, CBC, TVA MONDAY, MAY 18, 2013 8:00 P.M. TAMPA BAY AT NY RANGERS NBCSN, CBC, TVA WEDNESDAY, MAY 20, 2013 8:00 P.M. NY RANGERS AT TAMPA BAY NBCSN, CBC, TVA FRIDAY, MAY 22, 2013 8:00 P.M. NY RANGERS AT TAMPA BAY NBCSN, CBC, TVA *SUNDAY, MAY 24, 2013 8:00 P.M TAMPA BAY AT NY RANGERS NBCSN, CBC, TVA *TUESDAY, MAY 26, 2013 8:00 P.M NY RANGERS AT TAMPA BAY NBCSN, CBC, TVA *FRIDAY, MAY 29, 2013 8:00 P.M TAMPA BAY AT NY RANGERS NBCSN, CBC, TVA
So the schedule again stinks for me, I am out Saturday for Game 1 as well as Friday for Game 4. Game 5 (if necessary) is on a Jewish holiday and Game 7 (if necessary) is also on a Friday. If anyone wants to blog after Game 4 and before Game 5, let me know, I will be back with a blog on Sunday.
Overall predictions:
Rangers in 7 – close series, with the Rangers winning in another seventh game. This match up was my prediction before the playoffs start and at least half my bracket is correct. Two evenly matched squads. It would be great if NY could win before seven games, but I don't see it.
Chicago in 7 – You could go either way as this series is extremely close. Anaheim has marched through the playoffs, dispatching of Winnipeg and Calgary in nine games. Chicago hasn't needed much more, defeating Nashville in 6 and sweeping Minnesota in 4. Both have elite top-line centers and wingers. The second lines have produced while each squad has receive solid defense. Anaheim has received steadier play between the pipes while Chicago has righted the ship after a rough start. i could see the Ducks advancing but this is a gut call leading to an Original Six Stanley Cup Finals.