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Rangers look to take 2-0 series lead at home tonight vs. Lightning |
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The Rangers aim to take a 2-0 series lead tonight at MSG. Off a 6-2 Game 1 win, New Tork has a chance to build on the first series lead they have had these playoffs. Tampa has some history on their side as they try and even the series at one. Game 3 is at Amalie Arena at 3PM on Sunday
New York will have their hands full. Tampa is a proud organization.coming off back-to-back Stanley Cups and a series sweep of Florida. That last win extended the Lightning's series win streak to ten. Even more impressive, the Lightning are 17-0 in that span in games following a loss. That number evidences intestinal and mental fortitude, the ability to bounce back, and a desire and willingness to do what it takes to win.
I wrote yesterday that I thought the Rangers weren't great defensively in Game 1. In the first period, New York did a lot of stick checking as opposed to being in the right place positionally. In what has become the norm, for each of the last three games, the Blueshirts allowed 39 shots on goal with Igor Shesterkin stopping 37, also for the third consecutive contest. Tampa Bay had several quality high-danger chances that were stoned by Igor or just missed by the Lightning, which might be partially due to rust after being off for eight days.
The Rangers will need to take away some of the Lightning’s speed through the neutral zone. In addition, New York has to be a bit more stout in their own zone, as Tampa Bay did a nice job cycling the puck, creating chances. and space If the Lightning continue to pinch as they did, counter attack chances, as we saw on Chirs Kreider's and Artmei Panarin's goal, should be available.
The Lightning lines at practice Thursday had a few changes. Brandon Hagel may have just had a maintenance day, why he was off the third line. If he is out, Cole Koepke might dress. Riley Nash, a healthy scratch in Game 1, skated on the third line with Corey Perry sliding down to the fourth line. Jan Rutta, who played with TB going 11/7, looks to be the odd man out.
Brayden Point, who was all but "ruled out" by coach Jon Cooper, skated for the second straight day. I take that "out" declaration with a major grain of salt as do most of you. Point playing in this series would not be a shock at all. If Tampa loses Game 2, not seeing him in Game 3 would be more of a surprise to me than if he did play.
Stamkos-Cirelli-Kucherov
Palat-Paul-Killorn
Koepke-Colton-Nash
Maroon-Bellemare-Perry
Hedman-Cernak
McDonagh-Bogosian
Sergachev-Foote
Claesson-Rutta
Jack Adams Voting - Gerard Gallant finished third behind Darryl Sutter and Andrew Brunette. I was a bit surprised as to how far behind first and second Gallant finished, as I expected the voting to be closer. But still a brilliant season by the team's coach in his first year in New York.
(As a reminder, I am out of pocket from tonight to Monday night. If New York loses, the rhetoric will be how this is real TB and NY got lucky in Game 1. If the Rangers win, don't count the money. Remember, New York lost Games 1 and 2 in Carolina, then came home to win Games 3 and 4. In this scenario, Tampa will have lost Games 1 and 2 on the road and would be going back home, same story. I will be back again Monday night or Tuesday am after Game 3 and prior to Game 4)
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