• HOME
  • NHL Teams
    • North Division
      • Calgary Flames
      • Edmonton Oilers
      • Montreal Canadiens
      • Ottawa Senators
      • Toronto Maple Leafs
      • Vancouver Canucks
      • Winnipeg Jets
    • East Division
      • Boston Bruins
      • Buffalo Sabres
      • New Jersey Devils
      • New York Islanders
      • New York Rangers
      • Philadelphia Flyers
      • Pittsburgh Penguins
      • Washington Capitals
    • Central Division
      • Carolina Hurricanes
      • Chicago Blackhawks
      • Columbus Blue Jackets
      • Dallas Stars
      • Detroit Red Wings
      • Florida Panthers
      • Nashville Predators
      • Tampa Bay Lightning
    • West Division
      • Anaheim Ducks
      • Arizona Coyotes
      • Colorado Avalanche
      • Los Angeles Kings
      • Minnesota Wild
      • San Jose Sharks
      • Seattle Kraken
      • St. Louis Blues
      • Vegas Golden Knights
  • Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • NHL Prospects
  • World Juniors
  • Archives
  • Podcast Network
  • More…
    • CHL
      • Ontario Hockey League
      • Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
      • Western Hockey League
    • Columns
    • Women’s Hockey
    • Other Leagues
    • NHL Entry Draft
    • Books
    • NHL History
  • Log in
The Hockey Writers
  • Site Index
  • NHL Salary Caps
  • Hockey 101: A Beginner’s Guide
  • Join Our Team
  • Free Newsletter
  • Store
  • Log in
The Hockey Writers
  • HOME
  • NHL Teams
    • North Division
      • Calgary Flames
      • Edmonton Oilers
      • Montreal Canadiens
      • Ottawa Senators
      • Toronto Maple Leafs
      • Vancouver Canucks
      • Winnipeg Jets
    • East Division
      • Boston Bruins
      • Buffalo Sabres
      • New Jersey Devils
      • New York Islanders
      • New York Rangers
      • Philadelphia Flyers
      • Pittsburgh Penguins
      • Washington Capitals
    • Central Division
      • Carolina Hurricanes
      • Chicago Blackhawks
      • Columbus Blue Jackets
      • Dallas Stars
      • Detroit Red Wings
      • Florida Panthers
      • Nashville Predators
      • Tampa Bay Lightning
    • West Division
      • Anaheim Ducks
      • Arizona Coyotes
      • Colorado Avalanche
      • Los Angeles Kings
      • Minnesota Wild
      • San Jose Sharks
      • Seattle Kraken
      • St. Louis Blues
      • Vegas Golden Knights
  • Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • NHL Prospects
  • World Juniors
  • Archives
  • Podcast Network
  • More…
    • CHL
      • Ontario Hockey League
      • Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
      • Western Hockey League
    • Columns
    • Women’s Hockey
    • Other Leagues
    • NHL Entry Draft
    • Books
    • NHL History
Home
Tampa Bay Lightning

Will Youth Top Experience Tonight in Tampa?

By Brian Sklar May 26th, 2015

Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp

The New York Rangers are usually at their best when facing elimination. Last round they became the first team in NHL history to overcome a 3-1 series deficit in consecutive playoffs. Tonight they face their toughest test yet. The Rangers are down 3-2 to the young, energetic, and hungry for a chance at the Cup Tampa Bay Lightning.

The Lightning, although one of the league’s youngest teams, have grown together this playoff run. The Lightning are no strangers to adversity as well, having faced a 3-2 series deficit to the Detroit Red Wings in Round 1 and won the series in 7. The Rangers won Game 6 on the road in their previous series against the Washington Capitals.

It was Chris Kreider who set the tone and paced the team with two goals in the first period. The Rangers held on and won that game 4-3 before getting the series back to Madison Square Garden for Game 7, where the team is so comfortable and unbeatable in Game 7’s on home ice. Can they do it again tonight?

Henrik Lundqvist, New York Rangers, NHL, Hockey, Milestones

Nobody wants to win more than Henrik Lundqvist (Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports)

This Series Comes Back to Broadway If

The Rangers will return to home ice for yet another Game 7 if they can play better team defense tonight and get scoring from the players that are supposed to score. This is the time for Rick Nash to step up and lead the team. In his 3rd playoff with the Rangers, Nash is yet again struggling to score consistently.

Former Tampa Bay Lightning Martin St. Louis needs to realize this could be his last chance at a Stanley Cup Championship. St. Louis needs to step up tonight and what more motivation does he need than to force a game 7 against his former team in the Eastern Conference Final.

The Rangers are 14-3 in games when they face elimination since the 2012 ECQF and 8-1 in such games in six playoff rounds under Vigneault.

— Dan Rosen (@drosennhl) May 26, 2015

The Rangers most consistent line in these playoffs has been Derek Stepan, Chris Kreider, and rookie Jesper Fast. They also need to show up big time tonight, and especially if the Lightning find themselves early offensively.However, the defense has to be the most important ingredient for the team.

Derek Stepan [photo: Amy Irvin]

Stepan has been the Rangers most clutch skater this playoffs. He needs to come up big again tonight. [photo: Amy Irvin]

Henrik Lundqvist can only do so much in goal. Sometimes a goalie, even a world-class goalie, is only as good as the defense in front of him. That falls on captain Ryan McDonagh, Dan Girardi, Marc Staal, Kevin Klein, Keith Yandle, and Dan Boyle to play like the top overall defense in the National Hockey League. The Rangers defense in the playoffs is second in the NHL in points from the blueline with 36. Only the Anaheim Ducks defense (42) has more. Although the Rangers must score, tonight starts and ends with if the Rangers defense can stop Steven Stamkos and The Triplets Line.

The Lightning Will Clinch The Eastern Conference Tonight If

The Lightning need to keep the same intensity they brought to Madison Square Garden in Game 5. The Lightning appeared to be the team that was more desperate and willing to sacrifice the body in game 5 when they blocked a ton of shots.

TBL's 24 blocks in Gm5 were 10 more than their per game avg thru 4 ECF games. NYR's 58 total SAT were 2 more than their per game avg in ECF.

— Dan Rosen (@drosennhl) May 25, 2015

The team seemed to have more urgency defensively to limit scoring opportunities as well. The team must play fast, play with a purpose from the drop of the puck, and try to put the Rangers on their heels early. If the Lightning can turn this game into a special teams battle, than they will be going to the Stanley Cup Final.

The speed of the team and quick puck movement has made it tough at times in this series for the Rangers to stay out of the penalty box consistently. The Tampa top two lines have been red hot as of late with Valtteri Filppula centering Steven Stamkos and Alex Killorn followed by The Triplets.

(Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports)

Braydon Coburn was acquired at the trade deadline this season for games like this. Look for Coburn to step up tonight on the Tampa defense with his physical play and steady defense.(Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports)

The leadership of Ryan Callahan and Brian Boyle will be counted upon tonight big time if the two are going to end the season for their former team. Also Victor Hedman and Anton Stralman have to outplay McDonagh and Girardi on the other end. Victor Hedman has been the best defenseman in this series and he will be a big factor on the defensive and offensive sides of the puck tonight.

Hedman on the key to a win tonight: "We have to protect our own end first of all, and we did a good job of that last game.” #TBLightning

— Bryan Burns (@BBurnsNHL) May 26, 2015

Ben Bishop will look to get all the way to the Stanley Cup Final in only his second full season as a starter, and first Stanley Cup Playoff.

  • Tags
  • Derek Stepan
  • Ryan McDonagh
  • Steven Stamkos
  • Victor Hedman
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp

Get theScore App Now!
Recent Posts
Jan 26th 11:25 AM
NHL Goaltending

Wild’s Backup Goaltender Kahkonen Stands Tall

Jan 26th 11:15 AM
Los Angeles Kings

Kings’ Kopitar’s Red Hot Start to the 2020-21 Season

Jan 26th 11:05 AM
Edmonton Oilers

Oilers Need Breakout Seasons From Younger Core to Be Successful

Jan 26th 10:55 AM
Colorado Avalanche

Avalanche’s Byram Already Making a Case to Stay in the Lineup

Jan 26th 10:45 AM
Nashville Predators

Predators Need to Re-Examine Line Combinations

Jan 26th 10:35 AM
Previews and Predictions

Jets’ Projected Forward Lines With Dubois

Jan 26th 10:25 AM
Dallas Stars

4 Takeaways From Stars’ Opening Weekend Games Versus Predators

Jan 26th 10:15 AM
Tampa Bay Lightning

Anthony Cirelli to Be Lightning’s Biggest X Factor in 2020-21

Jan 26th 10:05 AM
Montreal Canadiens

Montréal Canadiens Need to Work on Discipline

Jan 26th 9:55 AM
Advanced Stats

Devils News & Notes: Strong Start to 2020-21 Continues

Editor’s Picks
Test Your Wayne Gretzky Knowledge With Our Quiz

Test Your Wayne Gretzky Knowledge With Our Quiz

2021 NHL Draft Rankings: Baracchini's Top 75 Rankings

2021 NHL Draft Rankings: Baracchini's Top 75 Rankings

Masthead

Newsletters

RSS Feeds

Privacy Statement

Contact Us

About THW…

Founded in 2009, The Hockey Writers is a premier destination for news and information on everything hockey. Updated daily with news and features from over 130 writers worldwide. Over 2 million monthly readers now come to THW for their hockey fix.

© The Hockey Writers 2020. All rights reserved.
logo
  • HOME
  • Hockey Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • North Division
    • Calgary Flames
    • Edmonton Oilers
    • Montreal Canadiens
    • Ottawa Senators
    • Toronto Maple Leafs
    • Vancouver Canucks
    • Winnipeg Jets
  • East Division
    • Boston Bruins
    • Buffalo Sabres
    • New Jersey Devils
    • New York Islanders
    • New York Rangers
    • Philadelphia Flyers
    • Pittsburgh Penguins
    • Washington Capitals
  • Central Division
    • Carolina Hurricanes
    • Chicago Blackhawks
    • Columbus Blue Jackets
    • Dallas Stars
    • Detroit Red Wings
    • Florida Panthers
    • Nashville Predators
    • Tampa Bay Lightning
  • West Division
    • Anaheim Ducks
    • Arizona Coyotes
    • Colorado Avalanche
    • Los Angeles Kings
    • Minnesota Wild
    • San Jose Sharks
    • Seattle Kraken
    • St Louis Blues
    • Vegas Golden Knights
  • World Juniors
  • CHL
    • Ontario Hockey League
    • Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
    • Western Hockey League
  • THW Podcast Network
  • Store
  • FREE Newsletter
  • Search THW
  • More…
    • Join Our Team
    • The THW Archives
    • Prospects
    • The Goalie Page
    • NHL Salary Cap Information