In an enrapturing, vigorous, impetus Eastern Conference finals, the vibrant New York Rangers had appeared to strike Lightning in a bottle leading the two-time defending Stanley Cup champions out of Tampa Bay(AKA Champa Bay) 2-0 in the series, which was a triumph amongst itself since the Bolts hadn’t lost two straight playoff games in 10 straight playoff series dating back to the start of their run. There was that moment in time where it seemed possible that the underdog would have its day , and that the previously inexperienced Bluehshirts could upend one of the greatest teams in hockey history. But Lightning struck back, and did it with a thunder so palpable, it resonated the hearts of a group on a mission not just to defy hockey history, but modern sports history as we know it. Tampa rallied with four straight hard-fought victories, outlasting New York in each one to advance to their third straight cup final, where their hopes for a 3-peat hinge on the task of overcoming the formidable Western foe that lies in the Colorado Avalanche(Who i broke down last week in my previous hockey article); a series that begins Wednesday night at Ball arena in Denver.
However, this conference final won’t soon go offsides (pun intended) on us hockey fans, so in order to show gratitude for that enthralling series, it’s time to dive into each game, and take a check into the boards; a reminder of how we scored before the final horn.
GAME 1:
The Rangers started the scoring in the opening minute of play with Chris Kreider being the one that sent MSG into an early frenzy. However, later in the first Steven Stamkos ripped a shot home to even the contest at a goal apiece, where the score would stay after one. In the second, two straight goals from an unlikely source in Filip Chytil regained the lead for New York, which was one they would never relinquish. Artemi Panarin scored off a turnover 30 seconds into the third, and Mika Zibanejad added a power play goal to polish off a resounding 6-2 Rangers victory to the delight of a raucous MSG crowd. In the first playoff meeting between the two best goalies in the world in Andrei Vaselevskiy of the Lightning, and Igor Shesterkin of the Rangers, Igor outplayed his fellow Russian with a third straight 37 save performance on 39 shots, while vassy allowed six past him.
GAME 2:
The “17-0” record Tampa Bay possessed over the last three postseasons following a loss was all anyone could talk about headed into the second tilt of this encounter, and it appeared to be headed in that direction again when Nikita Kucherov sniped an early power play gaol home to give the Bolts the early 1-0 lead. After some pushback by the Rangers, Keandre Miller followed up his own shot, and scored to get his team on the board. Towards the end of the first stanza, Adam Fox slid a gorgeous pass to the slot which was redirected in by Kappo Kakko for New york’s first lead of the game. It wasn’t the ”runaway train” like in game one which perhaps was due in large part to the nine day layoff Tampa Bay had after sweeping Florida, and the routine of playing every other day instilled in the Rangers after two seven game series, but the vibrant Blueshirts proved they weren’t just happy to be here, but believed they could make history. As the last eight minutes wound down , Tampa gave us a preview of was to come in their own building, as they were ruthless in their checks, relentless in their valliant shots towards the net at Igor Shesterkin, and forbearing in puck possession which wore down the defensive thrusts of New York. It was the formula that required persistence, yet proved reputable with them having won the past two cups. When deadline acquisition Nick Paul put the puck around an exasperated Igor, who made 29 saves in this one propelling New York yet again , to slice the deficy to 3-2 with 1:24 left, there was a sense that the Bolts had not only woken up looking to win this game, but wrestle back control of the series. New York took game two 3-2, but the job was only halfway done, and as it turned out, no more progress would be made on that project.
GAME 3:
The intensity, physicality and vigorous goaltending that defines the Stanley Cup playoffs conferred itself when the series shifted back to Tampa bay, as would need to be on the man advantage to essentially put a puck past the two paramount netminders. The Rangers did the trick first, as Mika Zibanejad and Chris Kreider netted power play tally’s to give New York a 2-0 lead, but Tampa responded with two emienceing goals of their own to even the score. However, even with the lead on the scoreboard, the Blueshirts weren;’t hounding, pounding and confounding the champs, for Tampa controlled the puck as well as the shot count from start to finish, accelerating past the defense with their speed, adroitness, and symmetry towards Igor Shesterkin. As mentioned above, the exclusive path to beating the goalies was not when it was even strength hockey, and the Bolts responded with two emienceing goals of their own to even the score. The overt consensus was whoever would score the elusive 5V5 goal would win the contest, and on their 52nd shot Ondre Palat put home the winner with 41.6 seconds remaining, and it created an opening through the backdoor that the Lightning wouldn’t giveaway for the remainder of this series. Once again, the champs were alive and kicking.
GAME 4:
Tampa smelled blood in the water, and routed the Rangers 4-1. Igor kept New York in the thing, but Tampa had this game from the opening puck drop and never looked back after the early goal scored by a man going for his fourth straight cup(Won in 2019 with the Blues) in Pat Maroon. Meanwhile, Vassy was sharp in net with 34 saves.
GAME 5:
It was the quintessential equivalent of what a pivotal game five should lament itself to be. Low-scoring, physical, and one that starts from the trenches, forcing you to “earn” your scoring opportunities. The match was evenly played in practically every statistical category, with both goaltenders once again stealing the spotlight and making 24 saves apiece. As one of the contingents in attendance, I can tell you the MSG crowd was boisterous throughout the night, basically willing the team to victory, invigorating the youngsters to stay in the fight with the two-time reigning champions. Unfortunately 110 seconds away from overtime, Ondre Palat deflected home a shot from Mikhail Sergachev to put Tampa Bay ahead for good, before Brandon Hagel’s empty netter completed the Bolts third straight win at 3-1 in game five , first one for a road team in the series making me feel as if i was walking out of the Garden for the final time this season, and it was.
GAME 6:
Tampa Bay played the “grind you out” tenacious hockey that has followed them for the past two seasons, and dominated the clincher at home. Once again Shesterkin dazzled with inhumane saves as the presumptive Vezina winner that he is, but it was Steven Stamkos who got the last word with two goals, the second of which coming 21 seconds after Frank Vatrano gave the Rangers a pulse with a power play goal that tied the game at one momentarily. The final 6:32 following the Stamkos eventual winner featured clinical defense by Tampa, and a few monstrous saves by Andrei Vaselevskiy, who’s goddy career resume continues with the reigning Conn Smythe winner on his way to his third straight final. But the most glaring stat of this series was perhaps the 5V5 play of the Lightning, who outscored the Rangers 8-1 over the latter four games of the series. The battle between the two best goalies in the world eclipsed the staggering expectations as both evened out in goals allowed(14), with Shesterkin having the higher workload. For the vibrant Rangers, it was a magical season filled with an abundance of comeback wins, numerous “stolen wins” by Igor Shesterkin, a remarkable 52 goal season by veteran Chris Kreider, and went 5-1 in elimination games; defeating the Pittsburgh Penguins, and division winning Carolina Hurricanes in the process. “The Rangers will be sitting here again in the near future”,said Lightning coach Jon Cooper,”It’s incredible what coach Gerard Gallant(Jack Adams finalist, as well as GM of the year nominee Chris Dury) has done with them.”
Meanwhile, the Bolts have now won 11 straight series and are four wins away from becoming the first team to three-peat(Which would be their fourth cup since 2004) since the Islanders four-peated from 1980-1983, and fell three wins shy of a fifth in 1984.
So we’ve now reached a captivating final between the Colorado Avalanche and the Tampa Bay Lightning which could go either way for me since you have the hungry Avs who’ve been the best in the West all year with a host of marquee players looking to start a legacy against a team looking to cement a dynasty.
I got Bolts in 7.
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