Eastern Conference finals preview: Lightning vs Rangers

The New York Rangers and the Tampa Bay Lightning have both advanced to face each other in the Eastern Conference Finals.

It wasn’t easy for either team, but the New York Rangers and the Tampa Bay Lightning have made it to the Eastern Conference Finals. The Lightning (4-2) were able to avenge themselves in their series against the Canadiens, the team that eliminated them in the playoffs last season. Now Tampa Bay is headed to the conference finals for only the third time in franchise history. The Rangers (4-3) found their series against the Capitals to be a tougher battle than most expected. Washington took a 3-1 lead in the series but New York came back and won four straight to take the series in Game 7.

The Lightning and the Rangers only met three times during the regular season and Tampa Bay came out victorious each time. They are two fast teams who are both excelling on special teams this postseason. Of the four teams remaining, the Rangers are the best in terms of penalty killing. The Lightning really shined with the 5-on-4 advantage against the Canadiens; they picked up seven power-play goals on 20 chances. Where they differ most, is their defensive play.

There is a reason the Rangers led the league in points to pick up the President’s Trophy; they’re a talented team all around. They have big name scorers, veteran leadership, a strong goalie, and speed that benefits their defense as much as their offense. Martin St. Louis will take a special interest in this series considering he left Tampa Bay rather bitter last season after general manager Steve Yzerman left him off Team Canada’s original roster.

As for the Lightning, they have two former Rangers that will be up against their former teammates after playing with them in the Stanley Cup Finals last season. Brian Boyle and Anton Stralman left New York last summer when the team couldn’t afford them. The Lightning are incredibly talented up front with a strong leader in Steven Stamkos. He was having a scoring drought until Game 2 against Montreal; he went on to score three goals in that series. The Rangers may have a stronger defense, but Tampa Bay just got past Carey Price, I’m sure Henrik Lundqvist doesn’t scare them.

PLAYERS TO LOOK FOR:

New York’s Derick Brassard has been putting up numbers for his team this postseason. So far he has eight points, five goals, and three assists. He is big body on the ice and a important piece of his teams power-play unit. Brassards consistency will be a huge contributing factor to the Rangers’ success.

Tampa Bay’s goalie Ben Bishop has been making a name for himself among all these talented goalies. So far this postseason, he has a 1.81 goals against average, a .931 save percentage, and is apart of a three way tie for first in wins with eight.

INJURIES:

Rangers’ Mats Zuccarello has been out since Game 5 against the Penguins with an upper body injury. He’s just starting to work out again. Dan Boyle is feeling better after a big hit by Brooks Orpik in Game 7 against the Capitals.

Lightnings’ Ryan Callahan skated on Thursday after having an appendectomy on Monday.

PREDICTION:

As great as the Lightning have been doing, I think the Rangers are on a whole different level than the Canadiens or the Red Wings, which means their biggest challenge yet. Keeping New York at bay on all levels will prove difficult for Tampa Bay, so I’m taking Rangers in 6.

SCHEDULE:

GAME 1: May 16, New York vs. Tampa Bay 1:00ET/12:00CT NBC

GAME 2: May 18, New York vs. Tampa Bay 8:00ET/7:00CT NBCSN

GAME 3: May 20, New York @ Tampa Bay 8:00ET/7:00CT NBCSN

GAME 4: May 22, New York @ Tampa Bay 8:00ET/7:00CT NBCSN

IF GAME 5: May 24, New York vs. Tampa Bay 8:00ET/7:00CT NBCSN

IF GAME 6: May 26, New York @ Tampa Bay 8:00ET/7:00CT NBCSN

IF GAME 7: May 29, New York vs. Tampa Bay 8:00ET/7:00CT NBCSN

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