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NHL Playoffs: Rangers striking Lighting early (Video)

By Will Osgood

Mar 22, 2015; New York, NY, USA; New York Rangers center J.T. Miller (10) is congratulated by center Derick Brassard (16) after scoring a goal against the Anaheim Ducks during the second period at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 22, 2015; New York, NY, USA; New York Rangers center J.T. Miller (10) is congratulated by center Derick Brassard (16) after scoring a goal against the Anaheim Ducks during the second period at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports /
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With the New York Rangers facing a 3-2 series deficit in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals, veteran Derek Brassard got his team off to the start it needed to avoid elimination. 

After reaching the Stanley Cup Finals, for the first time since 1994, one year ago, the New York Rangers are desperate to get back and take aim at finishing what they couldn’t quite last year.

But their opponents in this year’s Eastern Conference Finals have pushed the pedal to the metal, literally racing past the average-speed Rangers with a litter of quick-twitched skaters and fancy goal scorers. And the mostly veteran Rangers have at times been just a step slow.

Less than four minutes into Game 6, the Rangers used a bevy of pressure off an offensive zone face-off to strike first. The goal was scored by none other than Derek Brassard, the team’s leader in goals this postseason.

"Forehand, backhand, five hole. Derick Brassard has the @NYRangers ahead early. #NYRvsTBL#StanleyCuphttp://t.co/Vu0aFNl2XJ— NHL (@NHL) May 27, 2015"

As ESPN Stats & Info notes, Brassard is actually tied with teammate Chris Kreider–who has had a number of key goals this postseason.

J.T. Miller added his first goal of the series with four and a half minutes to play in the first period to make it 2-0. But the Lightning struck back soon after, in much the same way they’ve done all series–by using their speed advantage, hitting a long pass on a power play for a breakaway goal.

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