Tyler Johnson’s hat trick sparks Lightning past listless Rangers 6-2

Posted on May 19, 2015 by Derek
Johnson Hat Trick: Tyler Johnson is mobbed by teammates after scoring a hat trick in the Lightning's 6-2 win over the Rangers in Game 2. AP Photo by Frank Franklin II/Getty Images

Johnson Hat Trick: Tyler Johnson is mobbed by teammates after scoring a hat trick in the Lightning’s 6-2 win over the Rangers in Game 2.
AP Photo by Frank Franklin II/Getty Images

The series is all even. In typical fashion, the Rangers did what they always do in home Game 2’s when leading one game to none. Rather than put their feet firmly on the Lightning, they let them up in a listless Game 2 dropping it in ugly fashion 6-2 at MSG.

Tyler Johnson was a one man highlight reel becoming the first Lightning in franchise history to record a hat trick. The leading Bolt dominated by scoring shorthanded, on the power play and at even strength. In fact, Johnson had accounted for all three of Tampa’s goals through two periods and six of their 15 shots as they held onto a 3-2 lead.

Thanks to some big stops from Ben Bishop including consecutive saves to deny Rick Nash and Jesper Fast shorthanded at the start of the third, Tampa was able to withstand a strong Rangers push. That came following a Derek Stepan power play goal in which the heady center stayed with it following his own shot by banking the puck off Braydon Coburn at 14:17 of the second to cut the Bolts’ lead to 3-2. Ironically, it was a undisciplined Stepan tripping minor at 1:02 of the third that forced the Rangers to kill off a penalty.

However, following Bishop’s biggest saves of the game including a pad denial on Fast on a shot he couldn’t elevate, the game turned when the Rangers were unable to clear the zone after Stepan’s penalty expired. Instead, the skilled Lightning worked the puck around to perfection with Victor Hedman brilliantly feeding a wide open Alex Killorn for a back breaking goal at 3:09 giving them some breathing room. Valtteri Filppula started it with a cross-ice pass to Hedman whose diagonal feed found Killorn all alone with Henrik Lundqvist out of position for an open side that he fired home.

The Rangers continued to try but a foolish Derick Brassard high-sticking minor on Nikita Kucherov basically dashed their comeback hopes. On the ensuing power play, Tampa Bay put it away when a Coburn left point shot was neatly redirected by Lightning captain Steven Stamkos making it 5-2 with 13:32 left. Kucherov notched a secondary helper collecting his third point (all assists).

Unlike Game 1 in which they prevailed 2-1 on a Dominic Moore deflection late, the Rangers got into the wrong kind of game against an opportunistic Lightning who took advantage of every Ranger mistake. The first period was so sloppy that the teams combined for seven penalties. Remarkably, consecutive penalties from Brian Boyle and Jason Garrison handed them a five-on-three. But an awful Martin St. Louis turnover on a Dan Boyle pass resulted in Johnson converting shorthanded from Killorn just as Brian Boyle’s penalty expired.

After failing on the first two power plays, the Rangers were able to cash in on their third try thanks to Chris Kreider, who followed up a St. Louis shot rebounding it past Bishop to draw even at 8:50. Dan Boyle started it and notched the secondary helper against his former team.

But neither team could stay away from the penalty box. That played into Tampa Bay who are much more dynamic at special teams. After Ryan Callahan took an even up penalty with Kreider already in the box, Stepan took an ill advised trip handing the Lightning a four-on-three man-advantage. On it, the gifted Johnson got to a Stamkos set up in front and absolutely whistled a perfect shot into the top corner over Lundqvist putting his team back ahead at 11:15. The kind of skill that makes one wonder how nobody drafted him. I always was a fan since he teamed with Stepan and Kreider on Team USA when they won gold at the World Junior Championship in 2010.

Tyler Johnson closes in for his third goal of the game with Henrik Lundqvist out of position. The goal counted due to Johnson getting his stick on the puck after Nikita Kucherov's kick. AP Photo by Julia Jacobson/Getty Images

Tyler Johnson closes in for his third goal of the game with Henrik Lundqvist out of position. The goal counted due to Johnson getting his stick on the puck after Nikita Kucherov’s kick.
AP Photo by Julia Jacobson/Getty Images

Another turning point came in the second when Marc Staal fell down at the left point allowing Johnson and his Triplets to come in three-on-two. Prior to the well executed odd-man rush, rookie Kevin Hayes had a great chance on a Rangers odd-man but passed up a shot on Bishop which resulted in a wasted opportunity. Sometimes, you have to be a little greedy. When Johnson and linemates Kucherov and Ondrej Palat came the other way, Kucherov set up Palat who hit the post with the shot. The puck caromed behind Lundqvist right to Kucherov and Johnson. Kucherov kicked the puck but Johnson got his stick on it to put it past the goal line for the hat trick. Due to Kucherov’s kick, they went upstairs to Toronto but video review confirmed that Johnson got it making it a good goal. That gave the Bolts a 3-1 lead.

How wild was the second? At one point, linesman Brad Kovachik was injured by the combo of Stamkos and Klein who collided with him against the boards causing a sprained knee. In obvious pain, he was helped off the ice. Greg Devorski was the standby replacement. Sadly, Kovachik is done for the playoffs.

Derek Stepan celebrates his power play goal which cut the deficit to 3-2 in the second period. But a bad penalty at the start of the third proved costly. AP Photo by Kathy Willens/Getty Images

Derek Stepan celebrates his power play goal which cut the deficit to 3-2 in the second period. But a bad penalty at the start of the third proved costly.
AP Photo by Kathy Willens/Getty Images

Despite trailing by two, the Rangers kept coming. They were controlling most of the play five-on-five with the exception of a ridiculously long shift from the Triplets. Moore drew an interference minor on Craig Paquette who complained about Moore embellishing it. On the power play, the Rangers wasted little time with Boyle and St. Louis setting up Stepan who was denied once by Bishop. But with Bishop down, he got to the loose puck behind the net and sent it off the back of Coburn’s leg for his third goal in three straight cutting the deficit to one with 5:43 left.

They came very close to tying it. On a strong shift from the fourth line, James Sheppard had a great chance with Bishop down but Anton Stralman prevented him from converting a backhand wraparound. If he’s not there, the game gets tied and who knows how it turns out. Despite allowing Johnson’s hat trick goal, the Rangers outshot the Lightning 11-6 in the period and led in shots 22-15. It didn’t matter due to their lack of discipline. Their sloppiness came back to burn them.

In the third, they kept taking penalties. Stepan’s second tripping minor gave the Lightning a power play. The Rangers nearly scored shorthanded but Bishop made the saves of the night first denying a Nash bid and then robbing Fast with the back of his pads leaving the rookie frustrated that he didn’t elevate it. If he scores there, it could’ve been a very different story. Instead, the Bolts kept the play alive after Stepan returned and Hedman set up Killorn’s first for 4-2.

Brassard’s second minor led to Stamkos’ power play tally on a ridiculous deflection of a Coburn shot from Kucherov making it 5-2 3:19 later. The Rangers got 15 shots on Bishop put he stopped them in their tracks and outplayed Lundqvist, who allowed six goals on 26 shots. His worst outing since his postseason debut. A forgettable 6-0 blowout at the hands of the Devils in 2006. Killorn got his second tally on another power play after Tanner Glass went off for a rough and misconduct.

So, it’s another series that’s tied after two games. That’s what the Rangers do. Now, they’ll have to go to Tampa and face one of the best home teams in a loud environment. Game 3 is Wednesday night at the same time. We’ll see how they respond to such a brutal performance.

Killorn Kills It: Alex Killorn buries a shot past an outstretched Henrik Lundqvist for a key insurance marker. AP Photo by Kathy Willens/Getty Images

Killorn Kills It: Alex Killorn buries a shot past an outstretched Henrik Lundqvist for a key insurance marker.
AP Photo by Kathy Willens/Getty Images

BONY 3 Stars:

3rd Star-Victor Hedman, Bolts (primary assist on Killorn’s back breaker, 3 SOG in 5 attempts, +1 in 25 shifts-23:05)

2nd Star-Alex Killorn, Bolts (2 goals-4, 5, assist, +2 in 27 shifts-20:42)

1st Star-Tyler Johnson, Bolts (1st career playoff hat trick-9, 10, 11, SHG, PPG, ES, +2 in 25 shifts-16:58-3-1-4 in series)

Quotable:

”I think every morning I’m just happy to be here and I’m living my dream. So that’s what’s driving me is to try to be the best I can and play for my family. They sacrificed so much for me to be here, and I’m living my dream, so I want to keep living it as long as possible.”-Lightning 1st Star Tyler Johnson

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Zuccarello begins light workouts, Vigneault doing great job

Posted on May 18, 2015 by Derek

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Since taking a Ryan McDonagh shot to the side of his helmet in Game 5 of the first round, Mats Zuccarello has been out with a concussion. During his time off, there have been all sorts of rumors about his future. At this point, that’s just speculation.

In Game 5 of the second round with the Rangers facing elimination, MSG showed him on the big screen to loud cheers and chants of “Zuuuucccc, Zuuuuccccc!!!!!” His teammates rallied back to beat the Caps in stunning fashion.

Prior to Saturday’s start of the Conference Final, coach Alain Vigneault didn’t give much of an update on Zuccarello. It would be shocking if he was back. That said, he has begun light workouts. For the first time since the “upper body injury,” he skated today.

It’s positive that Zuccarello returned to the ice and took a twirl as his coach mentioned while acknowledging he’s going through he process of getting healthy. There’s still no timetable for his return. My guess is you probably won’t see him again this postseason.

The Rangers have gotten to this point despite losing one of their most valuable forwards. No one can deny Zuccarello’s combination of speed, creativity and compete. He is all heart. Vigneault has had to mix up his lines. After going with Martin St. Louis on the second line last round, he shifted rookie Kevin Hayes up to Derick Brassard and Rick Nash while moving St. Louis to the third line with Game 1 hero Dominic Moore and Carl Hagelin. It worked with both lines getting sustained forecheck pressure and generating chances.

Vigneault deserves plenty of credit for adjusting his lineup accordingly. Since moving Moore up to the third line and having J.T. Miller play with James Sheppard and Tanner Glass on the fourth line, it’s given them more balance. Vigneault wisely used the top line of Chris Kreider, Derek Stepan and Jesper Fast with shutdown tandem Ryan McDonagh and Dan Girardi against the Lightning’s Triplets line of Ondrej Palat, Tyler Johnson and Nikita Kucherov. They were able to limit their chances at even strength. Palat scored the lone goal on the power play off a Johnson pass.

Without Zuccarello, it’ll continue to be a challenge for Vigneault and his team. The Blueshirts have done it by getting contributions from everyone. With Nash stuck on two goals and St. Louis still without one, it’s taken a total team effort to reach this point. That’ll continue when they take to the Garden ice for Game 2 tonight at 8 PM with a chance to go up two games to none. As we know, history hasn’t been kind to the Rangers at home in Game 2. They’ll look to buck the trend later.

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Video Of Day: Stepan presents Moore with the Broadway Hat

Posted on May 17, 2015 by Derek

One thing about these NHL live postgame videos. They never get old if you’re a passionate fan of the winning team. In this latest installment, we see goalscorer Derek Stepan present Dominic Moore with the Broadway Hat following his game decider that gave the Rangers a leg up in the Eastern Conference Final against the Lightning.

“This goes to the backhand professor,” a grinning Stepan said as he presented Moore with the Broadway Hat to laughs from the locker room. Moore then filled the ninth piece to the Stanley Cup puzzle.

It seems that after every Blueshirt win, Otis Day & The Knights cover of the Isley Brothers’ “Shout” is played to good natured ribbing. I couldn’t think of a more appropriate song for this likable group.

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Video Of Day: Hayes sets up Moore’s Game 1 winner

Posted on May 16, 2015 by Derek

Our second and final Video Of Day features what else but Kevin Hayes setting up Dominic Moore’s winner in Game 1 which came with 2:25 left in regulation. It was one of those ugly playoff goals that are beautiful this time of year. Moore started it after getting out of the box and got rewarded for going to the net where he beat Tyler Johnson for the deflection past Ben Bishop.

Derick Brassard played a key role being strong on the puck dumping it back down behind the net to Hayes, who came out and beat Ryan Callahan for the shot which caromed off Moore’s leg. A good play all around that allowed the Blueshirts to prevail.

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Video Of Day: Stepan scores on Bishop

Posted on May 16, 2015 by Derek

Our first Video Of Day features second round hero Derek Stepan breaking through on Ben Bishop with 12.7 seconds left in the second period to give the Rangers a 1-0 lead. His goal came courtesy of some hard work from USA pal Chris Kreider, who was all over the ice during this shift creating enough of a distraction for Stepan to finish off the play.

What I like about this inside look is you get to watch the play up close at ice level. It’s fun to see them generate the goal off a hard forecheck. Credit Ryan McDonagh for jumping in and taking the first shot that led to Stepan’s goal. Plus after he scores, you get Stepan’s loud scream of “Owwwwwwwwwww! Hoooooo! Hooooo!” 🙂

Great stuff.

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Former Blueshirts kept in check by former Bolts

Posted on May 16, 2015 by Derek
Former Lightning Dominic Moore skates by Tyler Johnson with the puck. He is one of three ex-Tampa players battling three former Rangers for a chance at Lord Stanley. AP Photo by Frank Franklin II/Getty Images

Former Lightning Dominic Moore skates by Tyler Johnson with the puck. He is one of three ex-Tampa players battling three former Rangers for a chance at Lord Stanley.
AP Photo by Frank Franklin II/Getty Images

Much has been made about this series between the Rangers and former Blueshirts. For Game 1, that would be Ryan Callahan of the appendectomy somehow dressing and taking 21 shifts (14:46) after having his appendix taken out. What else would you expect from the ex-Rangers captain?

The effort was there with his trademark blocking three shots but he also was victimized on ex-Lightning Dominic Moore’s winner with 2:25 left from rookie Kevin Hayes allowing the Rangers to come out on top in Game 1.

Also on for that goal against was familiar face Anton Stralman. The rock solid defenseman who Glen Sather felt he couldn’t commit long-term on instead opting for grizzled vet Dan Boyle. One half of the Lightning’s top pair with gifted countryman Victor Hedman, Stralman for the most part was good in 25 shifts (22:59). He even drew a tripping minor on Moore giving his team a chance to go ahead late in regulation. But it wasn’t to be with a stingy Rangers penalty kill getting the job done.

None of Stralman’s three shot attempts reached former teammate Henrik Lundqvist who again was sharp in making 23 saves in the Rangers’ 2-1 win to take a one game to none lead in this entertaining Eastern Conference Final. One that’ll continue to feature more skating and end to end rushes. Both teams are fast and it should make for a fun series if Game 1 is any indication.

In the first game, it was Boyle who came out on top. He and partner Marc Staal were matched up against Steven Stamkos by smart tactician Alain Vigneault. They handled the assignment well giving the Lightning captain nothing at even strength.

At times, Boyle’s had his struggles during this latest Rangers run. He’s come under criticism along with Keith Yandle for some shaky play. But one thing about him is he’s proud and battles hard. That intensity allowed him to bounce back quickly from a heavy hit from Washington defenseman Brooks Orpik in Game 7. He was cleared by the Rangers medical staff and didn’t look out of place making smart decisions with and without the puck in 25 effective shifts (17:56) finishing plus-one.

The other ex-Ranger Brian Boyle wasn’t available for today with his wife giving birth to their first child. Congrats to him. Tampa missed his edgy play. This time of year brings out Boyle’s best. A smart checking pivot who does the little things well like winning faceoffs, killing penalties and blocking shots. If he returns Monday, he’ll be a pest against his former team.

As Staal pointed out prior to the start of the first ever series between these new rivals, there are no friends during the playoffs. The battle lines have been drawn. Boyle, Callahan and Stralman are the enemy. A point not lost during the regular season series when they did damage angering the masses.

What the Rangers do possess are three former Bolts including Boyle and Martin St. Louis who teamed up to win Tampa Bay’s only Stanley Cup 11 years ago. An irony of sorts that they now face a team they shared great moments with.

A third member, Moore didn’t stay long in Tampa sticking around to help the Lightning advance to their second Conference Final before losing in a tough seven to the Bruins in 2011. The well traveled vet is back in the Final Four for the fourth time in his career. The first two coming with Montreal and Tampa a year apart. The last two back with the team who drafted him out of Harvard in the third round of 2000. All playing a supporting role. As he had in scoring the series clincher from poetically Brian Boyle that sent last year’s team to its first Stanley Cup appearance in 20 years, Moore notched today’s game winner drawing the current Blueshirts one step closer to a return.

Hockey is a funny game. Once, you’re loved and rooted for by cheering fans. But once you change jerseys, you’re hated and booed by those same lovable fans who respected you and probably still do in most cases. Here they are doing battle for a chance at Lord Stanley. We’re just getting warmed up.

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Moore burns Lightning as Rangers draw first blood

Posted on May 16, 2015 by Derek
Dominic Moore celebrates his game-winner with 2:25 left in the Rangers' 2-1 Game 1 win over the Lightning. AP Photo by Frank Franklin II/Getty Images

Dominic Moore celebrates his game-winner with 2:25 left in the Rangers’ 2-1 Game 1 win over the Lightning.
AP Photo by Frank Franklin II/Getty Images

The intensity was fierce. The score was tied. The goaltending was superb. Nothing separated the Lightning and Rangers for 57 and a half minutes. In a game that seemed destined for overtime, a key role player stepped to the forefront for the Broadway winners. Dominic Moore’s goal with 2:25 left in regulation burned the Lightning as the Blueshirts drew first blood prevailing in a well played Game 1 by a score of 2-1 at MSG. They lead the Eastern Conference Final one game to none.

Ironically, Moore took the third straight bad penalty in a undisciplined third period by the Garden hosts that saw them give up the lead on Ondrej Palat’s power play rocket with Ryan McDonagh off for high sticking Tyler Johnson. The Rangers had to kill off Chris Kreider’s holding the stick minor and then dealt with Moore’s trip that put a dangerous opponent back on the power play.

The penalty kill stepped up by not permitting a shot. Splendid work was done by Jesper Fast, Carl Hagelin, Derek Stepan and Rick Nash along with McDonagh, Dan Girardi, Marc Staal and Kevin Klein. Without such diligent work from their key personnel, the Rangers don’t get the opportunity to win the game late stunning the Lightning and the previously unbeatable Ben Bishop. He was still superb making 28 stops but had some bad luck on the Rangers’ pair including Moore’s winner.

After Moore got out of the penalty box, Hayes and Derick Brassard combined with Moore on a strong cycle behind the Tampa net. A similar strategy they used to defeat the Caps. Eventually, Hayes came off the boards with the puck with former Ranger Ryan Callahan on him. But the wise rookie was able to shoot towards the net with the puck deflecting off Moore’s leg past Bishop at 17:35. There was no need for video review with the deflection unintentional.

Following a strong shift by the Lightning fourth line, the Rangers were able to protect the lead without any problem. They did it by continuing to skate and get pucks deep. That included some stellar work from Kreider and Brassard. Even with Bolts coach Jon Cooper pulling Bishop with over a minute left, his team never got a sniff against Henrik Lundqvist, who again was strong making 23 saves in the Rangers’ postseason record 15th consecutive one-goal game. How else would they win?

It started out with the teams feeling each other out. Alain Vigneault made another change moving Martin St. Louis down to the third line with Moore and Hagelin. A move that seemed to spark St. Louis, who was around the puck more on the forecheck and had a couple of great chances. Replacing him on the Brassard and Nash line was Hayes, who fit in well hitting a goalpost off a sustained forecheck.

That wasn’t the only wise choice by Vigneault who had a good game behind the bench. Rather than use McDonagh and Girardi against Steven Stamkos, he opted to match them against the Lightning’s Triplet Line of Palat, Tyler Johnson and Nikita Kucherov. The second-year Rangers coach also made sure to have Stepan’s line out as much as possible. A more reliable two-way unit.

A sharp contrast to the second round was the amount of room there was on the ice. These are fast skating teams who look to transition quickly and find pinching D. It led to plenty of scoring chances and some quality stops especially from Bishop, who made 11 saves in a busy first period. The Rangers had most of the play outshooting the Lightning 11-7. Their aggressive forecheck forced turnovers. One led to a Stepan break in but Bishop got enough of his glove on his forehand shot pushing it over the net. Bishop also denied Tanner Glass late in the stanza with a good backcheck by Palat preventing a Girardi rebound opportunity.

The second period was more helter skelter. Tampa picked up their play. They also killed off a bench minor that led to Bishop gloving a Brassard shot. Following the kill, their transition game finally showed. The Johnson unit began creating opportunities. Lundqvist kicked out a Palat chance from the circle. He also denied the dangerous Kucherov. With Vigneault opting to have Staal and Boyle go up against Stamkos, Valtteri Filppula and Alex Killorn, they did some solid work. Stamkos created opportunities for his linemates but was held to just one shot and was minus-one.

D-Step Again: Derek Stepan celebrates another goal with Jesper Fast with 12.7 seconds left in the second period. AP Photo by Kathy Willens/Getty Images

D-Step Again: Derek Stepan celebrates another goal with Jesper Fast with 12.7 seconds left in the second period.
AP Photo by Kathy Willens/Getty Images

With the game still scoreless in the final minute, the Rangers finally broke through on Bishop thanks to a smart line change from Vigneault. Following some pressure from the Brassard line, he got the Stepan line back out. A strong Fast forecheck kept a play alive eventually leading to a cycle. Kreider attempted a shot from in tight which caromed off Andrej Sustr right to Stepan who as he did Wednesday buried the rebound for his fourth of the postseason with 12.7 seconds left. McDonagh drew the secondary assist keeping the play alive.

Ondrej Palat is congratulated by Steven Stamkos and teammates after scoring a power play goal that tied the game in the third. AP Photo by Frank Franklin II/Getty Images

Ondrej Palat is congratulated by Steven Stamkos and teammates after scoring a power play goal that tied the game in the third.
AP Photo by Frank Franklin II/Getty Images

Trailing by one, the Lightning were able to even the game following a bad McDonagh penalty when he got his stick up on Johnson. Off ironically enough a perfect Johnson pass, Palat one-timed it past Lundqvist’s glove inside the goalpost at 6:45 from Johnson and Hedman. That was the Bolts’ first shot of the third.

The Garden crowd quickly energized with “Let’s Go Rangers” chants trying to rally their team. The problem is they kept taking penalties. Kreider got nabbed for a holding the stick with 11:21 left. You can’t put the Bolts on the power play. They are more creative than the Caps moving it around more effectively. They use everyone. Stamkos was set up for his only shot on a one-timer which Lundqvist padded away. It was their only shot on it.

Tampa got their third straight chance when Moore went off with under five minutes remaining. But the Rangers penalty kill did a great job preventing the Lightning from getting shots. They also were aggressive with Nash skating into the Tampa zone. The D did the job in front of Lundqvist getting some key clears. The Lightning went 1-for-4 on the power play. The Rangers went 0-for-2 with the first abbreviated.

It came down to one big shift with a make shift line of Moore, Brassard and Hayes. Moore out in place of Nash due to returning. Brassard, who was a factor offensively made a good play behind the net getting it to Hayes who used his strength to get a shot past Callahan that caromed off Moore for the game decider at 17:35.

That was enough for them to win. Game 2 is Monday night at 8 PM.

BONY 3 Stars:

3rd Star-Ben Bishop, TBL (28 saves incl. 21/22 thru 2-gave team a chance but finally loses to NYR falling to 8-1)

2nd Star-Derek Stepan, NYR (goal with 12.7 seconds left in 2nd-4th of postseason, 3 SOG, +1 in 25 shifts-18:35-Step with another sweet finish)

1st Star-Dominic Moore, NYR (scored at 17:35 of the 3rd for game-winner-1st of playoffs, 3 SOG, +1 in 24 shifts-17:13-nice reward for deserving player)

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Lightning forward Brian Boyle out for Game 1

Posted on May 16, 2015 by Derek

There’s one change for the Lightning entering today’s big Game 1 against the Rangers in the Eastern Conference Final. They’ll be without ex-Blueshirt Brian Boyle. He’s day-to-day with an injury after not taking warm ups.

Boyle is a reliable two-way checking center who is strong on faceoffs and kills penalties. He always steps it up in the playoffs. So, he’ll be missed by Tampa. Vladislav Namestnikov draws in. Jonathan Marchessault is also in for the Bolts. His second straight postseason game after playing Game 6 last round.

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Series Preview: Rangers face familiar foe in Lightning

Posted on May 16, 2015 by Derek

The waiting is over. Following two days off in the aftermath of an emotional Game 7 second round win over the Caps thanks to Derek Stepan’s overtime heroics and Henrik Lundqvist’s brilliant goaltending, the Rangers are set to face a familiar foe in the Lightning in the Eastern Conference Final. The fun starts today for a Game 1 at MSG on NBC at 1 PM.

Let’s delve into the match-ups.

FORWARDS: The Rangers likely will be without Mats Zuccarello again. He’s started light workouts but it doesn’t sound optimistic. They’re led by center tandem Stepan and Derick Brassard who are tied for the team lead with eight points. Rick Nash (2-5-7) is third. Is this the series he breaks out? Chris Kreider has been money scoring four of his five goals in Round 2. Martin St. Louis faces his former team. How will he respond to Alain Vigneault’s benching. Despite three helpers last round, he’s still without a goal in 12. J.T. Miller saw time on the top line. He set up rookie Kevin Hayes’ tying power play goal. The kids stepped up. Jesper Fast had four points against Washington. Miller had assists in Games 6 and 7. Carl Hagelin was held without a goal. His speed was a factor along with faceoff specialist Dominic Moore, who moved up to center the third line. Tanner Glass and James Sheppard have been dependable.

The Lightning boast the league’s best offense. Steven Stamkos (3-7-10) is the headliner. He came to life scoring a goal in the final two games against Montreal. Coach Jon Cooper shifted him to wing with Ryan Callahan out. Callahan (appendectomy) returns because of course he would versus his ex-team. Alex Killorn (3-6-9) is a overlooked complement. What makes Tampa scary is the ‘Triplets’ line. Anchored by Conn Smythe candidate Tyler Johnson (8-4-12), they are dangerous with Nikita Kucherov finding his finishing touch by scoring six goals against the Canadiens. Ondrej Palat (3-5-8) is underrated. Their ability to skate and forecheck could pose a problem. Tampa also boasts playmaker Valtteri Filppula and familiar checking pivot Brian Boyle (32 hits, 87-and-75 on draws). He’ll be pumped for this. Cedric Paquette, J.T. Brown, Nikita Nesterov are support players. Jonathan Drouin has only gotten in three games.

Edge: Lightning

DEFENSEMEN: Ryan McDonagh anchors the best blueline that’s left of the Final Four. The Rangers captain hasn’t been great but remains a steady influence who Vigneault leans on in every situation. His Game 5 overtime winner kept the season alive following Kreider’s game-tying goal with 101 seconds left. McDonagh and partner Dan Girardi will draw the big assignment against Stamkos. If the Johnson line gives Marc Staal and Dan Boyle problems, might Vigneault switch his top tandem against them? Girardi is more needed to shadow Stamkos on the Tampa power play. Similar to Alex Ovechkin. Keith Yandle had 2 big assists during their comeback but remains shaky. Kevin Klein needs a better series. He now has seven games under his belt.

Victor Hedman is the other big name defenseman in this series. Thus far, he’s been brilliant with a goal, five helpers and a plus-seven rating. Former Blueshirt Anton Stralman has been a rock going 1-4-5, plus-four so far. Last summer, Glen Sather let Stralman walk opting for ex-Lightning ’04 Cup hero Boyle. Obviously, Stralman has more left. Braydon Coburn is physical but can be exploited. Matt Carle is a solid skating D. Andrej Sustr can be attacked. Jason Garrison has a potent shot. Their D largely depends on Hedman and Stralman. Coburn needs a good series.

Edge: Rangers

GOALIES: Henrik Lundqvist continues to amaze. Now 10-0 in the Rangers’ last 10 home elimination games and having won six straight Game 7’s, what more can be said about the franchise goalie? He’s backstopped the club to consecutive comebacks from 3-1 down. He went goal for goal against Braden Holtby allowing 12 to Holtby’s 13. He’s 8-4-0 with a 1.60 goals-against-average and .944 save percentage. He faces a stiffer challenge against some dangerous Lightning shooters.

Ben Bishop has never lost to the Rangers. He’s a perfect 8-0 in the regular season dating back to his Ottawa days. Of course, he was in for all three Lightning wins in the first half. In his first postseason, Big Ben has been tremendous posting a 1.81 GAA and a .931 save percentage with a Game 7 shutout of Detroit in Round 1. He’s a big netminder who takes up a lot of space. The Rangers must move him laterally to have success.

Edge: Rangers

COACHES: Both teams feature good coaches. The Rangers with Jack Adams candidate Alain Vigneault who after guiding them to the league’s best record, was the calming influence that kept them focused in rallying from a 3-1 second round deficit for a second consecutive year. He made some key adjustments flipping Moore and Miller while daring to bench St. Louis the final 10+ minutes of regulation for the more defensive minded and faster Miller. Vigneault is proven.

Jon Cooper is an interesting story. A former Hofstra lacrosse player who played one year of hockey, he became a lawyer before turning hockey coach. He coached high school and then in the North American Hockey League before getting his big break with the Tampa AHL affiliate Syracuse in ’11-12 guiding them to the Calder Cup. In his second full year behind the Lightning bench, he guided them to 50 wins and 108 points finishing second in the Atlantic behind Montreal. The Bolts rallied from a 3-2 deficit to beat the Red Wings in the first round and ousted the Habs in Round 2 in six.

Edge: Rangers

Series Prediction: This is too close to call. The Rangers are a different team since the Lightning last saw them in December. Hayes, Miller and Fast have emerged. St. Louis looks to be on his last legs. Yandle gives them a good pass first defenseman who can find the seams. The Lightning are deep, fast and very skilled. They pose a threat. Especially if they can get to Lundqvist. If it’s a short series, the Lightning will prevail in 6. If it goes the distance, the Rangers will win in 7.

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Smart moves by Vigneault helped Rangers advance

Posted on May 14, 2015 by Derek
Mac Delivers: Ryan McDonagh is mobbed by teammates Derek Stepan and Jesper Fast after his overtime winner kept alive the Rangers season. AP Photo by Julie Jacobson/Getty Images

Mac Delivers: Ryan McDonagh is mobbed by teammates Derek Stepan and Jesper Fast after his Game 5 overtime winner which kept alive the Rangers season. They would complete another 3-1 comeback to defeat the Caps last night with another OT won by Stepan. Both under Alain Vigneault.
AP Photo by Julie Jacobson/Getty Images

In a hard fought seven-game series, sometimes it’s the tough decisions a coach makes that winds up being the difference. When they fell behind 3-1 to the Caps, the Rangers needed to adjust to come back for a second straight year in the second round making postseason history.

Those adjustments were made by second-year coach Alain Vigneault. Earlier in the series, I critiqued him for not tweaking his lines and making a change to his strategy. The Caps had success early in the series taking away the home run pass by clogging the neutral zone and standing up at the blueline neutralizing the Rangers’ speed. I also felt he needed to double shift his best players when the team was behind.

Ironically, in Game 5 Vigneault didn’t listen opting to roll all four lines. By that point, he had moved Dominic Moore up to center the third line shifting Kevin Hayes to the wing with Carl Hagelin. J.T. Miller was moved down to anchor the fourth line between Tanner Glass and James Sheppard. Interestingly, it was Miller who played a big role in the Rangers’ comeback. We’ll get to that later.

It was late in Game 5 on Friday night when the Rangers trailed the Caps by a goal. Curtis Glencross having chipped in his own rebound with 9:06 left. It looked like the fourth liner’s goal was gonna be enough to eliminate them in five. A result so disappointing that the coach and his players would’ve gotten roasted. But Vigneault never panicked opting to patiently wait for the right opportunity to send Henrik Lundqvist to the bench for an extra attacker. The irony is he never even got off when series hero Derek Stepan took a Keith Yandle outlet and then made a perfect drop for a wicked Chris Kreider one-timer that whistled past Braden Holtby with 1:41 left saving their season. Stepan would also set up Ryan McDonagh’s winner at 9:37 of overtime to extend the series.

The winning play doesn’t happen if not for some great hustle from rookie Jesper Fast. With Mats Zuccarello out, no player has stepped up more than Fast. Moved up by Vigneault to the Stepan line with Kreider, Fast has emerged as a key player. He’s a smart two-way forward who makes the little plays that help win big games. Prior to Stepan setting up McDonagh’s Game 5 winner, it was Fast who forced Glencross into a turnover. He then passed across for Stepan who faked and allowed McDonagh to do the rest. At the start of Game 6, Fast was in on Kreider’s goal 40 seconds in. He didn’t register a point last night but was reliable getting big minutes (21:24) in 33 shifts.

It was the play of the kids that allowed the Blueshirts to force overtime. The Caps kept handing them power plays between the end of the first and start of the second. But they were unable to take advantage until the final portion of their fourth power play. After the top unit with the struggling Martin St. Louis got nothing accomplished, it was the second unit that came through. Following a great keep by McDonagh, Miller took a feed and skated in drawing all four Caps and then centered for a wide open Hayes who tapped it in for the tying goal at 6:22 of the middle stanza. Hayes had his strongest game of the series skating in traffic and creating opportunities for Moore and Hagelin, who in OT was robbed by Holtby.

Miller was moved to the fourth line in Game 4. That’s when Vigneault decided he needed to have Moore in his top nine. An experienced and versatile player who consistently wins faceoffs, Moore also is a effective forechecker who can help generate a cycle. A heady player who is responsible defensively, he brought that little extra to the third line. In doing so, Vigneault banked on the speedy and skilled Miller to spark the fourth line. That strategy paid off in Game 6. When up 3-1, Miller combined with Sheppard behind the net to set up Dan Boyle for what proved to be the winner in a 4-3 nail biter.

Vigneault’s gutsiest move came during the third period of a tie game Wednesday. St. Louis was having a tough night. Unable to provide much offensively, the proud 39-year old future Hall Of Famer had a couple of bad giveaways that led to Caps chances. He also was no match for the dangerous Evgeny Kuznetsov one-on-one covering for a defenseman resulting in Kuznetsov blowing by him and nearly beating Lundqvist sending a backhand wide.

Vigneault could ill afford to have St. Louis out late when one mistake could have meant the series. So, he made the hard decision of sitting St. Louis replacing him with Miller on the Derick Brassard line with Rick Nash. Miller even took and won some key draws. He went 6-and-2 and was an asset in 21 shifts (14:56).

The coach also had to deal with a shortened bench following Brooks Orpik’s unpenalized hit that injured Dan Boyle. The Caps veteran defenseman left his feet at the end catching a prone Boyle who left the game in the third. That meant Vigneault had to rotate five defensemen. As usual, he leaned heavily on McDonagh who gave him over 29 minutes and recovered well from a coverage flap on Alex Ovechkin’s goal in the first. He blocked six shots while defending Ovechkin with steady partner Dan Girardi who was an unsung hero throughout. Kevin Klein also stepped up playing big minutes with Marc Staal.

Vigneault had to manage Yandle’s minutes because he was shaky in his end. However, he utilized Yandle the right way. As he had in Game 5 when he had the offensive defenseman out when his stretch pass led to Kreider’s critical goal, Vigneault sent Yandle over the boards following a stoppage with Girardi for Stepan’s key offensive draw. One that was won by Fast back to Yandle who fed Girardi for a heavy one-timer that forced Holtby to leak out a rebound right to Stepan, who deposited it for the series clincher.

When the Rangers needed to find a way to advance, Vigneault had the right personnel out. He chose wisely. He deserves credit for adjusting the team strategy. He was also responsible for getting them to chip and charge getting pucks behind the Caps D which allowed them to use their speed and get in on the forecheck. The Rangers were most effective working behind the net. They generated offense and turned the series around.

It paid off. All due to the coach who never panicked. Why would he? His team had been here before against the Pens last year. Having that experience helped them rally back. Having Lundqvist always helps. He tied Martin Brodeur and Patrick Roy for the most Game 7 wins (6). Lundqvist improved to 10-0 at MSG in the Rangers’ last 10 elimination games. He also kept alive his odd May 13th Game 7 streak by making the identical amount of saves (35) as he had in ousting the Caps in 2013 and the Pens last year. As uncanny as it gets for the clutch goalie who saved his team in OT when they were on their heels.

So, the Rangers’ dream is still alive. They can still #ChangeTheEnding with the right coach at the right time.

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