The New York Rangers took Game 1, but will the Tampa Bay Lightning answer back and continue their unbelievable bounce-back streak?
The Tampa Bay Lightning were well-rested heading into Game 1, and, perhaps, that served their downfall.
The New York Rangers won the game 6-2, just two nights after winning Game 7 against the Carolina Hurricanes. The Blueshirts have had no shortage of "must-win" games over the past few weeks and their urgency to score early and force their opponents to chase has been evident.
But the Lightning are no ordinary hockey club, and aren't ready to back down in pursuit of a third-straight Stanley Cup. The Rangers aren't afraid of anyone, though, and their Game 1 victory sent a true statement that they're not to be messed with. Most experts picked Tampa to win this series, but the Rangers don't mind being the underdogs -- they thrive in it, and they're so much fun to watch.
But we're only one game in, and so much can happen over the next week and a half. Here are the keys to winning Friday's contest:
Tampa has to stick to the plan
Much has been made about the Lightning's ability to avoid losing in consecutive games. Since getting swept in 2019, the Lightning haven't lost in back-to-back games, which was especially important in avoiding a first-round exit at the hands of the Toronto Maple Leafs.
So if history tells us anything, it's that the Lightning should come out on top against New York in Game 2. But Game 1 saw them fall flat, despite having the advantage in most statistical categories.
Tampa has an incredible goaltender in Andrei Vasilevskiy, but the Rangers can match that in Vezina Trophy favorite Igor Shesterkin. The Lightning have great offense -- so does New York. Where the Lightning have a distinct advantage is in defense, and if the Bolts are going to win this series, the blueline needs to be its biggest weapon.
If any team can bounce back after a big loss, it's Tampa Bay. Tampa will want to take the momentum of a Game 2 victory back to Amalie Arena, where they've been so good over the past two post-seasons.
They seem like a good bet tonight.
Rangers' depth needs to continue its dominance
With a combined five points in Game 1, the "Kid Line" -- Kaapo Kakko, Alexis Lafreniere and Filip Chytil -- were a big reason why the Rangers took a surprising Game 1 win. And, as a whole, the line has been flying in recent games, including the pair of must-wins to close out the second-round series against Carolina.
Add in Frank Vatrano and Andrew Copp's tremendous play as trade deadline acquisitions and New York's offense is as varied as we've seen in many years. Scoring depth is a strength of Tampa's, namely Ross Colton and Corey Perry, but New York got the results needed in Game 1.
As long as New York can trust its bottom-six lines to produce, the team should be in good shape. This is a confident, fun group, and they're not ready to become another footnote in Tampa's dynasty. Expect another energy-filled effort from the boys in blue.