The Rangers took Game One with a strong showing of puck possession and defensive play. They got a lucky bounce for the game winner, but that’s how playoff hockey works most of the time. Henrik Lundqvist was again strong, as he has been all playoffs. Ben Bishop was also extremely good, so the Rangers will need to do a better job of making him move.
This Rangers team the Bolts are looking at are not the same Rangers they played seven months ago. There are very few teams in the league with the speed to match Tampa, and even fewer with the defense to shut them down. The Rangers have both, and it frustrated the Bolts on Saturday afternoon.
Justin wrote a very detailed analysis on how to beat Ben Bishop, and I wrote a detailed systems/numbers preview of the series. Both are great reads if you haven’t already perused.
Bolts Systems
Jon Cooper has the Lightning playing a pretty similar system as the Rangers. They run an overload 1-2-2 forecheck, but will mix in a 2-1-2 as well. In the defensive zone, they mix zone and overload coverage depending on puck location. On special teams, they run a 1-3-1 power play and rotate between a diamond and box penalty kill depending on opposition setup.
Bolts Lines
Alex Killorn-Valterri Filppula-Steven Stamkos
Ondrej Palat-Tyler Johnson-Nikita Kucherov
Jonathan Marchessault-Cedric Paquette-Ryan Callahan
Brendan Morrow-Vladimir Namestnikov-J.T. Brown
Victor Hedman-Anton Stralman
Jason Garrison-Brayden Coburn
Matt Carle-Andrej Sustr
PP1: Stamkos-Callahan-TBD-Filppula-Stralman
PP2: Johnson-Kucherov-Palat-Killorn-Carle
PK: Paquette, Brown, Johnson, Filppula, Palat, Stamkos, Stralman, Hedman, Carle
Ben Bishop gets the start.
Rangers Lines
Rick Nash–Derick Brassard–Martin St. Louis
Chris Kreider–Derek Stepan–Jesper Fast
Carl Hagelin–Dominic Moore–Kevin Hayes
Tanner Glass–J.T. Miller–James Sheppard
Ryan McDonagh–Dan Girardi
Marc Staal–Dan Boyle
Keith Yandle–Kevin Klein
PP1: Kreider-Stepan-St. Louis-Brassard-Boyle
PP2: Nash-Hayes-Miller-McDonagh-Yandle
PK: Stepan, Nash, Girardi, Staal, Moore, Fast, Hunwick, Boyle, Hagelin, Yandle, McDonagh
Henrik Lundqvist is in net.
Scratches/Injuries: Mats Zuccarello (concussion), Matt Hunwick (healthy)
Crazy Prediction: The teams combine for 9 goals.
Be sure to check out our ticket link if you’re looking for tickets to the game. Game time is 8pm on NBCSN.
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