The Lightning embarrassed the Rangers in Game Two on Monday night, taking advantage of stupid penalties and bad defense to the tune of a 6-2 demolition. Tonight is a new night, and the Rangers will look to rebound and regain the series lead. New York was probably better off getting blown out on Monday, as it forced a mental reset for them.
The Bolts, meanwhile, benefited greatly from special teams. Generally, the refs have let a lot of stuff go in the playoffs this year, but Game Two they called everything. The game was won by the Bolts on the back of special teams, but they also played a lot better at even strength.
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-Brian Boyle-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: Boyle, 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: Rick Nash and Martin St. Louis score a goal.
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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