rangers lightning playoffs 2015

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 NashDerick BrassardMartin St. Louis
Chris KreiderDerek StepanJesper Fast
Carl HagelinDominic MooreKevin Hayes
Tanner GlassJ.T. MillerJames Sheppard

Ryan McDonaghDan Girardi
Marc StaalDan Boyle
Keith YandleKevin 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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