'what's the third round, Keith?'

The Rangers got back to basics on Friday night, limiting the Bolts to one goal after allowing six in two straight losses. With the series tied at two, Game Five has become pivotal. A win for the Bolts means heading home with a chance to close it out. A win for the Rangers means all the pressure is on a young Lightning team. In a series that hasn’t lacked any excitement, tonight should be another pulse-elevating one.

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
Mark Barbiero/Nikita Nesterov-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.

If TBL goes with 6D, Barbiero will be the scratch. If they go with 7D, Marchessault will be the scratch.

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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