rangers lightning playoffs 2015

It’s another Game 7 for the New York Rangers. This time though, the incredibly skilled Tampa Bay Lightning are what stand between the Rangers and a second straight Prince of Wales trophy. There’s not much else you need to say about a Game 7

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. They do this quite often against the Rangers actually. 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

Brendan Morrow-Valterri Filppula-Steven Stamkos
Ondrej Palat-Tyler Johnson-Nikita Kucherov
Alex Killorn-Cedric Paquette-Ryan Callahan
Brian Boyle-J.T. Brown

Victor Hedman-Anton Stralman
Jason Garrison-Brayden Coburn
Matt Carle-Andrej Sustr
Nikita Nesterov

PP1: Stamkos-Boyle-Palat-Filppula-Stralman
PP2: Johnson-Kucherov-Callahan-Killorn-Carle

PK: Boyle, 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. Miller

Ryan McDonaghDan Girardi
Marc StaalDan Boyle
Keith YandleKevin Klein
Matt Hunwick

PP1: Kreider-Stepan-St. Louis-Brassard-Boyle
PP2: Nash-Hayes-Miller-McDonagh-Yandle

PK: Stepan, Nash, Girardi, Staal, Moore, Fast, Boyle, Hagelin, Yandle, McDonagh

Henrik Lundqvist is in net.

Scratches/Injuries: Mats Zuccarello (concussion), James Sheppard (healthy)

Crazy Prediction: The defense remembers how to gap control.

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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