Eastern Conference Final Game 1: Shesty vs. Vasy
Shesterkin vs. Vasilevskiy. That’s the story of the Eastern Conference Final. Apparently the Rangers and Lightning are playing too, but no one else is mentioning that. You know what else no one is mentioning? That the Rangers again have a shot to win. All the pundits, yet again, picked Tampa. Shocker, I know, since everyone picked the Canes too. Hurricanes have lightning, so perhaps that’s a theme.
This isn’t going to be an easy series for either team. Both are built similarly with high end skill, good goaltending, and depth throughout. Where Tampa is lacking right now is at center, whereas they have an advantage on defense. Both are slight advantages for both teams, so let’s call it a wash.
Execution is key. The team that actually follows their game plan will have the leg up. But for the Rangers, they need to take advantage if Brayden Point is truly out.
Lightning Lines
Steven Stamkos-Anthony Cirelli-Nikita Kucherov
Ondrej Palat-Nicholas Paul-Alex Killorn
Cole Koepke-Ross Colton-Corey Perry
Pat Maroon-Pierre-Edouard Bellemare-Riley Nash
Victor Hedman-Erik Cernak
Ryan McDonagh-Zach Bogosian
Mikhail Sergachev-Cal Foote
Andrei Vasilevskiy gets the start.
Rangers Lines
Chris Kreider-Mika Zibanejad-Frank Vatrano
Artemiy Panarin-Ryan Strome–Andrew Copp
Alexis Lafreniere-Filip Chytil–Tyler Motte
Kaapo Kakko-Barclay Goodrow-Ryan Reaves
K’Andre Miller–Jacob Trouba
Ryan Lindgren–Adam Fox
Justin Braun-Braden Schneider
PP1: Strome-Zibanejad-Panarin-Kreider-Fox
PP2: Lafreniere-Chytil-Vatrano-Copp-Trouba
Igor Shesterkin gets the start.
Injuries: Sammy Blais (knee – done for season), Kevin Rooney (healthy)
Crazy Prediction: A six spot on Vasi.
Game time is 8pm.
Categorized: Game Thread