Should, or even could, the NY Rangers trade for Steven Stamkos?

This was the egg to let the Lightning back in it. The Rangers lay an egg at least once per series, and Game 4 was that egg for the Rangers in the Eastern Conference Final. Tampa Bay just took it to the Rangers, forcing them to play their game and slow the pace down immensely. The Rangers speed has been their advantage, but after the Rangers refused to back down in Games 1 and 2, Tampa adjusted.

There were two big changes for Tampa. The first is on their forecheck, switching to a very passive 1-2-2 with all four in the neutral zone. That effectively eliminated the Rangers speed and forced them to find other options that just weren’t there. The second was on their breakout, cycling more players deeper for shorter passes to eliminate the Rangers forecheck.

Gerard Gallant has made minor adjustments in series past, but in this one he was limited by the Filip Chytil injury and missing Ryan Strome. I’d expect Gallant, at home, to make a few adjustments to give his guys more room. Perhaps some lineup changes too?

Lightning 1, Rangers 0

The initial chance by Zach Bogosian was created by walking Ryan Reaves and Justin Braun. That’s not great defense. It’s Zach Bogosian. The rebound went to the slot and no one picked up Pat Maroon, who had an empty net. For what it’s worth, Maroon was Kevin Rooney’s guy.

Lightning 2, Rangers 0

Neutral zone turnover, and Nikita Kucherov was unnoticed in the center of the blue line for the breakaway. Horrible defense and awareness.

Lightning 3, Rangers 0

This is the egg the Rangers laid. Two Lightning players at the back door for the rebound and no one picked them up. Steven Stamkos was behind the net when he scored. Ondrej Palat with the takeaway along the boards from two Rangers. Just bad.

Lightning 3, Rangers 1

The Rangers finally got one, and of course it was on the powerplay. Good puck movement by the Rangers for the shot by Adam Fox. There was some chaos in front and them Panarin would up with the puck on his stick and got it over Vasilevskiy.

Lightning 4, Rangers 1

Ondrej Palat empty netter.

So here’s the good news. You would have signed up for a best of three with home ice and Igor Shesterkin 10 times out of 10. That’s what the Rangers have right now. But with Strome, Chytil, Lindgren, and Goodrow all banged up at best, the forward depth has been gutted, especially at center. They need the Dan Girardi Cyborg Parts Store to work its magic, and fast.

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