The New York Rangers once again have their backs to the wall. The 3-1 home loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning also means match point for the reigning NHL champion.
Difficult to save: Ondrej Palat (No. 18) deflects, Igor Shesterkin is beaten.
IMAGO/ZUMA Wire
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In the sizzling atmosphere of Madison Square Garden, the New York Rangers were looking to win their third home appearance and travel to Florida with a 3-2 lead going into their sixth game. It turned out differently: Despite the lead, the “Broadway Blueshirts” conceded a 1:3 defeat through very late goals and now have their backs to the wall.
Although that’s nothing special for the comeback kings. The Rangers already turned a 1:3 into a 4:3 against the Pittsburgh Penguins, then they also prevailed against the Carolina Hurricanes after a 2:3 deficit with two wins.
Goalies in focus
But now it’s time to fend off a match point from the champions who triumphed twice in a row. Tampa Bay was not shocked by the mood in Manhattan on Friday night (CEST) or by Ryan Lindgren’s 0-1 lead in the middle of the second period (31st). Mikhail Sergachev equalized before the end of the middle third (38′), after that the game went back and forth – with some brilliant saves from goalkeepers Igor Shesterkin (New York) and Andre Vasilevskiy (Tampa Bay, both 24 saves).
The crunch time brought the decision – and long faces in the Big Apple. In the 59th minute Ondrej Palat skilfully got in front of Shesterkin’s goal and deflected a Sergachev flick from the blue line into the goal with his body – 1:2. The rest was a formality for the Bolts, who brought about the 3-1 final score through Brandon Hagel in the final seconds with an empty netter (60th).
Patience and struggle – Lindgren’s declaration of war
“We stayed patient,” Tampa Captain Steven Stamkos revealed of the guests’ recipe. “We knew it was going to be a challenge in that atmosphere, that there would be few goals and a lot of fighting. But we stuck to the match plan and we were rewarded for it.”
After eight home wins in a row, the Rangers had to swallow a bitter pill – but by no means give up. “It was a close game that could have ended differently,” said defender Jacob Trouba. “But that also makes it all the more frustrating.” Goalscorer Lindgren sent a challenge to the Lightning: “It looks like we’re showing our best hockey with our backs to the wall.” And with their backs to the wall, the Blueshirts are definitely standing after the defeat.
Game six takes place on Sunday night in Tampa (2 a.m. EST).
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