The New York Rangers will take on the Tampa Bay Lightning in the Eastern Conference Finals. The Rangers (52-24-6) finished the 2021-22 regular season runners-up in the Metropolitan Division and went the full seven-game distance twice in the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs, first against the Pittsburgh Penguins (4-3), then against the Carolina Hurricanes (4:3). The Lightning (51-23-8) were ranked third in the Atlantic Division after the main round and beat the Toronto Maple Leafs (4:3) in the 1st round and with a sweep in the 2nd round against the Local rivals Florida Panthers (4-0) through. Both had the same number of points (110) in the regular season, but Rangers now enjoy home advantage because they picked up a win.
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NHL.com takes a close look at the two Eastern Conference finalists.
Sturm
New York has produced 3.43 goals per game so far in the 2022 playoffs and, with a 32.5 percent success rate, also uses almost a third of all power plays for an overtime goal. The Rangers’ offensive power is particularly impressive in all five elimination games that were successfully contested: The New Yorkers scored 5.0 goals per game. The ultimate go-to guys at Rangers are number one centers Mika Zibanejad (7-12-19) and the powerful Power Forward Chris Kreider (8-3-11), whose form from the regular season (52-25-77) continues into the postseason. At the same time, Kreider is also the man for the important goals, which is already proven by three winning goals. The Rangers received scoring touch in particular from the front row, to which also Frank Fire (3-5-8) counts, but also from the second line around Andrew Copp (6-6-12), Artemi Panarin (4-7-11), and Ryan Strome (2-7-9) and the highly talented third formation around Alexis Lafreniere (2-5-7), Filip Chytil (5-1-6) and Kaapo Kakko (1-2-3).
With 3.27 goals per game and 22.9 percent power play, Tampa Bay has slightly worse offensive values, but these are still at a high level. And that, although with Brayden Point the top center was absent for long stretches due to an injury to his right leg. The nimble center forward is said to be making good progress and could celebrate his comeback in this series. The scoring burden was borne by others: Nikita Kucherov (4-11-15) advances again to the scoring machine. Also captain Steven Stamkos plays outstanding playoffs (4-4-8). One of the high-flyers is Ross Colton, who scored diligently and decisively as a third-row center (5-3-8, two game-winning goals). In general, Tampa lives from its depth and its secondary scoring, which is about the numbers of the bottom six striker Colton, Corey Perry (5-1-6), Brandon Hagel (1-3-4), Pat Maroon (2-1-3) or Pierre-Edouard Bellemare (2-0-2).
defense
The Rangers already benefited in the main round from a solid defense (2.49 goals conceded/game) and can rely on their defense in the playoffs (3.0 goals conceded/game) despite slightly higher numbers in this area. With Adam Fox New York has the highest-scoring defender in the 2022 playoffs (5-13-18). In general, the “young savages” carry them too K’Andre Miller (1-4-5) or Ryan Lindgren (1-3-4) contribute to offensive productivity. The mix in New York’s defense is right – not only in terms of young and old, but also in terms of offensive/defensive. That’s how convincing Jacob Trouba (9.3 hits/game, 5.1 blocks/game), Brad Schneider (6.6 hits/game, 3.7 blocks/game) or Justin Braun (3.1 hits/game, 2.8 blocks/game) with their shutdown skills.
However, the defense is also the showpiece of the Lightning, who only had to accept 2.45 goals/game in the 2022 playoffs and are difficult to crack. defense chief Victor Hedman (2-8-10) is one of the most complete defensemen in the NHL, possessing a hard shot, good build and an impressive physique (6’2”, 250 lbs). Incidentally, the latter applies to all Tampa defenders, who are on average 1.91 meters tall and weigh 98 kilograms. Accordingly, the Lightning have a lot of physique, range and checking power. player like Zach Bogosian (1.88 meters, 91 kilograms, 13 hits/game, 2.5 blocks/game), Erik Cernak (1.92 meters, 106 kilograms, 12.5 hits/game, 5.1 blocks/game) and Cal Foote (193 meters, 103 kilograms, 11.1 hits/game, 6.9 blocks/game) have double-digit checking numbers per game. When it comes to penalty kills, the Lightning (87.8 percent) are better positioned than the Rangers (80.5 percent).
goalkeeper
Here the fans can look forward to a top-class goalie duel, because with New Yorks Igor Shesterkin and Tampa Bays Andrei Vasilevskiy two elite goalkeepers face off.
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In 14 starts, Shesterkin has eight wins, 2.68 goals conceded/game and a 92.8 percent save rate. The 26-year-old Russian was even able to contribute offensively with three assists.
Vasilevskiy also recorded eight wins in eleven starts and was an almost impenetrable wall with a goals-against average of 2.22, a catch rate of 93.2 percent and one shutout. The 27-year-old Russian regularly surpasses himself, particularly in playoffs, and has recently set a new NHL record with six shutouts in series-deciding games.
X-Factor
The X factor in this series is definitely the two goalies. On the one hand Shesterkin, who at 1.85 meters and 83 kilograms has a rather aggressive and agile style, is technically excellent, has good rebound control, makes many demanding saves look easy and also comes into play as the first build-up player integrated.
On the other hand, Vasilevskiy, who, as a giant of 1.93 meters and weighing 103 kilograms, covers a lot of the goal, but at the same time is very agile and equipped with good reflexes and acts with his incredible calm and composure in stressful situations. Breaking through these walls is the ultimate challenge for attackers on both teams.
New York wins when…
…the defense also holds against the deep Lightning storm and Kreider continues to deliver goals on the assembly line
Tampa Bay wins when…
…Vasilevskiy preserves his form, the defense wears down the Rangers attackers and a way is found up front to crack Shesterkin.
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