Kim Klement – USA TODAY SPORTS
The New York Rangers are no strangers to adversity. Having to come back from a 3-1 series deficit to beat the Washington Capitals and advance to the Eastern Conference Finals showed us that this team has what it takes to defy odds and survive amidst hardships and playoff pressure. However, as they head into Game 4 of the ECF trailing the series 2-1 against the Tampa Bay Lightning, the Rangers have reason to worry as they appear to have lost the identity that got them back within arms length of their second straight Stanley Cup Final. If the Rangers aren’t able to get back to their old ways, they may be watching the Final from home this year.
In their past two games since winning Game 1 of the ECF 2-1 against the Lightning, the Rangers have strayed from that which has given them so much regular season and playoff success this year. Finishing the regular season with the league’s 3rd best goals against average (2.28, trailing only the Montreal Canadians and the Chicago Blackhawks) made us accustomed to watching the Rangers being able to win low-scoring games. In fact, this is what makes them so good.
All of New York’s nine playoff wins have been decided by just a goal, and this is despite averaging just 2.2 goals a game. Being able to win such games is often what will separate a deep playoff run from a short-lived appearance, and with that being said, the last two games of the ECF have shown that the Rangers’ inability to keep games low-scoring may put their playoff lives in jeopardy.
In their last seven periods of play (including overtime in Game 3) the Rangers have given up 12 goals, and this comes after giving up a total of 13 goals in their 8 previous games. Given that the Rangers typically have a bit of trouble scoring, it’s crucial that they’re able to keep games low-scoring. Their recent struggles can’t all be put on goaltender Henrik Lundqvist, who has been stellar in these playoffs with the exception of the last two games. As a team, they’ve given up four power play goals in the last two games and gave up 40 shots on goal in Game 3. Such traits will need to change if the Rangers want to reclaim control of this series.
Heading into Game 4, Tampa Bay not only has the series lead but they seem to have all the momentum. The Lighting were the NHL’s best team at home this season (where they went 32-8-1) and they’ll have a chance to send the series back to New York with a commanding 3-1 lead. Being able to steal a game on the road and even the series back at two games apiece may be New York’s last hope. We’ve seen them come back from a 3-1 deficit before, but the way they’re playing now certainly won’t allow them to repeat that feat.
