Stanley Cup Playoffs Day 29: New York Rangers catch Tampa Bay Lightning off guard with blowout Game 1 win
It took all of 40 minutes and 30 seconds for the New York Rangers to score more goals on the Tampa Bay Lightning than the Florida Panthers did in four games. The Lightning may have been well-rested, but they were well-rusted as well, as a Rangers team fresh off a Game 7 win on Monday took advantage of an out-of-sync Bolts team to win 6-2.
Chris Kreider set the tone of the game just 71 seconds into the first, scoring off a nice slap pass from Mika Zibanejad to give the Rangers an early 1-0 lead.
71 seconds in and the @NYRangers are on the board thanks to Chris Kreider! 🗽 #StanleyCup
🇺🇸: @ESPN ➡️ https://t.co/hFwYEYldCa
🇨🇦: @Sportsnet ➡️ https://t.co/uuz1sz1pM3 pic.twitter.com/Tja0Ns8Djy
Despite the blowout nature of the game, it was back-and-forth at first, with Steven Stamkos scoring later in the first to tie it. Frank Vatrano gave the Rangers a 2-1 lead in the second, but 42 seconds later, it was Stamkos’ turn to make a nice setup, as he pulled off a spin shot towards Igor Shesterkin, and Ondrej Palat was there to knock home the rebound to tie the game again.
Ondrej Palat answers 42 seconds later! ⚡️ #StanleyCup
🇺🇸: @ESPN ➡️ https://t.co/hFwYEYldCa
🇨🇦: @Sportsnet ➡️ https://t.co/uuz1sz1pM3 pic.twitter.com/t1CcONPNaZ
After that, it was all Rangers. Filip Chytil scored two later in the second to give New York a 4-2 lead into the dressing room, and then Artemi Panarin and Zibanejad scored early in the third to crack it wide open, giving the Rangers a 6-2 lead, which held for the final score.
Along with Chytil’s two goals, Panarin, Vatrano, Zibanejad, and Adam Fox all had multi-point nights for the Rangers, while only Stamkos had two points for the Lightning. Shesterkin stopped 34 of 36 shots to help give the Rangers the win.