Lightning vs. Rangers Predictions schedu
The champs from the Bay against the kids from Broadway. That's what we have in the 2022 Eastern Conference finals.The Lightning and the Rangers square off in the conference finals after winning their respective second-round series.Tampa Bay is making its third consecutive conference finals appearance while New York is in the third round for the first time since 2015.The opponent in that series? The Lightning, who defeated the Rangers in seven games to reach the franchise's Brandon Thompson Jerseysecond Stanley Cup Final.The Lightning have had arguably the most impre sive showing in any series thus far, sweeping the Presidents' Trophy-winning Panthers. Florida's high-flying offense managed just three goals in four games and the power play failed to capitalize on a single opportunity. Tampa Bay could not be more confident heading into the conference finals.At the helm of the offense is Nikita Kucherov, who continues to step up his game in the postseason. He has 15 points in 11 games entering the conference finals.On the other side is a Rangers team that continues to show its resiliency. After falling down 3-2 in the series to the Carolina, New York won Games 6 and 7, in the proce s handing the Hurricanes their first home lo s of the postseason with a 6-2win in the final game of the series.Leading the way is goalie Igor Shesterkin, who looked a lot more like his regular-season self than he did in the first round against the Penguins. He allowed just 12goals on 244shots against in the series vs. the Hurricanes. On offense, Mika Zibanajed continues to be fantastic as the team's top-line center. He has recorded19 points in 14 gamesso far in these playoffs.The Rangers swept the season series against Sam Hubbard Jerseythe Lightning, winning all three contest, but the playoffs are a different animal.SCHEDULE:Here's everything you need to know about the Eastern Conference finals between the Lightning and Rangers:Key storyline: Can Igor Shesterkin match Andrei Vasilevskiy in the crease?The best goalie in the regular season against the best Carl Lawson Jerseygoalie in these playoffs: This series will most certainly come down to the two men in the crease.After a shaky first series, Vasilevskiy was stellar in the second round against the Panthers, limiting Florida to just three goals against in four games.The 2021 Conn Smythe winner is 8-3 this postseason with a2.22 goals-against average and .932 save percentage. His 11.0 is second behind only Shesterkin, and he is coming off a series-clinching shutout of the Panthers.Shesterkin followed a similar pattern. He did not play great against the Penguins in the first round but bounced back with a solid showing against the Hurricanes. He enters the third round with an 8-5 record, a 2.68 GAA and a .928 save percentage. Shesterkin's 11.4 goals saved above expected is the best in these playoffs.This season, Shesterkin was strong when playing Tampa Bay. In the three wins for New York, the goalie had a 1.30 GAA, .958 save percentage and a 38-save shutout.The Lightning can win in multiple ways, but forGeorge Iloka Jersey the most part, the Rangers rely on Shesterkin to pull out victories. He needs to bring his A-game in every contest in his series for New York to advance.MORE:Lightning vs. Rangers schedule, TV channelsDate SiteTime (ET)TVWed., June 1at New York8 p.m.ESPN, Sportsnet, CBC, TVA SportsFri., June 3at New York8 p.m.ESPN, Sportsnet, CBC, TVA SportsSun., June 5at Tampa Bay3 p.m.ESPN, Sportsnet, CBC, TVA SportsTue., June 7at Tampa Bay8 p.m.ESPN, Sportsnet, CBC, TVA Sports*Thu., June 9at New YorkTBDESPN, Sportsnet, CBC, TVA Sports*Sat., June 11at Tampa BayTBDESPN, Sportsnet, CBC, TVA Sports*Tue., June 14at New YorkTBDESPN, Sportsnet, CBC, TVA Sports* If nece saryLightning vs. Rangers oddsLightning:-196Rangers:+142Odds provided by MORE:Lightning Geno Atkins Jerseyvs. RangerspredictionThe Rangers were outplayed for the most part against both the Penguins and the Hurricanes, but thanks to Shesterkin and their special teams, they were able to survive and win back-to-back Game 7s.That strategy is not going to fly against Tampa Bay. This is an experienced group that obviously knows how to win, and if New York allows Tampa Bay to control the game, there is no way it will be as lucky as it was in the first two rounds.Prediction:Lightning in five
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