The Tampa Bay Lightning entered their Eastern Conference finals matchup against the New York Rangers after a well-executed sweep of the Florida Panthers and as a well-rested team, getting nine days off between series.
Two games into this series, the Lightning have failed to execute offensively, looking rusty and out of sync against a Rangers team that has found its stride after two straight seven-game battles. New York routed the Lightning 6-2 in Game 1. While Game 2 was closer, the Rangers were able to play at their tempo and kept Tampa Bay on its heels during a 3-2 victory to build a 2-0 series lead.