Conference Finals Game Four: Split in Tampa

After two straight games of giving up six goals to a potent Tampa Bay Lightning squad, the Rangers are in desperate need to even the series before heading back to New York. The Bolts won in overtime in Game 3 after the Rangers came back to tie the game twice. The game was an extreme disappointment for the Rangers, who blew a 2-0 lead and put up five goals in a loss. Simply put, if you have Lundqvist in net and you put up five goals, you need to win.

Team defense has been the story of the series, as the Rangers have blown coverages, haven’t back checked, and haven’t gap controlled at all in the last two games. Ben Bishop has been shaky, and the Tampa defense has been exploited, but in order…