Here are five things the Rangers must do in order to defeat the Lightning in their best-of-seven Eastern Conference final:
1. Score more
The Rangers were a dynamic offense in the regular season, finishing second in the league averaging 3.02 goals per game. But with the tightened style of play and the referees’ swallowed whistles, the Blueshirts are down to 2.00 goals per game through the first 12 games of the playoffs.
The Penguins were decimated with injuries and played a very conservative game in the first round, while the Capitals lacked offensive depth throughout their lineup.