The Game 7 hero of the 2nd round of the playoffs for the
New York Rangers, Derek Stepan, rode his hot hand into Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals yesterday afternoon with the first goal of the game, helping the Rangers win Game 1 by a 2-1 final score vs. the Tampa Bay Lightning.
For a refresher…in Game 7 of the 2nd round of the playoffs vs. the Washington Capitals, it was Stepan who scored the game winning, series clinching goal in overtime, sending the Rangers to their 3rd Eastern Conference Finals in the last 4 seasons.