In the earlier part of the regular season, the Rangers were absolutely demolished by the Lightning in all three match ups. The Bolts outscored the Blueshirts, 5-1, at Madison Square Garden in their first meeting. Then 4-3, in Tampa. Then 6-3, back in New York.
But that was the regular season and this is the Stanley Cup Playoffs. A lot has changed since their last game together and the stakes are much higher.
Will the Rangers be able to gain momentum early on in this series against the Lightning to prove it?
The team’s defense is stronger now than it’s ever been this year; much stronger than when it faced the firing squad that was the Lightning.