N.Y. Rangers: Game 3 - Get Back to What Worked

From the desk of:  RAISE GRESCH WITH THE GREATS

2014-2015

* * * STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS * * *

EASTERN CONFERENCE FINALS

GAME THREE

New York Rangers

vs.

Tampa Bay Lightning

FROM

Century Village Arena

in too hot Florida

NEW YORK RANGERS: Lessons learned over first two games.

In Game One, the Blue shirts did a great job initiating physical play.  In Game Two they did not because they were too busy killing off 6 penalties.

In Game One, the Blue shirts did well to get Ben Bishop away from his set position, and getting him to move laterally.  In Game Two they did not.  The Rangers need to get his skates and head moving in different directions, otherwise he is literally too big to get beaten straight on - (with Alex Ovechkin's slap shot, maybe).

Here comes the big one:

In games One and Two, the Lightning defense demonstrated little inclination to push Rangers players out from in front and away from Bishop.  Therefore, the Rangers can seemingly set up in front any time they chose with little to no resistance from Tampa.  Yet, they seemed reluctant to establish position in Game Two, particularly during their failed 1st period 5 on 3 opportunity, prior to Martin St. Louis' turnover.

Mission: Come out of Tampa with at least a split, but try like hell to reestablish home ice advantage.

We'll talk more later...



Mike