Everything is eventually going to come to an end and yesterday, after 18 consecutive wins after losses in the playoffs, the Tampa Bay Lightning’s streak finally ended with a 3-2 loss to the New York Rangers in Game Two. Many people expected it to happen during this playoffs, given the big changes to the Lightning’s roster compared with previous winning seasons and Brayden Point’s absence. It’s still a big achievement that the Lightning managed to postpone it until the Eastern Conference Final. The Lightning, however, have now placed themselves in a position where mistakes are almost not allowed. They’re heading back home with a 2-0 deficit in the series.
In some aspects, the yesterday’s Lightning’s performance was better than in Game One: they managed to open the scoring with Nikita Kucherov’s goal on the power play, but couldn’t maintain their advantage, allowing the Rangers to took the lead by the end of the first period. The Rangers continued ramping up pressure in the second period, but Andrei Vasilevskiy kept the Bolts in the game. Mika Zibanejad made it 3-1 early in the third period, the Lightning managed to cut the lead to one goal after pulling Vasilevskiy with three minutes left in the period and Steven Stamkos came close to tying the game, but Igor Shesterkin stopped the puck [Raw Charge]
For the first time in their last 11 playoff series the Tampa Bay Lightning have lost two games in a row. Mika Zibanejad’s third period goal proved to be the difference as the New York Rangers take a 2-0 lead in the series with a 3-2 victory over the Lightning. K’Andre Miller and Kaapo Kakko scored the other goals for the Rangers while Nikita Kucherov and Nick Paul had the tallies for the Lightning. Igor Shesterkin stopped 29 of 31 while Andrei Vasilevskiy made 25 saves for the Lightning.
Jon Cooper talks about turnovers, which were their biggest issue in this game, and how he believes that they still have better in them.
Jon Cooper talks about the @TBLightning 3rd period, the puck management and turnovers, the Rangers play, and more. #GoBolts pic.twitter.com/zVmjdo4Alj
— Bally Sports Florida & Bally Sports Sun (@BallySportsFL) June 4, 2022
Jon Cooper also isn’t expecting Brayden Point to return for the next game.
Jon Cooper said they’re not expecting a “miraculous” recovery and return from Brayden Point for Game 3.
— Joe Smith (@JoeSmithTB) June 4, 2022
Nick Paul and Corey Perry also agreed that turnovers hurt them really bad in this game and that they need to keep momentum from the third period.
Nick Paul and Corey Perry talk about what the @TBLightning did better in the 3rd, puck management and turn over, building momentum, the urgency in Game 3 and more. #GoBolts
Watch ➡️ https://t.co/5ExT2soZYL pic.twitter.com/RzDL3QkPNY
— Bally Sports Sun: Lightning (@BallyLightning) June 4, 2022
Steven Stamkos talks about coming across some adverse moments and not executing the proper way, which had gotten them two Stanley Cups.
Steven Stamkos and Victor Hedman talk about the @TBLightning Game 2 loss, the 3rd period play, what they can build off of and more. #GoBolts pic.twitter.com/xI7DY9Hog0
— Bally Sports Sun: Lightning (@BallyLightning) June 4, 2022
Yesterday’s Game
Tampa Bay Lightning 2, New York Rangers 3 — NYR leads 2-0
Today’s Game
Colorado Avalanche @ Edmonton Oilers — COL leads 2-0
8:00 PM ET; TNT, CBC, TVAS, SN
Hockey News
Carey Price has been awarded the 2022 Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy for returning to the team after undergoing offseason knee surgery and missing first 74 regular season games.
For his perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to the game, Carey Price takes home the 2021-22 Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy! #NHLAwards pic.twitter.com/DUfdBbwlpt
— NHL (@NHL) June 3, 2022
The full breakdown of voting. The Lightning’s nominee Alex Killorn received 16 points and one first-place vote.
Here is the tabulation for the 2022 Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy, voted on by 183 @ThePHWA members.
We take a lot of pride in telling these @NHL and @NHLPA stories each year in our local markets. The proof is in 31 of the 32 deserving nominees receiving at least one vote. ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/bSklcDT0lc
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) June 4, 2022
Several Boston Bruins players will be out for months after undergoing surgeries yesterday.
#NHLBruins say Charlie McAvoy, Matt Grzelcyk and Mike Reilly will all be out for months after undergoing surgeries on Friday.
McAvoy could be out until December. pic.twitter.com/uTW6IhOZsI
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) June 3, 2022
