Flash Points: Lightning overwhelmed in 3rd period, forced into Game 7
TAMPA, Fla. -- Turns out, the Tampa Bay Lightning must prove that they can make it in New York once more.
The New York Rangers kept their season alive with a 7-3 victory over the Lightning on Tuesday at Amalie Arena in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals. The Rangers received first-period goals from center Derick Brassard and defenseman Keith Yandle to jump to a 2-0 lead, and they closed with a five-goal outburst from Brassard (two), centers J.T. Miller, James Sheppard plus winger Rick Nash in the third.
With the result, the Rangers force a Game 7 at Madison Square Garden to decide the best-of-seven series.
Like in their Game 4 loss, the Lightning weren't short on chances early. They outshot the Rangers 29-18 through the first two periods, but New York goaltender Henrik Lundqvist was strong enough to limit Tampa Bay to scores from winger Ryan Callahan 17:20 into the first period and two from winger Nikita Kucherov, one 7:50 into the third and the other 13:21 into the third. Lundqvist closed with 36 saves.
Lightning goaltender Ben Bishop, meanwhile, finished with 21 stops before being pulled in the third period for reserve Andrei Vasilevskiy.
It will be interesting to see how the Lightning try to recover in time for their second Game 7 of these Stanley Cup Playoffs, with the first coming against the Detroit Red Wings in the Eastern Conference quarterfinals. Tuesday stood as a golden opportunity for them to clinch a spot in the Stanley Cup Final for the second time in franchise history and gain valuable rest until the Western Conference Final between the Anaheim Ducks and Chicago Blackhawks is decided.
Instead, their season will come down to another Game 7, with the Rangers happy to drag the Lightning back to New York with them.
THE TURNING POINT
Miller started the third-period barrage, giving the Rangers a 3-1 lead. For the Lightning, life went downhill from there.
THE DIFFERENCE MAKER
Lundqvist was big when the Rangers needed him in the first two periods. Then he was given a bit of a breather in the third with the offensive help.
STAT OF THE GAME
The Rangers' dominated the third period with four goals. They skated liked they wanted a Game 7.
WHAT'S NEXT
The Lightning face the Rangers in Game 7 at 8 p.m. Friday at Madison Square Garden.
You can follow Andrew Astleford on Twitter @aastleford or email him at aastleford@gmail.com.
