![]() ![]() If New York were to win the series, Igor Shesterkin would have to outduel Andrei Vasilevskiy, and for large stretches of the series he's done exactly that. The Rangers may simply be out of cards to play. The Lightning always had the larger margin of error because of their talent and continuity, and the series is clearly theirs for the taking now. The road team finally emerged with a key victory, and the Rangers could be facing impending doom. Do the Rangers have anything left in the tank? Remember Thursday evening as the Mikhail Sergachev Game. As historians and hockey fans alike look back on the Lightning’s reign, there will be certain games that stand out. He has rarely, if ever, complained about his minutes or his role, even as one of the league’s ascendent talents on the blue line. It’s hard to believe at times, but Sergachev is just 23 years old, and would profile as a sure-fire top-pair defenseman on a lesser team. Sergachev has been far more than a bit player in the consecutive Cup runs, and in some ways he’s the bridge between the team’s dynastic present and uncertain future. If the Lightning advance to the Final, it’s because their unique combination of superstars and proven depth have an innate sense of when to rise to the occasion. In addition, Lightning are attempting to erase a 2-0 series deficit in a conference final for the second time in franchise history.There may be a tendency to attribute Sergachev’s brace as a byproduct of shooting luck, but he was the best skater on the ice for the Lightning with four shots, while the Lightning controlled over 68 percent of the expected goals at 5-on-5 with him on the ice, per Natural Stat Trick. Tampa Bay has a 8-2 all-time record when leading 3-2 in a best-of-seven series. Now the Lightning will have a chance to advance to the the Stanley Cup Final for a third consecutive season on their home ice in Game 6, which will take place on Saturday. The veteran defenseman finished Thursday's pivotal contest with a goal and an assist. Prior to Game 5, Sergachev had just four assists throughout the entire postseason. The Lightning defenseman shot one through the legs of Rangers forward Kevin Rooney and the puck somehow got past Shesterkin for the second strange tally of the evening. Sergachev, who was incredibly active throughout Game 5, scored the game-tying goal to knot the contest 1-1 at the 17:34 mark of the second period. The Rangers defenseman last scored in Game 5 of the team's opening round series against the Pittsburgh Penguins. It was Lindgren's second goal of the postseason and his first in the Eastern Conference Final. Lightning defenseman Zach Bogosian was attempting to clear the zone, but Lindgren was able to pinch on the play and score through the traffic to give the Rangers a 1-0 lead midway through the second period. Lindgren scored from the boards and was able to flip the puck right over goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy's blocker. ![]() Over the past three games, Palat has registered three goals and two assists, which includes a three-point performance in Tuesday's Game 4 victory.Īfter a scoreless first period, the Rangers opened the scoring courtesy of defenseman Ryan Lindgren.
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