5 Takeaways from Lightning vs. Rangers Game Six

For the fifth time in franchise history and third year in a row, the Tampa Bay Lightning will play for the Stanley Cup. The Lightning have advanced to the Stanley Cup Final where they will face off against the Colorado Avalanche starting Wednesday night in Denver.

The Lightning got here by winning four straight games against the New York Rangers after going into an early 2-0 hole. Tampa Bay won game six thanks to a pair of goals from Steven Stamkos as the Lightning moved to within four wins of immortality.

Let’s break down what happened in game six.

5. The Rangers Ran Out of Gas

As this series wore on, we finally saw the effects of the Lightning’s rest ahead of the series and the Rangers going the distance in rounds one and two. After letting the Lightning back in the series in game three, they simply could not keep up with the Lightning any longer after they finally found their game again.

The Lightning’s confidence continued to rise, and the Rangers ran out of answers. In the four straight losses, the Rangers only managed to score one goal at five-on-five. Between a scalding hot powerplay and some legendary goaltending performances, the Rangers managed to stay afloat, but it was not enough to keep up with the champs.

In game six, the Rangers never seemed to be in any sort of control. They were never able to plant any sort of seed of doubt. It is tough to have anything left in the tank after playing two consecutive seven game series and they ultimately ran into a better team who had fresher legs and was rounding into form.

4. Hagel-Cirelli-Killorn

The trio of Brandon Hagel, Anthony Cirelli and Alex Killorn had their handprints all over this series. They became a matchup nightmare for the Rangers top line, especially in Tampa where the Lightning could dictate the matchups.

Though they have been more relied on for their shutdown abilities, these guys spent a ton of time in the offensive zone in game six. They created a ton of chances and were dominant while cycling the puck but just were not rewarded for it. They had just one goal between them in the series and that came with an empty net, but the impact they had as a shutdown line was huge.

They will have a huge test ahead with the high-flying Colorado Avalanche. They will present a great challenge especially with Tampa Bay starting out on the road and not being able to control the matchups.

2. Andrei Vasilevskiy is Better

This series was hyped as a goaltending duel for the ages and rightfully so. The two best goalies on the planet. It did not live up to the hype in the first game or two, but it sure did from then on. Ever since hearing the “Igor’s Better” chants in game two, Vasilevskiy saved 106 of the 111 pucks that came his way over the next four games.

It is truly special when you have a goaltender like that whom you can feel so confident in. Game six was no different despite not adding another series clinching shutout. Vasilevskiy made 20 saves on 21 Ranger shots in the game with the only goal coming on the powerplay.

Vasilevskiy will not have quite the benefit of rest that he had coming into this series which really is probably a good thing. He’ll have to keep the hot streak going if the Lightning are going to knock off the top team from the West but the clear edge in the net in the series is with the Lightning.

1. Stamkos Takes Over

He has been criticized in past years for his unavailability or lack of production in the playoffs. But Steven Stamkos has now entered the conversation for the Conn Smyth Trophy with a two-goal performance in game six.

Stamkos had seven points in the six-game series including five goals. He now has nine goals in this playoffs, a career high. The celebrations said it all for him as a player who has contributed as a significant leader in the past two cup runs but has not had the numbers of Brayden Point and Nikita Kucherov.

In game six, it felt like Stamkos just went to that next level. He took over the game and was skating and was around the net and the scoring chances all night. This will go down as probably his second most famous playoff performance to date. Second only to his heroic, legendary goal in his only game of the 2020 Stanley Cup Final.