Saturday, May 16th, the stage is set for one of the most anticipated series in hockey for New York and Tampa Bay fans alike. The first two games are scheduled to take place in New York at MSG, where Henrik Lundqvist, the Rangers most essential player, averaging a .944 save percentage, only surrendering an impressive 1.6 goals per contest.
Tampa Bay’s offense will prove to be a threat, as it is highly regarded as the “Best offense in hockey” with juggernauts like Valtteri Flippula, Tyler Johnson, Steven Stamkos, and former Ranger captain Ryan Callahan.
The story behind the two teams only makes the game more enticing, as the Rangers made a nimble comeback against now ousted Washington Capitals, who originally led 3-1 against the Rangers, only to secede 3 more games, letting the Rangers clinch the series 3-4 in a resurgence unforeseen by anybody.
Contrarily, the Tampa Bay Lightning led their previous series against the Montreal Canadiens 3-1, before stealing a victory in game 6 to move a step closer to the Stanley Cup.
Both sides are experiencing some form of disadvantage coming into this series, as NY Ranger, Mats Zuccarello, currently suffering a head injury, is still listed on the DL, while Tampa Bay’s Ryan Callahan, who had to receive an emergency appendectomy, is still recovering, and whether he will be playing in the series first game against the Rangers is still to be determined by Tampa Bay head coach, Jon Cooper.
The odds for tomorrow nights game are split:
Rangers: 130
Tampa Bay: 110
With predictions having New York clinch the series in six games.
Photo: Jason DeCrow/Associated Press
