After allowing 10 goals in the last two games, Tampa Bay Lightning goalie Ben Bishop managed to regain his form in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Final. He made 26 saves en route to a 2-0 win, and looked a lot better than he did in Games 3 and 4. The shutout is Bishop’s second of the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Bishop was named the game’s second star for the effort, the top honors going to captain Steven Stamkos.
Stamkos, who has now scored in each of his last four games, assisted on Valtteri Filppula‘s winning goal in the second period. The Markham, Ontario native then added a powerplay goal of his own a few minutes later, banging in a pass from Ondrej Palat, who was set up beautifully by Nikita Kucherov. Tampa’s captain has matched a team playoff record with his four-game goal streak, equalling Martin St. Louis‘ 2003 run and Vincent Lecavalier in 2007.
The Lightning’s “Triplets” line, consisting of Palat, Kucherov and Tyler Johnson, was surprisingly quiet in Game 5, after contributing immensely throughout this postseason (including combining for 4 goals in Game 3). Palat and Kucherov both assisted on Stamkos’ goal, although it was on the powerplay, without Johnson. Tampa fans are likely pleased to see offense coming from other players.
Tampa has performed impressively on the road this postseason, despite barely cracking the top 20 in the NHL for regular season their road record of 18-16-7. They have now won two away games in each of their three playoff series, all of which in buildings that are notoriously difficult to play in – Detroit, Montreal and New York. The atmosphere in Madison Square Garden was drained in Game 5, after the Lightning repeatedly stifled scoring chances. If playing away from home was a concern, it isn’t now, as the Bolts have shown they can be dominant anywhere.
Of course, there are two teams in every game, and the Rangers did themselves no favors at the Garden. New York did not look like the dominant President’s Trophy champions at all. They failed to capitalize on four powerplay opportunities (managing just four shots with a man advantage), and looked shaky defensively. If not for goalie Henrik Lundqvist, the Lightning could have had several more goals, especially when Keith Yandle mishandled the puck in front of the net, forcing a stellar save off of Stamkos.
With the win, Tampa Bay now lead the best-of-seven series 3-2, and will host Game 6 on Tuesday, at home in Amalie Arena. The Rangers are no strangers to being on the brink of elimination, though, after rallying from a 3-1 deficit against the Washington Capitals in Round 2 this season, as well as against the Pittsburgh Penguins last year. The Lightning will attempt to make it to the Stanley Cup Final for the first time since 2004, when they won the Cup over the Calgary Flames.
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