Dominic Moore was called for a penalty late in the third period, putting the Tampa Bay Lightning on a power play with the game tied at 1. After the New York Rangers killed the penalty off, Moore returned from the penalty box, only to tip in the game-winning goal with 2:25 left for a 2-1 game-1 win for the Rangers on Saturday afternoon.
They are now three wins away from returning to the Stanley Cup Finals for the second straight year, as they look to avenge last year's loss to the Los Angeles Kings. Moore's goal occurred just 30 seconds after he left the penalty box. Kevin Hayes threw the puck in front of the net and good things happened. The Rangers have now played 15 consecutive one-goal playoff games dating back to last season.
New York recorded their ninth win of this postseason, seven of which have come by a 2-1 score. Before this game, the Lightning had won all three games between the two teams this season by a combined score of 15-7. It was also the first loss for Ben Bishop in his career against the Rangers, as he was previously 8-0-0 against New York.
Derek Stepan, who sent the Rangers past the Capitals in game 7, scored the first goal of the game in the second period. Henrik Lundqvist made 23 saves in the win. Ondrej Palat tied the game with a power-play goal early in the third period, while Bishop made 28 saves.
The Lightning had plenty of opportunities to tie and take the lead late, as they went on the power play three separate times in the third. Moore's penalty was the third of the three, but Tampa Bay only got one shot on the man advantage, and gave up a 3-on-1 break to the Rangers.
Game 2 of the series will take place tonight at Madison Square Garden.
They are now three wins away from returning to the Stanley Cup Finals for the second straight year, as they look to avenge last year's loss to the Los Angeles Kings. Moore's goal occurred just 30 seconds after he left the penalty box. Kevin Hayes threw the puck in front of the net and good things happened. The Rangers have now played 15 consecutive one-goal playoff games dating back to last season.
New York recorded their ninth win of this postseason, seven of which have come by a 2-1 score. Before this game, the Lightning had won all three games between the two teams this season by a combined score of 15-7. It was also the first loss for Ben Bishop in his career against the Rangers, as he was previously 8-0-0 against New York.
Derek Stepan, who sent the Rangers past the Capitals in game 7, scored the first goal of the game in the second period. Henrik Lundqvist made 23 saves in the win. Ondrej Palat tied the game with a power-play goal early in the third period, while Bishop made 28 saves.
The Lightning had plenty of opportunities to tie and take the lead late, as they went on the power play three separate times in the third. Moore's penalty was the third of the three, but Tampa Bay only got one shot on the man advantage, and gave up a 3-on-1 break to the Rangers.
Game 2 of the series will take place tonight at Madison Square Garden.
