Tampa wins game 3, 3-2. Rangers lead the series 2-1

It’s been so long since the Rangers lost, the disappointment of a loss has been foreign. Losing a game isn’t a surprise though as sweeping Tampa in 4 straight games was unlikely. With Tampa facing a possible 3 game deficit, they played their first game at home with a greater sense of urgency.

Right at the start, Tampa skated faster and more aggressively. Races for the puck were way faster, and more competitive. They finished their checks and got into Igor’s space much more. The Rangers never dominated the game for a length of time compared to the last 2 games. Vasilevskiy also found his game, not allowing any soft goals. The first period ended scoreless, with Tampa having a slight edge in shots on goal.

The Rangers took the lead in the second period, first with a powerplay goal from Zibanejad (high blocker side one-timer) followed by another powerplay goal from Krieder (flip in from a Zibanejad rebound). That 2 goal lead didn’t last long as Tampa scored their own powerplay goal that ended the period 2-1. In the beginning minutes of the 3rd, Tampa scored another powerplay goal to tie it.

Tampa dominated the 3rd period with their shots on goal taking off to unacceptable levels. With time running down, it felt like the game, if it went to OT or not, would be won with a just barely there goal. That’s what happened with just over 40 seconds left in the game where a series of passes alluded the Rangers and Igor just missed blocking the near shot on goal.

Another game was largely decided by penalties. There was a lot on both sides. The Rangers were 2-5 and Tampa went 2-4. The Rangers’ special teams needed to keep that second goal off the board. The big thing I noticed was that in the 3rd period, the Rangers’ forechecking practically stopped. There were many back-to-back dumping the puck to get a line change plays that meant Tampa didn’t have to be on defense for long stretches of time. The Rangers would keep getting gassed on defense and needed a line change to do anything on offense. But they frequently never got the puck back after dumping it into Tampa’s zone. That titled the advantage too much in Tampa’s favor.

It was another close game. The magic number to win remains 3 goals. Lessons can be learned from this game, one I think the Rangers will run with so they don’t repeat game 3. Trouba had 3 penalties alone I think and that has to be avoided. One of them he had to take to stop a breakaway, but penalties are way too dangerous to take. Being on the powerplay has to be an advantage for New York. Being up one game is still good but now Tampa has gotten confidence back, and Vasilevskiy playing like his true self raises the bar. His team won’t be second-guessing him now. My biggest concern is that this could be the turning point where Tampa has shed the rust from their lengthy time off and the Rangers’ lack of a break is catching up with them. The Rangers slowing down and Tampa speeding up would be a big problem.

Cue up another nerve-wracking game tomorrow.