Tampa wins the game 2-1. Tampa wins the series 4-2.

Game 6 proved to be the same as the last three with the Rangers struggling to get any traction against Tampa’s defense. Coach Gallant made an odd call of taking Kakko out, putting an injured Strome in, and Dryden Hunt back in for the first time this season. He also mixed up the lines with little results. He put the old lines back together in the second period.

Tampa was faster all game and the Rangers’ passing felt very off leading to a lot of playing catch up. Steven Stamkos scored first in the second period, on a shot that I think caught Igor by surprise. It’s one he usually has no problems stopping. So the desperation came even greater at that point but Frank Vatrano answered the call in the final minutes of the 3rd period.

He scored on the Rangers’ second powerplay (Tampa went 0-1) right off the face-off in Tampa’s zone that Vasileskiy completely missed. The rush of success and hope came to a screeching halt just 21 seconds later. Stamkos, having been the one in the penalty box, made up for it on the next play. He got a nice pass right in the center of the ice on the rush and he made his shot about 3 feet away from Igor. He caught the puck in his glove but the velocity made the puck roll around his glove before he could close the mitt. He fell out in the exactly right place for it to hit the passing Stamkos’ leg and bounced into the net. Probably the worst goal to lose such a big game by. It happened in about a second and because the Rangers couldn’t score a 5-on-5 goal, there was little they could do. Pulling the goalie for 5 on 6 bore no fruit.

A depressing defeat, another game that felt like a robbery. Igor did his best and is the only reason this game wasn’t a 7-1 blowout. Exhausted and hurt from playing so much playoff hockey in the past 6 weeks the Rangers had no more to give.

The Rangers have more gaps to fill to come back stronger next season, but it was a hell of a season. Now it’s left to Colorado to stop Tampa from becoming a dynasty by keeping them from winning three Stanley Cups in a row. It should be a good series. Tampa’s biggest advantage is in net and they will be far and away the best team Colorado will play in the playoffs. It’ll be a challenge.