How Impressive Was This Ranger Win Last Night In Game 1?

I was both very surprised and impressed with the New York Rangers last night in there dominating 6-2 win over the two time defending Stanley Cup champion Tampa Bay Lightning.  From start to finish, the Rangers looked like the superior team offensively and defensively.  They out skated Tampa all game long and were the more physical team as well.  You rarely ever see Andrei Vasilevskiy give up six goals in one game.  The Lightning only allowed three goals in their entire series against Florida, and the Rangers scored four goals in two periods against them last night.  But it is only one game.  Here is my quick take on this from the Times Union:

It’s only one game, but what a statement by the New York Rangers in Game One of their Eastern Conference Final against Tampa Bay. So much for the Rangers being tired after coming off Monday’s Game 7 win over Carolina. Tampa had 9 days off after sweeping Florida, and they looked rusty. Maybe they took the Rangers lightly on Wednesday, thinking they could go through the motions and still win. You will see a different Tampa team on Friday at MSG, because the defending champions could not have played much worse.

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MJ and I discussed Game 1 earlier this morning right here on Big Board Sports.  Below is our full conversation on this.

I truly believe the Lightning will bounce back and make this a highly competitive series.  However, if the Rangers play anything like they did last night, than this won't be a series at all.