Lightning finally struck the Rangers.
The Blueshirts had the chance to take a commanding 3-0 lead in the series on Sunday, but fell to the defending Stanley Cup champs, 3-2, in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals.
Although the Rangers held a 2-0 lead in the second period, the Lightning tied the game up and would go on to win with 41.6 seconds remaining in the third on a goal scored by Tampa Bay winger Ondrej Palat.
The series now stands at 2-1, with the Rangers returning to Amalie Arena on Tuesday night for Game 4.
To discuss the heartbreaking loss and looking ahead to Game 4 — not to mention the rest of the series — we bring you a new episode of the “Up In the Blue Seats” podcast with Ron Duguay and Mollie Walker.
The Post’s Larry Brooks drops by to break down what he saw in Game 3 on Sunday, and where he sees this series going.
Up In The Blue Seats Podcast with Ron Duguay, Mollie Walker & Jake Brown
- GAME 3 LOSS: The Lightning played with desperation in Game 3. The Rangers are playing well enough to win but got a couple of tough bounces.
- CAPTAIN KREIDER: Showing leadership in his postgame comments, Kreider took responsibility for Tampa Bay’s game-winning goal in the final minute, answering on behalf of Mika Zibanejad. Kreider continues to look like a captain.
- LIGHTNING ON IGOR: Gerard Gallant was not happy with the way the Lightning have been interfering with Igor Shesterkin. Lightning are doing it intentionally to throw Shesterkin off his game. Coach Gallant is trying to protect his goalie and believes officials should be calling it more.
- GAME 4/REST OF SERIES: Jacob Trouba and some of the Rangers need to play smarter and commit fewer penalties. Trouba’s penalties led to two of the three Lightning goals. If the Rangers can win Tuesday, they set themselves up in a good position to win the series and go to the Stanley Cup Finals. It’s still unclear if Ryan Strome will be able to play or not on Tuesday after suffering a lower-body injury.
Larry Brooks Interview NY Post Hall of Fame hockey columnist
- RANGERS CHANGES: Get the puck in deep. Work the puck low. They need to spend more time in the Tampa zone.
- STROME: If he doesn’t play in Game 4, it changes the dynamic.
- IGOR: Doesn’t think there is an effort to hurt Igor, but they are trying to get him off his game.
- MOTTE: Has been a revelation for this team. Would be key for them to sign him this offseason.
SUBSCRIBE ON:#
4
Catch up on all episodes of “Up In The Blue Seats,” a New York Rangers podcast, by subscribing to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.