Last night, the Rangers defeated 3-1 at Madison Square Garden in the Eastern Conference playoffs. One goal in seven-and-a-half periods is all they deserved.
Again, as in the prior four games, they got absolutely dominated in the third period, even though they only gave up one goal late followed by an empty-netter.
The Lightning kept things tight in the first two periods, but they were sloppier than in the two games they won in Tampa, giving the Rangers opportunity.
Ryan Lindgren intercepted Zach Bogosian's pass along the boards, surprising Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy.
However? Zilch. When it came time to win, the Lightning again covered the Rangers. They scored 56% of 3rd-quarter goals.
This after collecting 78% in Game 4's third or 85% in Game 3. Or 72% in Game 2, despite Igor Shesterkin's win.
Maybe the Rangers are tired after playing every other day for six weeks. They caused it, though.
Gerard Gallant still hasn't gotten on to the Bolts accelerating in the third, forechecking K'Andre Miller and Jacob Trouba into turnovers.