The Tampa Bay Lightning will try to improve in a number of areas as they hope to avoid a 2-0 hole to the New York Rangers in Game 2 on Monday. Chiefly among those is possession. The Rangers dominated the pace of play for long stretches in Game 1, earning a 54-37 advantage in total shot attempts at even strength.
Lightning vs. Rangers 2015 live stream: Time, TV schedule and how to watch Eastern Conference Finals online
Tampa Bay looks to cut out mistakes in a pivotal Game 2.
Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
A big reason for that differential is turnovers by Tampa Bay. The Lightning pride themselves on being responsible with the puck, ranking 16th in the regular season in giveaways. But they totaled six alone in Game 1, leading to breakaway chances for the Rangers that often ended up in the back of the net.
“The Rangers played extremely well, but we just kept stubbing our toe,” Lightning coach Jon Cooper said. “We were just handing them tickets to the movie, wheeling the turnstile and watching them go by. We can’t be giving pucks away. We can’t be turning them over. We can’t not make them go the 200 feet. We’ve been a puck possession team all year. I’m not sitting here and saying that just replicates and goes into the playoffs, but we’ve got to be much better than we were. I’m quite convinced we will.”
Even if the Lightning do cut down on mistakes, they will have to find a way to break through the Rangers' stout defense. New York is averaging 1.61 goals against per game, the best in the Stanley Cup Playoffs this season. The Rangers are also 41-0-1 when leading after two periods this season, so Tampa Bay must score early and often to even the series with a win.
Game 2 coverage
8 p.m. ET | Game 2, Eastern Conference Finals
Madison Square Garden | New York
Nat'l: NBCSN
Live stream at NBC Live Extra
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