NEW YORK, NEW YORK (SNN-TV) – After waiting a little over a week to find out who their Eastern Conference Finals opponents were, the Lightning now begins their series with the New York Rangers tonight.
Each team’s Russian goalies will be front and center as the two-time defending champion Lightning and never-say-die Rangers meet tonight at the illustrious Madison Square Garden.
Andrei Vasilevskiy has won a Vezina Trophy and two Stanley Cups with the Tampa Bay Lightning. Igor Shesterkin is a finalist for the Vezina this year as he leads the New York Rangers in their pursuit of their first championship since 1994 and second in 82 years.
Both teams survived a seven-game matchup in first round — Tampa Bay outlasting Toronto and the Rangers rallying from a 3-1 series hole to beat Pittsburgh.
The Lightning then swept Florida while the Rangers again went seven games — coming back from 2-0 and 3-2 series deficits — to outlast Carolina to arrive at this matchup.
The Rangers won all three meetings in the regular season, with the last coming more than two months ago.
Tonight’s puck is set to drop from MSG at 8pm.