Rangers, Lightning Meet in Eastern Conference Finals

Well, the only way this series could have been scripted better were if it happened a year ago when the Tampa Bay Lightning and New York Rangers traded for each other’s captains, sending Marty St. Louis to New York and Ryan Callahan to Tampa. The energy and hatred would have been amplified tenfold.

All those feelings will still be there, and I am sure Tampa fans still have a sour taste in their mouth about the way St. Louis left the team, but if Callahan can’t play it just won’t be the same. Don’t get me wrong, this Eastern Conference finals matchup is going to be a great one. It doesn’t feature two heavyweight, dominant teams like the Chicago-Anaheim series, but it does feature two teams that play a grinding style of hockey. Both Tampa and New York like to outwork their opponents by getting in on the forecheck, backchecking and forcing turnovers.

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The Lightning and Rangers have speed, young skilled players, great goaltenders and all-out superstars slowly finding their game. And of course they have plenty of former teammates turned enemies due to the trades and deals that have went down in the past year to send players to Tampa and vice versa.

Aside from the Callahan and St. Louis trade, the Lightning acquired former Rangers Brian Boyle and Anton Stralman in the summer. Those two players were instrumental in assisting the Rangers in getting to the Stanley Cup finals last year. Now, they will be looking to stop them from getting there again at all costs. Boyle and Stralman have been phenomenal acquisitions for the Bolts. They have strengthened Tampa Bay’s defensive end and penalty kill, and have brought experience and leadership to the young team.

Tampa Bay was successful against the Rangers in the regular season, sweeping all three games. But the teams haven’t faced off against each other since December 1. A lot has changed since then for both teams. The Rangers moved some pieces around right before the trade deadline and have seen their younger players rise to the occasion, while the Lightning have seen the emergence of Tyler Johnson and the Triplets line, and seen Victor Hedman regain his health and form.

Nov 26, 2014; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning center Tyler Johnson (9) shoots as New York Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist (30) makes a save during the second period at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

This series should feature speed more than physicality. Both teams don’t have many big players, and with Callahan currently sidelined, you might not see as many hits as you will in the Western Conference finals. But the speed will sure make it exciting. Johnson, Carl Hagelin, Chris Kreider, and Steven Stamkos—all have tremendous skating abilities that each team’s defense is going to have to deal with. They are going to create space, get some chances and, of course, score some goals.

The recent history between these two teams and their star players will make this an intense and emotionally charged series. The only thing that would make it better is if Callahan returned to play. I would think, especially with the Rangers being the opponent, he is dying to get out there and help his team earn a trip to the Cup finals. So it should come as no surprise that only three days after surgery, Callahan was back on the ice practicing with his team. According to reports by the NHL, Callahan was in the same jersey as the other forwards, meaning he wasn’t wearing a non-contact jersey. This is a good sign for the Lightning. We shall see how he feels after practice and if he will be available Saturday afternoon.

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