Eastern Conference Final preview: Lightning vs Rangers

After a 14-goal Game 1 in the Western Conference Final, the Eastern Conference Final is set to kick off their own Game 1 tonight at 8pm. We expect a much different series than what we've seen so far out west. Whereas the West is high flying offense, the East can be better described as world-class goaltending. The big story heading into Game 1 is that of the goal crease.

New York Rangers vs Tampa Bay Lightning, Igor Shesterkin (6'1" 189lbs 26 years old) vs Andrei Vasilevskiy (6'3" 225lbs 27 years old). It has been a few years now that Vasilevskiy has been renowned as one the league's best netminders, if not THE best. Vasilevskiy was the Bolts' first round pick in 2012. He won the Vezina trophy for the league's top netminder in 2018-2019, the Conn Smythe for MVP of the playoffs in their 2021 cup run, and has led the league in wins the past five years. This season, Vasilevskiy went 39-18-5, 2.49 GAA, .916 save percentage.

Shesterkin has only been the in NHL for three seasons. He was drafted in the fourth round by the Rangers in 2014. He is a candidate for the Vezina trophy AND the Hart trophy (league MVP) this season. Shesterkin put up impressive numbers this season: 36-13-4, 2.07 GAA, .935 save percentage.

Despite their age proximity, the experience nod goes to Vasilevskiy. He's just played in the NHL longer and has much more playoff experience than Sheskterkin. Vasilevskiy just knows how to win in the playoffs, especially in elimination games. That is not to take anything away from Shesterkin, who is building his experience this year, and has five consecutive elimination wins. Alex Killorn and captain Steven Stamkos summarized the goaltending matchup:

As far as the teams in front of these stellar goalies, Tampa seems to have an advantage in this series. The Rangers did go 3-0-0 against Tampa this season, but Gerard Gallant himself says that means nothing, After all, Tampa is the two-time defending champions. Despite the Rangers having home-ice advantage (same points during regular season: 110, but one more regulation win) in this series, Tampa remains the betting favorite at -190.

It is also important to note the injuries in this series. For Tampa, Brayden Point missed the Bolts' entire series against the Florida Panthers with a lower-body injury. Point was working with skills coach Jeff Halpern this morning:

Brandon Hagel has been nursing a lower-body injury sustained in the Battle of Florida. He is expected to be in the lineup tonight.

For New York, they were happy to see the return of forward Barclay Goodrow late in the Carolina series. Ryan Lindgren continues to push through injury after injury to continue playing. He is clearly playing hurt for several games now. Finally, forward Sammy Blais, who suffered a torn ACL in late November, has been seen at morning skates and working on his own. His status remains unlikely for the minimum six-month recovery, but never say never.

This series is anticipated to be much different that the high scoring affair in the West. The Lightning are coming off an unprecedented nine days off since they swept the best offensive team in the league (Florida Panthers). The Rangers have played non-stop since the playoffs started, going to 7 games against the Penguins and the Hurricanes. They only had one day off since defeating the Canes.

These teams faceoff in their best-of-7 Eastern Conference Final beginning tonight at 8pm EST. They battle to punch their ticket to the Stanley Cup Final.

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