Lightning-Rangers game gets heated: Shesterkin run over, heavyweight fight

Tonight's game between the Tampa Bay Lightning serves as a playoff rematch from last year, and a potential late round playoff preview for this year. With the history between these two teams and their desire to head into the playoffs on a high note, expectations were high that tonight would be a tight-checking, intense game - and both teams did not disappoint. Looking to establish playoff style habits, the game was extremely physical, featuring an instance of the Lightning bulldozing Igor Shesterkin and a heavyweight fight from two enforcers.

Down multiple goals halfway through the second frame and desperately trying to find their way back into the game, Alex Killorn of the Tampa Bay Lightning aggressively crashed the net looking for a loose puck, and knocked over goaltender Igor Shesterkin in the process. After hitting their star goalie, the Rangers latched on to Killorn and initiated a scrum.

The game's physicality intensified with the Lightning losing early and pushing to tilt the ice in their favour, causing Lightning enforcer Patrick Maroon to spark the team with a fight. Maroon hooked up with Rangers defender Ben Harpur for a quality, forceful fight.

In the last week of the season, expect more intense, tight-checking games like this one involving cup contending teams as they try to gain confidence going into the playoffs.

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