New York Rangers comeback falls short against the Tampa Bay Lightning
The New York Rangers scored three goals in the third period to bite into the Tampa Bay Lightning's 5-0 lead, but it wasn't enough as the Lightning went on to win 5-3 at home on Wednesday 24 November.
How it happened
The Lightning stormed out to an early lead with two power play goals in the first period, both scored by Ryan Malone for his fourth and fifth of the season.
Steven Stamkos continues to flirt with becoming the first player to score 50 goals in 50 games since Brett Hull did it in 1991-1992 when he scored Tampa's first goal of the second period. The goal was
Stamkos' 21st of the season as the Lightning were playing in their 22nd game.
Brett Clark added another power play goal and defenceman Victor Hedman scored his first of the season before the period was out putting the Lightning up 5-0 going into the third period.
Steve Eminger started the Rangers comeback scoring his first of the season. Brian Boyle's tenth goal of the season while shorthanded gave the Rangers some hope, but they were only able to add a power play
goal by Derek Stepan as the comeback fell short.
What they're saying
Although his team won, Lightning head coach Guy Boucher was furious at the fact that his team conceded three goals late in the game. "It's a lack of respect for the opponent, a lack of
respect for our standards," he said. "Everything in the third period just showed that we lacked respect. Unacceptable, and the players know it. It leaves a real bad taste."
Stamkos decided to focus more on the positive side and the fact that his team are now riding a five-game win streak and are just four points back of the first place Washington Capitals with a game in hand.
"It's a win, five in a row, and we take pride in that," Stamkos said. "We definitely don't feel as good as we would have after our play in the third."
Trying to comeback from five goals down with only 20 minutes to go is an overwhelming hurdle, and Rangers coach John Tortorella knows that it was his team's effort over the first forty minutes which cost
them. "We just looked brain dead through the first part of the game," he said. "Why? I don't know."
The Rangers remain in the state of Florida as they take on the Panthers on Friday 26 November.
The Lightning have a chance to make up some serious ground on the first place Capitals when the two teams face off on Friday night in Washington.
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