Tyler Johnson helps Lightning break down fortress, even series with Rangers

The situation demanded a historic performance. And that's exactly what the Tampa Bay Lightning got.

Tyler Johnson claimed the first postseason hat trick in franchise history before the midway mark of the second period, propelling the Lightning to a 6-2 victory over the New York Rangers to square the Eastern Conference Final at a game apiece.

Johnson scored on a 5-on-3 disadvantage, a 4-on-3 man advantage and with his skates deep in the blue paint at even strength before Alex Killorn and Steven Stamkos piggybacked on their teammate's brilliance with insurance markers in the third.

Henrik Lundqvist was soundly outperformed in the Rangers' goal for the first time in these playoffs. He allowed five goals for the first time since Dec. 1, a 6-3 loss to the Lightning spearheaded by two Johnson goals.

Star Performer: Duh. With his fourth multi-goal performance, Johnson leads the postseason scoring race by four and is just another four shy of Sidney Crosby, whose 15 goals is the most scored in a playoff run over the last decade.

Turning Point: We'll stop gushing - for now - and recognize the effort of the Lightning goaltender. With the score 3-2 early in the third, Ben Bishop made a short-handed stop on a streaking Rick Nash and then denied Jesper Fast on the rebound with a crucial toe save before the floodgates opened at the other end.

(Courtesy: NHL.com)

Goalie Comparison: Subtle, yet brilliant, it was another commendable bounce-back performance for Bishop, who made 35 saves to Lundqvist's 20 and improved his overall record versus the Rangers to 9-1.

Top Highlight: For all of Johnson's efforts, it was Victor Hedman who put the game away. He victimized the Rangers with a brilliant pump fake and pass to Killorn to re-establish the two-goal cushion.

(Courtesy: NHL.com)

Stat of the game: The 6-2 loss represents the largest margin of victory of New York's 14 postseason games this spring. The previous high in triumph or defeat: 1 goal.

Game 1: Rangers 2, Lightning 1
Game 2: Lightning 6, Rangers 2
Game 3: Wednesday, May 20, 8 p.m. ET
Game 4: Friday, May 22, 8 p.m. ET
Game 5: Sunday, May 24, 8 p.m. ET
Game 6*: Tuesday, May 26, 8 p.m. ET
Game 7*: Friday, May 29, 8 p.m. ET

*If necessary