Nash scores twice, Lundqvist rebounds as Rangers rout Lightning to even series
Henrik Lundqvist bounced back from allowing six goals in consecutive games, making 38 saves to help the New York Rangers tie the Eastern Conference Final at 2-2 with a 5-1 rout of the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game 4 on Friday.
Lundqvist made 18 saves in the second period and 13 in the third for the Rangers, who were 2-for-3 on the power play. Rick Nash netted a pair of goals, while Chris Kreider, Keith Yandle, and Martin St. Louis also scored for New York.
Star Performer: Nash had two goals and an assist for his first career multi-goal playoff performance. He opened the scoring in the first period with his first goal of the series and added a power-play tally in the third while registering four shots and three hits in the contest.
Turning Point: Lightning captain Steven Stamkos tied the game at 1-1 midway through the second period, but it didn't take long for New York to regain the lead. Kreider and Yandle scored goals 1:48 apart late in the period and the Rangers never looked back.
Goalie Comparison: Unlike Lundqvist, Lightning netminder Ben Bishop had another rough outing. Bishop allowed five goals in Tampa Bay's Game 3 victory and he allowed five again Friday, looking a little like he did when he struggled against the Detroit Red Wings to start the opening round.
| Goalie | Shots | GA | Saves | SV% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lundqvist | 39 | 1 | 38 | .974 |
| Bishop | 24 | 5 | 19 | .792 |
Top Highlight: Nash's first goal was a signature performance from the power forward who scored 42 times during the regular season. He entered Tampa Bay's zone with a head of steam and drove past Cedric Paquette on his way to the net before cutting across the top of the crease and sliding a backhand deke under Bishop's outstretched pad.
Stat of the night: The Lightning have been limited to two goals or fewer in all seven of their postseason losses.
Series at a glance
Game 1: Rangers 2, Lightning 1
Game 2: Lightning 6, Rangers 2
Game 3: Lightning 6, Rangers 5 (OT)
Game 4: Rangers 5, Lightning 1
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