Brassard's hat trick propels Rangers over Lightning to force Game 7

The New York Rangers will not go gentle into that good night.

The team exploded for five goals in the third period Tuesday to take Game 6 by a score of 7-3 against the Tampa Bay Lightning.

The Rangers forced a seventh and deciding game Friday at Madison Square Garden in a game that looked destined for overtime with the score 2-1 entering the third.

Star performer: The line of Rick Nash, Derick Brassard, and J.T. Miller was the difference. The trio combined for five goals and 13 points, with eight of those points coming in the final period.

Brassard was just a little more impressive than his linemates, though. The 27-year-old had a hat trick and five points and now has 16 points this postseason.

Turning point: When the puck dropped at the start of the third period.

The Rangers came flying right out of the gate, making sure not to squander their one-goal lead. The Rangers exploded for five goals in the period to prove they too can play an offensive style.

Goalie comparison: Both goalies looked like walls before the third period. Ben Bishop just never seemed to recover after giving up the Rangers' third goal and was ultimately pulled midway through the period after giving up five goals on 26 shots.

Top highlight: Bishop made what was arguably the save of the series early in the third, robbing Brassard with a sprawling blocker save.

However, he was unable to recover as, seconds later, Miller took a pass from Brassard and put the puck past Bishop who was recovering from the original shot.

Stat of the game: In the Stanley Cup Playoffs, the Rangers have won seven straight Game 6's or Game 7's.

This dates back to last season's Game 7 of their Eastern Conference First Round against the Philadelphia Flyers.

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: Lightning 2, Rangers 0
Game 6: Rangers 7, Lightning 3
Game 7: Friday, May 29, 8 p.m. ET