Stamkos strikes, Bishop renders critics senseless in Game 5 triumph over Rangers
Steven Stamkos is alive and well.
The captain scored and set up another while Ben Bishop made 26 saves for the shutout as the Tampa Bay Lightning wrestled Game 5 from the New York Rangers and are on the cusp of reaching the Stanley Cup Final on the heels of a 2-0 victory Sunday night.
Though the decisive win can be ascribed, in large part, to Stamkos, this was hardly his coming-out party. After being held without a goal in the first round, Stamkos tied a franchise record with goals in four straight postseason starts, and has now counted 14 points over his last 10.
Meanwhile, after improving to 6-1 after a loss in these playoffs, questioning Bishop's playing status for Game 6 would warrant an adjective harsher than "asinine," though Tampa Bay did put together its best overall defensive effort of the series in support of the netminder.
The Lightning have now left Madison Square Garden victorious in five of their last six visits, and recorded their first Game 5 win of these playoffs.
Star Performer: Stamkos was afforded less ice time than 12 other Lightning skaters, but provided the greatest return on the dollar. He took seven attempts at goal and landed two hits to go along with his two points.
Turning Point: Stamkos's goal was an absolute back-breaker. With offense at a premium in Game 5, he doubled the Lightning lead with 98 seconds left in the second period, and swung the momentum completely in his team's favor.
(Courtesy: NHL.com)
Goalie Comparison: Henrik Lundqvist was without hope on Stamkos's goal, buried on a cross-crease pass on the power play from Ondrej Palat, but was beaten clean once. Once more than Bishop.
Top Highlight: Though he was outplayed by his counterpart, Lundqvist did come up with the best save of the game. He came out to challenge Stamkos after a terrible giveaway in the Rangers' zone, and made a wicked glove stop.
(Courtesy: NHL.com)
Stat of the Night: In a game played exactly 21 years after Mark Messier's famous guarantee, Jon Cooper's assertion that Ryan Callahan would score in Game 5 did not come to fruition. He managed one shot.
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: Tuesday, May 26, 8 p.m. ET
Game 7*: Friday, May 29, 8 p.m. ET