EASTERN CONFERENCE FINAL SERIES PREVIEW | NYR VS TBL

Again, apologies this is late but school and blogging is sometimes rather difficult to juggle. We're already 1 game into the series, which was won by the Rangers so spoiler alert. Anyways, I think this is very interesting match-up we have here between NY and TB. You've got a quick offense-first team of kids in Tampa and a more veteran all-around powerhouse in New York. Let's take a look in depth.

OFFENSIVE COMPARISON

RANGERS
The Rangers are full of star-power up front, as they have 3 solid play-making centers down the middle in Brassard, Stepan and young Kevin Hayes. They don't have an eye-popping superstar but they have depth, which you need. On the wings you have vets Rick Nash and Marty St. Louis, as well as youngsters in Chris Kreider, Jesper Fast & J.T. Miller. There's speedy Carl Hagelin and then a two-way fourth line of James Sheppard, Tanner Glass & Dominic Moore. Up front the Rangers are very rounded, they have grit, play-making ability, goal scoring, youth, speed etc. I still think Tampa matches up better offensively, lets have a look.

LIGHTNING
The Bolts are very rounded, but also boast the star-power. You've got all-star Steven Stamkos, playing mostly with 'The Killer' Alex Killorn and gritty Ryan Callahan who literally has appendix surgery and then came back 4 days later saying put me in coach. Callahan, former captain of the Rangers definitely have something to prove in this series. Then, the kid line, the amazingly talented offensive line of Kucherov, Johnson & Palat. These 3 are good, and they've shown it all season. You still have Valterri Filppula, Brian Boyle, J.T. Brown, Cedric Pacquette, Brenden Morrow & Vladislav Namestnikov. Appearances from Jonathan Drouin and Jonathan Marchessault make this an offense-first extremely lethal and dangerous forward corpse, which NY must watch out for.

DEFENSIVE COMPARISON

RANGERS
The Rangers boast a great back-half, which they made even better at the trade deadline. Ryan McDonagh, Marc Staal, Dan Girardi, Keith Yandle, Dan Boyle & Kevin Klein form a combination of defense and offense which is a force to be reckoned with. They have the Lightning cleanly beat in this category, as this D Glen Sather put together is one word - lethal. Mix that with The King in net, you have an outstanding d-force.

LIGHTNING
Victor Hedman has found his way in the NHL this year as a top-flight defenseman, but his supporting cast is only decent. Stralman, Garrison, Coburn, Sustr and Carle are decent, but not comparable to the Rangers. Bishop has been good these playoffs, but he's no Lundqvist which is why the Rangers win this matchup.

PREDCTION
It's a close series, as we wait to see when the Rangers one goal game streak ends. I think it ends this series, but I also think the Blue Shirts prevail. Expect a 7-game grueling series from these 2 Eastern Conference power-houses.

Thanks for reading,

~UWNHL TEAM