The clash between the Lightning and Rangers promises an exciting showdown as both teams enter the matchup with notable momentum.
The Rangers, fresh from the All-Star break, demonstrated their resilience with a thrilling win over the Colorado Avalanche in overtime.
Despite not being the prettiest victory, Artemi Panarin’s 31st goal and Alexis Lafreniere’s decisive goal showcased the team’s determination.
This victory marked the Rangers’ first consecutive wins since mid-January, and they aim to secure a rare third straight win for the first time in nearly two months.
Reflecting on their recent performance, Rangers’ player Mika Zibanejad acknowledged the significance of the win as a gutsy effort.
The team is striving to build on this positive momentum, aiming to overcome a challenging month of January. While they started the season strongly with an 18-4-1 record, their subsequent performance has been more inconsistent, with a 13-12-2 record in the past 27 games. Zibanejad emphasized the importance of using this win as a restart and maintaining the momentum.
On the other side, the Tampa Bay Lightning have been on an impressive run, winning eight of their last nine games. This stretch contrasts with their earlier struggles, as they were 14-13-5 before a turning point on December 16.
Since then, the Lightning have posted a 13-5-0 record in their past 18 games, including a remarkable 10-3-0 run since their home loss to the Rangers on December 30. Their confidence is high, evident in their five-game winning streak leading up to the All-Star break.
Key players for the Lightning, such as Brandon Hagel, Victor Hedman, Steven Stamkos, and Nikita Kucherov, have been contributing significantly to their recent success.
The team is also set to benefit from the return of defensemen Mikhail Sergachev and Erik Cernak, adding depth to their roster as they embark on a four-game road trip. Sergachev is making a comeback after a 17-game absence, while Cernak is returning from a seven-game hiatus due to an upper-body injury.
As the Lightning strive to maintain their hot streak, Hedman stressed the need to stay focused and execute their game plan consistently.
In summary, the upcoming Lightning-Rangers matchup promises an intriguing clash between two teams with distinct recent trajectories, making it a must-watch for fans of both franchises.
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