For the first time in this year’s playoffs, the NY Rangers are the team being chased instead of trying to catch their opposition with Game 2 scheduled for Friday night at Madison Square Garden.

The Blueshirts will start Game 2 of their best-of-seven Eastern Conference Finals holding a 1-0 series lead. This is a new position for the Rangers who lost Game 1 in both the first and second round this playoff season.

Their “No Quit in New York” mantra now has a different meaning as they look to keep the Lightning out of the win column before heading to Tampa for Games 3 and 4 starting Sunday.

NY Rangers looking for a 2-0 series lead

“You’ve got to have the same mindset, backs against the wall, up, down,” defenseman Justin Braun said Thursday via the team’s YouTube channel. “Every game is important. You’ve got to come out with the same mindset that this is the night you need to get it done or you it’s tied up going back to their barn. This game is just as important as any other game we’ve played throughout the playoffs.”

Tampa Bay has history on its side. They are 17-0 in games following a loss since the start of the 2020 playoffs. The last time they lost consecutive games in the playoffs was in 2019 when they were swept by the Columbus Blue Jackets in the first round.

As impressive as that stat is, head coach Gerard Gallant doesn’t isn’t weighing it as a factor in preparing for Friday’s game.

“It doesn’t matter to me,” he told reporters after Thursday’s practice.

“They didn’t beat us 17 times, they beat other teams,” Gallant said. “We’ve just got to get ready to play our game and go play. We know they’re going to be good. We know they’re a great team. Everybody knows that, but it doesn’t affect what we’re going to do tomorrow.”

NHL.com

NY Rangers expect Tampa to be better

The Rangers took advantage of a Lightning team that had a nine-day layoff before playing in Game 1 on Wednesday night. The Rangers outskated Tampa, taking a 4-2 lead into the third period. They went on to win the game handing Lightning goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy his first loss since the first round against the Toronto Maple Leafs.

As for the Lightning’s 17 game-winning streak after a playoff loss, Vasilevskiy has six shutouts and allowed 28 goals.

“It’s Game 1,” Tampa coach Jon Cooper said. “We’ve been through this before. We’ve won series when we’ve lost the first game and won series when we won the first game.”

In order for the Rangers to take a 2-0 series lead, they will need to survive a surge from a team that is well versed in how to bounce back from a loss.

“They’re going to be ready to play,” Gallant said. “You don’t win two Stanley Cups and not be ready to play at this time of the year, so we expect their pushback.”

Being the hunted instead of the hunter is a new position for Gallant’s team, but one that comes with a little less pressure than the team had in the previous two rounds. The team will look to head to Tampa Bay dismantling a record that led to two consecutive Stanley Cup Championships for the Lightning.

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The New York Rangers are back in the Eastern Conference Final for the first time since 2015. It’s been an impressive turnaround since “The Letter” was sent out in 2018 indicating the team was going to rebuild.

There’s so many moves to discuss that have brought the Rangers to this point as they get set to host the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game 1 on Wednesday night. However, let’s just stay in the now as President and GM Chris Drury addressed the media today.

“When the season started we wanted to do everything we could to get into the playoffs,” he said on Tuesday. “Our mantra was when you get in anything can happen. We’re excited to be one of four teams left and we’ll keep grinding to do the best we can.”

Chris Drury talks trade deadline additions

The New York Rangers began to fill in holes and add depth to their team just prior to the March 21 NHL Trade Deadline. It began a few days prior with the acquisition of Frank Vatrano and then on actual trade deadline day, Chris Drury added three more players.

• Andrew Copp and a 2023 sixth-round pick for Morgan Barron, (2) conditional second-round picks in 2022, and a 2023 fifth-round pick
• Tyler Motte for a 2023 fourth-round pick
• Justin Braun for a 2023 third-round pick
• Frank Vatrano for a 2022 fourth-round pick

“They’ve all contributed. I think our scouts and staff did a great job identifying those guys as targets and we were fortunate enough to pull off the deals to get them,” Drury said. “They’ll be plenty of time for those kind of questions after it’s all over. They’ve certainly fit and been used extremely well by [Gerard Gallant]. We’re thrilled to have them.”

The GM all shared a funny story regarding the condition in the Copp trade that turned a conditional second into a first once the Rangers eliminated the Hurricanes in Game 7.

“I did come down after the game last night to go around and see the players,” Drury smiled. “Copper looked up at me and said, ‘Sorry about your first,’ which was no problem at all.”

Can the New York Rangers keep them all?

The fact that Drury did not answer questions regarding the fate of his trade deadline acquisitions isn’t a surprise.

What has been reported is that the Rangers are talking with Andrew Copp about an extension. It’s also believed that his next deal could be in the $5.5M AAV range.

If the Rangers opt to give him that much it likely means that Ryan Strome will head to unrestricted free agency. Per CapFriendly, the Rangers have around $14M in space with 14 players under contract.

First and foremost, the Rangers need to sign RFA Kaapo Kakko. If they can do it on a low cost 1-2 year deal, they could possibly find a way to keep Tyler Motte and Frank Vatrano.

Justin Braun, who is 35 is most likely heading to free agency. The Rangers will also need to sign a backup goalie as Alexandar Georgiev is heading for a trade or not receiving a qualifying offer.

One player the Rangers will most certainly try and trade this offseason is Patrik Nemeth, who has two-years remaining at $2.5M AAV.

As the picture becomes clearer, we will have more during the offseason.

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The New York Rangers would not be at this stage of the NHL playoffs without their big stars.

Igor Shesterkin overcame a shaky few games against the Pittsburgh Penguins to become the team’s MVP again. Mika Zibanejad and Chris Kreider turned it on late in the first round to propel the Rangers to a 3-1 series comeback, with Artermi Panarin scoring the Game 7 winner in OT.

Adam Fox continues to be the team’s top point producer from the back-end and Jacob Trouba is playing his usual hard-physical style.

Still, the Rangers also wouldn’t be here if not for the play of these low-key top performers.

New York Rangers Top 3 low-key performers

Justin Braun: The moment Gerard Gallant made the move to replace Patrik Nemeth with Braun as Braden Schneider’s partner during the first round changed the complexion of the third pair. The 35 year-old has been extremely steady despite playing his off side. In 9 playoff games, he has 1 assist with 13 blocks, 7 hits, while averaging 13:30 per night.

Tyler Motte: When Motte dressed for Game 6 against the Penguins it was a huge shot in the arm for the Rangers. He played a big role in completing the comeback after coming back from a serious shoulder injury on April 7. Motte registered 7 hits and a block to close out Pittsburgh. In game 3 against the Hurricanes, he scored a big empty-net goal to seal the win. It was his first goal/point as a Ranger.

Motte was recently voted as the #2 UFA the fans want to see re-signed.

Ryan Lindgren: The heart of a warrior. Lindgren was injured in Game 1 against the Penguins and missed the next three games. New York went down 3-1 while he was out. Playing hurt, Lindgren stepped into the lineup for Game 5 and even registered a long empty-net goal to secure the first of three straight wins to complete the comeback.

Lindgren has drawn comparisons to Dan Girardi by legendary goalie Henrik Lundqvist. It’s a really fitting one as no other Rangers defenseman did more to block shots, even when he was playing hurt than Girardi.

Honorable mentions

As these playoffs continue, other players will start to emerge but Filip Chytil is deserving of some accolades here as well. He may only have two goals and three points in the postseason, but is playing with a level of maturity we’ve yet to see from the 22 year-old.

Kaapo Kakko has also been very strong with the puck in the playoffs, controlling play along the boards to maintain possession and generate some cycle chances. Much like Chytil, he does not have the points to show for his efforts (1G – 1A), but he’s a factor on most nights.

New York Rangers Playoff Schedule: Round 2 vs Carolina Hurricanes

The New York Rangers will look to even their series with the Hurricanes at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday night. Puck-drop is set for 7:00 PM ET with ESPN doing the network broadcast with ESPN 98.7 handling the radio duties.

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Rangers rugged defenseman Ryan Lindgren is a game-time decision for Game 5 on Wednesday night versus the Penguins.

According to Gerard Gallant, he will take pre-game warmups and the team will decide if he can go. If that is the case, it’s also possible the Rangers will go with 11 forwards and 7 defensemen as insurance.

Gallant said Lindgren will skate in warmups to see how he feels. Still a game-time decision. He said there’s a good possibility they’ll go with 11F/7D. #NYR

— Vince Z. Mercogliano (@vzmercogliano) May 11, 2022

NY Rangers lineup: Ryan Lindgren possible

Lindgren, 24, has not played since Game 1 of the series. In that contest he registered 3 hits and 5 blocks in nearly 30 minutes of action. Against the Capitals during the last game of the season, he got tangled up with a Caps player late and hobbled off the ice.

He also appeared to get banged up several times in Game 1 and left the bench for extended periods of time.

For the season, Lindgren posted 15 points in 78 games this season while averaging 20:06 TOI.

If Lindgren can play, he’s expected to be paired with Adam Fox. That leaves the interesting question of who will be the extra? Will it be Justin Braun or Patrik Nemeth.

Braun, 35, has an assist and an even rating in three games in the playoffs.

Nemeth, 30, has no points, four minor penalties, and a -4 rating in four contests this postseason.

Filip Chytil says the team likes to pass to much

Yesterday after practice, Gerard Gallant preached to his team to stop with the fancy stuff and play more “straight-line” hockey.

He also made it clear that the Rangers need to start shooting the puck more and it sounds like young Filip Chytil got that message.

“We had a lot of opportunities to shoot on great chances and didn’t shoot,” Chytil said heading into Game 5. “We didn’t do that the last two games, so now we have to change it and put into our heads that every shot can end up in the goal. We just have to shoot more.

“We’re probably one of the teams who loves to make an extra pass. But we can’t play like this. We see that it didn’t work in the last two games. We can look at Pittsburgh– they shoot from every possible angle. We have to do the same.”

Chytil, 22, has 1 assist in four games this postseason but the Kid Line with Alexis Lafrenière and Kaapo Kakko has generate excellent chances in the last two games.

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The New York Rangers scratched Braden Schneider when they acquired Justin Braun at the NHL Trade Deadline for a third-round pick.

Paired with Patrik Nemeth against the New Jersey Devils, the duo had a good first period but then collapsed (much like the team) for the final 40 minutes of play. They were each a -2 for the game and were pinned in their own zone almost every time they were out there.

The Blueshirts lost that contest 7-4, which prompted the return of Braden Schneider to lineup. New York has gone 4-0-0 since the move, with the rookie collecting two points (1G – 1A) and +4 rating.

Braden Schneider has earned his place on the team

The rookie has played in 30 games this season and is putting up rock-solid numbers. His play is even more astounding when you realize he’s just 20 years-old.

So far, Schneider has scored 2 goals and 6 assists for 8 points. His CF% of 40.8 is respectable, especially considering he starts in the defensive zone 54% of the time.

What’s impressed me the most is his poise with the puck at both ends of the ice. He simply doesn’t seem to get frazzled. This was highlighted against the Penguins when he jumped into the play to score a huge goal, which was followed up by a better defensive play late in the game.

Schneider hustled back to stop and odd man chance with a beautiful diving play that broke up a cross-ice pass. A goal there would have been crushing but instead the Rangers received another highlight from the young defender.

Schneids out here doing it all. 🥵 pic.twitter.com/f60xir7Yor

— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) March 30, 2022

“He’s a confident kid,” Gerard Gallant said. “He’s sees the open ice in the middle and made an outstanding shot. He reads the play well and is a great player for us.”

The fact that Schneider is doing this as the Rangers are in a heated race for playoff positioning is even more impressive.

“It gets hot out there,” a smiling Schneider said after beating the Penguins. “It’s getting harder and faster. It’s been a lot of fun.

“We have such a great room of guys and to be playing with everyone on our team and to be part of this is pretty special. I just hope we can keep rolling like we are.”

Schneider should start in the playoffs, Braun needs playing time

Schneider has been real good this season. However, after seeing him play in the WHL, where he won Defenseman of the Year in 2021, he has a whole other level in his game.

While he has picked his spots carefully in the NHL to jump into the play, he has yet to unload the big hits we’ve seen from him in the past. That will come with time and comfortability at this level and with his defense partner.

Jacob Trouba, whose Schneider is often compared to is a great example of this. While he was throwing hits last season, they do not match the thunderous bombs he’s unleashed this year. That’s because after playing a whole season with K’Andre Miller, they’ve reached a high level of trust.

Stepping up for a big hit sometimes takes you out of the play and you need that sense of security your partner is going to be there for you just in case.

Gallant probably already knows that his best lineup for the playoffs includes Schneider, but he’s already committed to get Justin Braun back in there.

“I think that motivation has been there the whole time,” Schneider said about the competition. “[Braun] is an awesome guy and I’ll just keep doing what I need do out there.”

There’s no doubt that Braun has to get reps with the Rangers and soon. He can’t be thrown in during the playoffs and expect to be successful. Not without having a sense of familiarity with Nemeth and the forward lines.

With that being said, Schneider has earned the right to play in this lineup. Furthermore, he’s earned the right to start in the playoffs.

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The New York Rangers will continue their quest for first place Tuesday night in Newark, N.J., when they visit the New Jersey Devils.

On Monday, the Rangers were busy on trade deadline day, acquiring Winnipeg Jets forward Andrew Copp, Vancouver Canucks forward Tyler Motte and Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Justin Braun in separate deals.

Per head coach Gerard Gallant, all three will be in the lineup tonight.

New York Rangers new look lineup

The Rangers held a morning skate and it provided a look at just how Gallant will set his lineup. Based on multiple reports the expectation will be as follows:

Kreider – Zibanejad – Lafrenière
Panarin – Strome – Vatrano
Copp – Chytil – Hunt
Motte – Goodrow – Reaves
Lindgren – Fox
Miller – Trouba
Nemeth – Braun
Shesterkin
Georgiev

Of course, the first question asked of Gallant was what will happen with Braden Schneider, who will be a scratch for tonight’s contest.

“It doesn’t mean because we brought Braun in that Schneider won’t be in the top six,” he explained. “It’s going to be a competition.”

Gallant also discussed that Copp’s versatility to play all three forward positions may come into play, but he will start on the wing over his preferred center position.

As for Motte, Gallant is looking forward to him using his speed and bringing some scoring to the fourth line.

Copp, Motte and Braun talk trade to Rangers

“Excited with what we were able to do and get the players we were able to get, and excited to see them play hopefully as soon as tomorrow,” President and General Manager Chris Drury said after the deadline passed.

Tonight, he will get to see his new acquisitions in action.

“I was excited first off,” Motte said about his trade to the Rangers. “It’s a weird moment leaving a city you’ve been in for a few year. But excited to play meaningful games and make a run with these guys.

“It’s a quick turnaround for sure. Let’s get after it.”

Copp played with Motte and Trouba in the past and was stoked to be with them again.

“Having (Motte) and Troubs, guys that I consider like brothers that are here, makes the transition a lot easier,” Copp said. “It was tough saying goodbye to people (in Winnipeg).

“Getting into a game is probably the best way to get to know the guys a little bit. Wear off the (newness) of it and get into the flow as quickly as possible.”

As for the 35 year-old veteran Braun, he was happy to back on a winning team and to get a chance at the playoffs.

“Playing meaningful games again is exciting– I can’t wait for it,” Braun said.

The New York Rangers hope to have all their new additions in the lineup on Tuesday night against rival New Jersey Devils.

On Monday, the Rangers were busy on trade deadline day, acquiring Winnipeg Jets forward Andrew Copp, San Jose Sharks forward Nick Merkley, Vancouver Canucks forward Tyler Motte and Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Justin Braun in four separate deals.

“Excited with what we were able to do and get the players we were able to get, and excited to see them play hopefully as soon as tomorrow,” President and General Manager Chris Drury said after the deadline passed.

New York Rangers look for another big road win

Four goals turned out to be enough for the New York Rangers to complete a successful weekend against two of the elite teams in the Eastern Conference. It also made capturing the Metropolitan Division more of a possibility.

The Rangers will continue their quest for first place Tuesday night in Newark, N.J., when they visit the New Jersey Devils.

The Rangers head to New Jersey after sweeping a back-to-back set with the Tampa Bay Lightning and Carolina Hurricanes. After Mika Zibanejad scored the tiebreaking power-play goal with 16 seconds left in Saturday’s 2-1 win at Tampa Bay, the Rangers followed it up with an impressive 2-0 win at Carolina on Sunday.

Chris Kreider scored his 41st goal and backup Alexandar Georgiev made 44 saves in a game where the Rangers mustered only 17 shots on goal. It was enough to hike New York’s point total to 85, tying them with the Pittsburgh Penguins and pulling to within three of the Hurricanes.

“We were lucky,” coach Gerard Gallant said. “We were a tired hockey team. They were all over us. They dominated, but we found a way to get two points.”

The Rangers own 40 wins, one fewer than Carolina, which has a game in hand and is hosting Tampa Bay Tuesday. Pittsburgh owns 38 wins and has a back-to-back with the Columbus Blue Jackets and Buffalo Sabres before visiting the Rangers on Friday.

Escaping Carolina with two points gave New York its fourth win in five games (4-1-0) since getting outscored 11-4 in consecutive lopsided losses at Minnesota and St. Louis two weeks ago.

The Rangers have won the past eight meetings against the Devils, including seven by at least two goals. They claimed a 3-1 victory March 4 in New York when Filip Chytil scored the tiebreaking goal in the second period and Kreider tallied in the third.

New York Rangers trade deadline moves and injury update

Chris Drury spoke about the state of the team after making his deadline day trades and provided an update on Kaapo Kakko and Kevin Rooney.

Both players will be out for the remained of March and possibly into April per the GM.

Kakko, 21, last played on January 21 against the Carolina Hurricanes. Television cameras caught Kakko wincing in a lot of pain and discomfort at the end of the second period as he was flexing his his left arm. He was placed on IR the next day.

Rooney, 28, has 11 points in 51 games this season and has been an integral part of the Blueshirts’ physical fourth line with Ryan Reaves. The injury occurred on March 2 and the Rangersmiss his checking abilities.

As for his biggest acquisition, Andrew Copp could very well play all three forward position on any line.

“Versatility’s a great thing to have in your lineup. He’s certainly an exciting piece to have in a Rangers uniform,” Drury said.

Tyler Motte was described as competitive player for the team’s bottom six that can kill penalties. Justin Braun is a defensive rearguard who gives them depth on the right side.

Nick Merkley is an AHL acquisition to help take the place of now departed Morgan Barron, who was dealt in the Copp trade.

New Jersey Devils aim to frustrate playoff teams

New Jersey’s next three games are against playoff contenders, as it visits the Toronto Maple Leafs and Washington Capitals after facing the Rangers. The Devils are returning home after an unsuccessful Western Canada trip that saw them endure three straight 6-3 losses to the Vancouver Canucks, Calgary Flames and Edmonton Oilers and wind up with several players battling bouts of stomach flu.

Unlike the visits to Vancouver and Calgary, the Devils held a lead on Saturday in Edmonton. Jesper Bratt scored twice and Nico Hischier gave New Jersey a 3-2 lead 3:14 into the third, but the Devils allowed three goals in a span of 3:48 en route to their 18th loss by at least three goals this season.

“It’s frustrating, but if you look at the whole game, I think we did a couple of things pretty well,” Hischier said. “I wouldn’t say it’s a terrible game, but it’s just frustrating at the end coming out of here short.”

The Devils allowed 18 of their 40 shots on goal in the third period to slip to 1-4-0 in their past five games.

Despite New Jersey’s recent struggles, Bratt and Hischier are performing well of late. Bratt has seven goals and 17 points in his past 12 games while Hischier has nine goals and 18 points in his past 14 contests.

NHL Trade Deadline Deals

Recap all the NHL Trades and Signings from NHL Trade Deadline Day Here.

–Field Level Media contributed to this report

The New York Rangers have acquired Justin Braun from the Philadelphia Flyers for a 2023 third round pick. No salary retained.

This is a bit of a surprising move since he is a right-handed shot, which will lead to speculation on whether or not the Rangers will continue to keep outstanding rookie Braden Schneider in the lineup.

Justin Braun to NYR

— Jeff Marek (@JeffMarek) March 21, 2022

New York Rangers acquire Justin Braun

Braun, 35, has 16 points in 61 games and is a pending UFA. He is 6-2, 203 pounds which he uses well. He’s averaging 20:12 TOI for the Flyers this season.

Analysis:

There’s a chance that Braun could also play on his off-side with Schneider. If for some reason he pushes the rookie out of the lineup, it’s a cause for concern.

Schneider seemed a little overwhelmed at times in recent games, and it’s possible both Chris Drury and Gerard Gallant may not be comfortable with his inexperience come playoff time.

As for Braun, he’s a good shot blocker that has the ability to make an offensive play. He also has solid playoff experience having gone to the Stanley Cup Final with the San Jose Sharks back in 2015-16.