Stanley Cup 2015: Rangers and Blackhawks tied the conference finals

New York Rangers keep playing an uneven series. In game two and three they let in six goals per game, watching Tampa taking a 2-1 lead in the conference final. In game three, which they lost in overtime 6-5, their otherwise stable goalkeeper Henrik Lundqvist gave up an easy decisive 6-5 goal. However, in game four he saved 38 out of 39 shots, bouncing back. Another positive note is that Rangers have scored ten goals in the last two games. In the other conference final, Chicago tied the series against Anaheim with an overtime win.

Tampa Bay 1-5 New York Rangers (2-2)

Rick Nash did the first goal of the game in the end of the first period with a nice forehand-to backhand play. Steven Stamkos tied the game in the second period. However, with two quick goals Rangers got themself a 3-1 lead before the third period. Martin St Louis scored 4-1 in the power play, it was his first goal in the 2015 play offs. Rick Nash scored his second goal of the game in another power play, the final goal of the game, 5-1 to the Rangers. The conference final are now tied, 2-2 before next game which is played in Madison Square Garden, New York.

Chicago 5-4 (ot) Anaheim (2-2)

Antoine Vermette was scratched from Chicago’s roster in game three but was back in game four with a starring role. In fact, he made the decisive goal in overtime. Brandon Saad did the first goal for the Blackhawks with 50 seconds to go of the first period, shorthanded. Anaheim tied the game with two minutes to go in the second. The third period became a goal explosion: Jonathan Toews scored 2-1 for the Blackhawks. Brent Seabrook increased the lead to 3-1 with a slapshot five minutes later. Then, the Ducks turned into eagles. In 37 seconds they scored three goals. No team has done that in a Stanley Cup play-off game since Toronto Maple Leafs in 1979 (they scored three goals in 22 seconds). Suddenly, it was 4-3 Anaheim, with nine minutes to go. Chicago showed that they can find ways to win any game. In power play, Patrick Kane stepped up and tied it 4-4. Both teams had their chances in overtime but it was Blackhawks who came out on top through Vermette’s goal in the second overtime period. The series is now tied. However, question is if it will be a fatiqued team going through to the Stanley Cup final if these games continue to be so tight. Chicago defenders Duncan Keith and Niklas Hjalmarsson played around 40 minutes each in game four.

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