Bobby Bevilacqua

Martin St. Louis and the Rangers fell short in Marty’s first game back in Tampa Bay, falling by a final score of 4-3.

After two consecutive performances, the Rangers (9-8-4) gave up four goals in a loss to the Lightning (15-6-2) by a final score of 4-3. It was a tough game for New York, as they had trouble getting the puck out of their own zone and sustaining offensive pressure.

Ryan Callahan picked up two goals in the game, giving him 10 on the year, and Steven Stamkos had three points to lead the Lightning to a win.

Rick Nash scored the Rangers third goal, giving him 15 on the season. Nash also had an assist in the game, which made it 300 in his career.

Ben Bishop improved his record against the Rangers to 7-0-0, and the Lightning are undefeated when Ryan Callahan scores a goal.

The first period was full of action for both teams. After taking a few minutes to find their legs, the Rangers and Lightning were off and running, setting up great chances and playing good hockey.

After a questionable interference call on Mats Zuccarello, the Lightning went on the power play early. The best offense in the NHL did exactly what they’re known to do, with Steven Stamkos blasting a slap shot over the shoulder of Henrik Lundqvist to give the Lightning the lead. The assists went to Ryan Callahan and Valtteri Filppula.

The Rangers got a good chance shortly after the goal when Kevin Hayes forced a turnover. He made a nice move to get in front, but made one too many and lost control of the puck. Hayes is a promising and talented player, but he needs to learn when to take the shot and when to make another move, all things that come in time in the NHL.

New York scored one of their own a few minutes later, and it was Mats Zuccarello who got the Rangers on the board. Rick Nash was able to steal the puck away from a Lightning defenseman. After a backhanded pass, Zuccarello buried a wrist shot past Bishop to tie the game at one.

Mats Zuccarello opened up the scoring for the Rangers, netting his fourth goal off the year. Zuccarello continues to be one of the most energetic players on the ice every night.

Shortly after the Zuccarello goal, Tampa Bay was given a penalty for too many men on the ice. At the 11:04 mark, the Rangers would score on the power play, with Dan Boyle firing a one-timer on the left wing past Ben Bishop. It was Dan Boyle’s first goal as a Ranger and his first point of the season, but it also gave New York a one goal advantage.

Rick Nash took four minutes of penalties on two separate calls, which were high sticking and roughing. On the first power play, the Lightning scored again, this time coming off of a tip-in from Ryan Callahan. Jason Garrison was the one who shot the puck on net and Stamkos picked up the second assist on the play.

The period ended with the teams tied at two. The Rangers surrendered both goals on the power play, but were playing better shorthanded, despite only having five shots on goal in the first period.

The Rangers struggled a bit in the second period. Carrying over from the first period, the Lightning had seven consecutive shots on goal, a result of the Lightning power plays and Tampa Bay controlling the puck. New York also had a hard time getting the puck out of their own zone and sustaining any offensive pressure.

They were also giving the puck away frequently, but Lundqvist was making some nice saves to keep the game tied.

After all of the pressure, the Lightning finally broke through after 10 minutes. Steven Stamkos used his speed to beat the defenseman, and made a backhand pass to Ryan Callahan in front, who quickly put the puck past Lundqvist for his second goal of the game, and a 3-2 Lightning lead.

Ryan Callahan scored twice against the Rangers tonight, giving him four goals in two career games against his former team. Callahan now has 10 goals on the season.

The Rangers would get a few more chances of their own. Mats Zuccarello hit the post with a wrist shot, and the Rangers would get chances from Dan Boyle and Derick Brassard on the power play.

At the end of the period, the Rangers would draw another penalty with 1:39 remaining, but they did not score.

The Rangers headed to the locker room down a goal, but still in the game despite being outshot 20-11.

At the start of the final period, the Rangers continued on the power play, and Dan Boyle nearly scored again after making a great move to get a shot off, but he hit the post.

Chris Kreider would have a one-timer blocked by Anton Stralman, and Martin St. Louis sent a breakaway chance wide. Tampa Bay continued to put a lot of pressure on the Rangers and took away a lot of their opportunities.

Tampa Bay would get another goal in the period, their fourth of the night. Tanner Glass lost the puck in his own zone, which led to a slap shot from Tyler Johnson that was tipped in by Nikita Kucherov, giving the Lightning a two goal lead.

The Rangers continued battling, and their best forward, Rick Nash, scored a fantastic goal to bring New York within one. Nash was able to get the puck behind the net, and used his size and strength to fight through a crowd of Tampa Bay defenders and into a position where he could get a go shot on goal. His wrister went in, and gave Nash his 15^th goal of the season, tying him with the Lightning’s Steven Stamkos for second in the league.

RIck Nash’s goal in the third came as a result of hard work to get the puck and utilizing his size and strength to get a shot pas Ben Bishop. Nash now has 15 goals on the season and has been the mose consistent player for the Rangers this season.

The Rangers pulled Lundqvist with less than two minutes to go, but a Chris Kreider crosschecking penalty ended that advantage and the Rangers chance at winning.

Like the last game against Tampa Bay, the Rangers were unable to sustain a lot of offensive pressure. They were able to score goals, but only managed 19 shots on goal. Tampa Bay had most of the possession, and did not allow the Rangers to utilize their style of play.

In his first game back in Tampa Bay, Martin St. Louis did not have the game he was hoping for. He was held pointless with no shots on goal, and sent a breakaway chance wide of the net. His four game point streak was snapped.

I thought Kevin Klein had a fantastic game today. Klein made two big saves on two Tyler Johnson breakaways, as well as blocking two shots tonight. Klein has been very good in the absence of Ryan McDonagh.

Mats Zuccarello scored the first goal of the game for the Rangers, giving him four on the season. Zuccarello has played well on the top line, and is always one of the most energetic players out on the ice.

Dan Boyle scored his first goal of the season tonight, and it came on the power play. In just his seventh game of the season, Boyle’s first goal was big, giving the Rangers the lead temporarily. Since his return, New York’s power play has been a lot better and has generated more chances than usual. He also nearly scored on a few other occasions, and is getting closer to his usual self with every game that he plays.

Dan Boyle was the most dangerous Ranger on the ice tonight, scoring once and hitting the post on another chance. Dan Boyle’s presence has improved the power play and he seems to be getting closer to his natural form with every game that he plays.

Rick Nash continues to be the most consistent player for the Rangers. Nash scored his 15^th goal of the season and picked up an assist, giving him 23 points (15-8-23) in the first 21 games of the season. Nash’s goal tonight showed why he is one of the most dynamic goal-scorers in the league.

Nash has goals in 13 of the 21 games this season and points in 16 games.

Tanner Glass is still in the Rangers lineup, and has played in every game this season. Why he is a regular in the lineup is puzzling to me. In 21 games, Glass only has one point, an assist, and has a minus-nine rating. Last season, Tanner Glass was a minus-eight in 67 games.

Glass was a minus-two tonight with no shots on goal and only one hit. Glass only has 14 shots on goal the entire season, with four of them coming in one game.

With someone like Lee Stempniak, who has eight points (4-4-8) in 18 games, as a healthy scratch the last two games, there is no reason for Glass to be an everyday player. Stempniak is much better offensively, and is a good defensive winger as well. With Glass on the fourth line, Vigneault is not allowing himself to roll four lines that can score, one thing that helped the Rangers throughout the season and postseason last year.

Lee Stempniak has been a healthy scratch for the last two games, while Tanner Glass is a minus-nine player who has played in every game this season. Lee Stempniak can score and play well defensively, so why is he scratched in favor of Tanner Glass?

The Rangers next game is Friday, where they will face off against the Philadelphia Flyers at 1 PM. It is the start of a home and home series for the two teams, and the first game will be in Philadelphia.

THREE STARS:

1) Rick Nash – 1 Goal, 1 Assist

2) Dan Boyle – 1 Goal; 24:49 TOI

3) Mats Zuccarello – 1 Goal, +2, 2 Hits