TAMPA, Fla. — Two giant-sized banners adorn the side of a hotel just down the block from Amalie Arena. One is of the Lightning’s Victor Hedman and the other is of teammate Ryan McDonagh, anchors on what has arguably been the best defense corps in the NHL through runs to back-to-back Stanley Cups.
But what has been an advantage for the Lightning in previous playoff series has not been against the Rangers, who lead this Eastern Conference Final 2-0 entering Sunday afternoon’s Game 3.
The Rangers’ defense corps, a mixture of gritty veterans and rising youthful stars, has been a difference-maker so far. If the analytics don’t always show that, the eye test certainly has.
