


TAMPA BAY, Fla. — The potential playoff preview that was this regular-season finale between the Rangers and Lightning was as entertaining as it gets.
And if the season ended Thursday night, there would possibly be seven more of it on the horizon.
In an empty-net goal abetted 6-3 loss at Amalie Arena, the Rangers, who were denied a bid to the Stanley Cup Final by the Lightning just two seasons ago, were reminded that they will not only have their hands full if they do meet Tampa Bay in the first round, but it will take their absolute best if they hope to advance.
Both teams may not have been at full strength, but both teams played full tilt with their own respective relentless stretches.
It was the best-on-best in goal, with the Rangers’ Igor Shesterkin versus the Lightning’s Andrei Vasilevskiy.
The star power was on full display. There was clear animosity. It came down to the third period.
After Jack Roslovic broke a 2-2 tie less than two minutes into the final frame, the Lightning scored four unanswered goals to secure their first win over the Rangers of the regular season.
Brayden Point, who evened the score at three-all, led the way with a hat trick and a six-point effort, while Nikita Kucherov posted a five-point night.
Rangers goalie Igor Shesterkin had a shutout streak of 132:41, dating back to March 4.