Rangers Force Game 7

Facing elimination for the second consecutive series, the New York Rangers rebounded to force a Game 7 in the Eastern Conference Finals by beating the Tampa Bay Lightning 7-3 on Tuesday night in Tampa Bay.

The win now assures the Rangers will have a chance to complete the series comeback at home on Madison Square Garden Ice. Game 7 is Friday night.

The Rangers took a two-goal lead in the first period as shots from Derick Brassard and Keith Yandle found the back of the net, but the Lightning made it 2-1 before intermission on a goal from ex-Blueshirt Ryan Callahan.

The Rangers came out in the second with a flurry of scores to help provide a big cushion. J.T. Miller scored just three minutes into the second period, and James Shephard scored three minutes later to give the Rangers a 4-1 lead.

Brassard scored his second goal of the night just minutes later to make it 5-1.

Tampa Bay cut the deficit to 5-2 shortly after, and then the Rangers made it 6-2 on a goal by Rick Nash.

Tampa tried to mount one last comeback, scoring with 6:39 left to make it 6-3, but Brassard later completed his hat trick to make it 7-3.

Henrik Lundqvist had 36 saves in the win.