NEW YORK (AP) — Tyler Johnson is carrying the Tampa Bay Lightning in the playoff and making more than a name for himself.
Johnson scored short-handed, even strength and on the power play in tallying the first hat trick in Lightning playoff history and Tampa Bay got its highscoring offense in gear and evened the Eastern Conference finals with a 6-2 victory over the stumbling New York Rangers on Monday night.
Alex Killorn added two goals and Steven Stamkos had one and the Lightning bounced back from a crushing late loss on Saturday and made the Presidents’ Trophy winners pay for every slip, penalty and mistake.
Chris Kreider and Derek Stepan scored for the Rangers in the wideopen, penalty-filled matchup that ended New York’s run of playing in 15 straight playoffs games decided by one goal.
Henrik Lundqvist, who gave up at least five goals in two of three regularseason games against Tampa Bay this season, gave up six on just 26 shots.
The series shifts to Florida for games on Wednesday and Friday.
Ben Bishop had another big game for the Lightning, making 35 saves. Both Rangers goals came on the power play.
The Rangers were just sloppy. Players falling led to two Lightning goals on odd-man rushes. Tampa scored three times on the power play, once shorthanded and once just after a power play ended.
New York committed way too many mistakes against a team whose speed and skill can embarrass you.
Johnson came into the game leading the NHL with eight postseason goals and he increased the total to 11 before the second period was over in giving the Lightning leads of 1-0, 2-1 and 3-1.
The first was short-handed as a twoman disadvantage was expiring. The second came on a power play and the last was even strength.
The Rangers were late into a 1:07 two-man advantage when Martin St. Louis fell trying to take a shot straight on and it sent Johnson on a breakaway with St. Louis in pursuit.
Lundqvist stopped Johnson’s initial shot, but Johnson poked at the puck as St. Louis crashed into his own goaltender and the puck went in the net.
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