Why It Was Not A Failure For The New York Rangers
May 18, 2015; New York, NY, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning goalie
Ben Bishop(30) reacts after giving up a goal to New York Rangers center
Derek Stepan(21) during the second period in game two of the Eastern Conference Final of the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
4. “Look kids, Big Ben”
Perhaps the most difficult task facing the Rangers these playoffs was scoring on the Tampa Bay Lightning’s goaltender Ben Bishop. At 6’7, he certainly was the biggest obstacle standing in the way for a return to the Stanley Cup Final.
For his career, Bishop was undefeated when facing the Rangers. This season alone, he faced the team three times, winning all of them while averaging 2.34 goals against and a.900 save percentage.
In order for the Rangers to return to the Stanley Cup Final, they needed to get past Bishop, and they almost did. They proved to themselves and the doubters that he isn’t the Rangers kryptonite.
They were able to beat Bishop in three of the seven games, while scoring 14 goals, two games where the team scored five + goals in back-to-back games.
He was put in awkward positions at times, causing him to move and perhaps do things he was not comfortable in doing.