Tampa Bay Lightning dominate Rangers in 5-1 victory
- The Tampa Bay Lightning defeated the New York Rangers 5-1 on April 7, 2025.
- Brayden Point scored two goals and assisted once during the game, while Nikita Kucherov contributed a goal and two assists.
- The Rangers' loss puts them further behind in the playoff race, struggling with their performance in recent matches.
On April 7, 2025, in New York City, the Tampa Bay Lightning faced the New York Rangers, continuing their strong push as they head into the NHL playoffs. The Lightning secured a decisive victory with a score of 5-1, marking their 45th win of the season, which is a remarkable achievement for the team, making it their eighth time reaching that mark in the last eleven seasons. Brayden Point stood out by not only scoring twice but also assisting, while Nikita Kucherov contributed significantly with a goal and two assists. The game showcased Tampa Bay's offensive strength, particularly on the power play, where they capitalized on 3 of 4 opportunities. Kucherov opened the scoring with a power-play goal late in the first period, followed quickly by a goal from Yanni Gourde just 36 seconds later. Point added to the score before the first intermission, putting the Lightning firmly in control. The Rangers managed to score once in the second period through Mika Zibanejad, but the Lightning's dominance remained unchallenged. Point's second goal in the third period further emphasized the Lightning's authority in the game, marking his 41st goal of the season. The victory not only solidifies their position in the playoff race but also serves as a setback for the Rangers, who are now struggling to keep their playoff hopes alive. With this loss, the Rangers remain six points behind Montreal for the second wild card spot in the Eastern Conference, having added pressure due to their recent inconsistent performances. As the game concluded, Brandon Hagel scored an empty-net goal, sealing the defeat for the Rangers and showcasing the Lightning's depth in scoring. Andrei Vasilevskiy, the Lightning’s goaltender, made 38 saves, reflecting a solid performance that kept the Rangers at bay throughout the match. The loss marks the Rangers' second consecutive defeat, dropping their recent record to 3-5-1 over the last nine games, and raising serious doubts about their playoff aspirations with only five games remaining in the season.