The 6-2 was the seventh straight playoff home win for Rangers, who were never behind in the game and ensured the preliminary decision with three goals in the second period. The Lightning, who won the Stanley Cup in the North American ice hockey league in 2020 and 2021, had not played a game since May 23 after the last six wins in a row. The six goals conceded were more than the three total in the previous playoff series against the Florida Panthers.
The second game against Rangers is on June 3 (local time). A team needs four wins to advance to the Stanley Cup Finals.
