N.Y. Rangers Shut Out Tampa Bay Lightning

Igor Shesterkin had a career night with 27 saves as the New York Rangers (39-36-7) shutout the Tampa Bay Lightning 4-0 on Thursday night. The Rangers were able to end their season on a high note as this was their final game of the season.

Overview

The start of this game was very difficult for both sides of the puck. Each team struggling to get accurate and open shots all period, lead to only seven total shots on goal. After a back and forth period, the score was 0-0 at the end of the first.

Vincent Trocheck started off the scoring very early into the second period. Assisted by J.T. Miller the Rangers took advantage of a 2v1 and finished to the Tampa Bay Lightning (47-27-8) net shorthanded for the first goal of the game. The score was 1-0 at the end of the second period.

Quickly into the third Chris Kreider gathered the puck and fired his shot into the top right corner of the net, making the score 2-0. Assisted by Mika Zibanejad and Will Cuylle, as the Rangers were just starting to impose their dominance.

Kreids from the slot. pic.twitter.com/ky2L89HG92

— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) April 18, 2025

Zibanejad’s second point of the night came off a one timer from K’andre Miller to put the rangers ahead 3-0. Shortly after Zibanejad skated in behind the defenders and slotted the final goal. The final horn blew and the New York Rangers completed the shutout.

Despite the season coming to an end Mika Zibanejad was able say this positively. “It’s way more fun to leave the rink having won the last game than playing poorly and gotten killed out there. I’m just happy we won. … It was the best way you could end a season like this.”

Mika racked up three points in the season finale, leading the Rangers to a win.

"The Lightning finished the regular season as the NHL’s top scoring team, netting a league-high 292 goals through 82 games."

More from @BenjaminJReport: https://t.co/yTst6GbT5t pic.twitter.com/VRq4LyQpza

— x – Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) April 18, 2025

Looking Ahead

The Tampa Bay Lightning (47-27-8) will play the Florida Panthers in the Eastern Conference First Round on Tuesday, April 22, at 8:30 p.m. ET.

It is the third time in four years these teams will meet in the playoffs.