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When it comes to professional ice hockey, the NHL is the premier league in North America. With 32 teams, the league is divided into two conferences, the Eastern Conference and the Western Conference. In the Eastern Conference, there are two teams that are frequently compared: the Tampa Bay Lightning and the New York Rangers. In this post, we will examine the history, strengths, and weaknesses of each team to determine which one is the better franchise.
07 APRIL 2023
TIME: 07:30 AM ET
History
The Tampa Bay Lightning joined the NHL as an expansion team in 1992. Since then, they have won three Stanley Cup championships (2004, 2020, and 2021) and have made the playoffs 15 times. The Lightning have had several notable players throughout its history, including Vincent Lecavalier, Martin St. Louis, and current stars Steven Stamkos and Nikita Kucherov. The team has become a consistent contender in the Eastern Conference and is a force to be reckoned with.
The New York Rangers have a storied history in the NHL. They were founded in 1926 and have won four Stanley Cup championships (1928, 1933, 1940, and 1994). The Rangers have made the playoffs 65 times, which is the second-most in NHL history. The team has had several Hall of Fame players, including Mark Messier, Brian Leetch, and Henrik Lundqvist.
Strengths
The Tampa Bay Lightning have a high-powered offense. They finished first in the league in goals scored last season and have several players who can contribute offensively, including Steven Stamkos, Nikita Kucherov, and Brayden Point. Additionally, the team has a strong defense led by Victor Hedman, who won the Norris Trophy as the league’s top defenseman in 2018.
The New York Rangers have a talented group of forwards. Artemi Panarin, Mika Zibanejad, and Chris Kreider are all capable of putting the puck in the net and creating offense for the team. Additionally, the Rangers have a solid goaltender in Igor Shesterkin, who has shown flashes of brilliance in his young career.
Weaknesses
The Tampa Bay Lightning have had some issues with their goaltending in recent years. Andrei Vasilevskiy is a talented goaltender, but the team has had to rely on him heavily in the playoffs. Additionally, the Lightning have had some issues with penalties, which can be costly in tight playoff games.
The New York Rangers have had some defensive issues in recent years. They finished 23rd in the league in goals against last season and have struggled to keep the puck out of their own net. Additionally, the team has had some inconsistency in their goaltending, which can be a problem in the playoffs.
Comparison
When comparing the Tampa Bay Lightning and the New York Rangers, there are several factors to consider. The Lightning have a high-powered offense, while the Rangers have a talented group of forwards. The Lightning have had some issues with their goaltending, while the Rangers have had defensive issues.
In terms of history, the Rangers clearly have the edge. They have won four Stanley Cup championships and have made the playoffs 65 times. The Lightning have won three championships, but they are a relatively young franchise and have only made the playoffs 15 times.
Looking ahead to the future, it is difficult to predict which team will be better. The Lightning have a talented roster and are capable of winning another championship, but they will need to address their goaltending issues. The Rangers have a young and talented core, but they will need to improve defensively to compete with the best teams in the Eastern Conference.
