NHL Playoffs 2015: Game 5 TV Schedule and Odds for Lightning vs. Rangers

Nothing has split the New York Rangers and Tampa Bay Lightning through a back-and-forth Eastern Conference Final entering Sunday's Game 5 in Madison Square Garden.

The two teams mirrored each other in their respective home stands to start the series. The Rangers squeezed out a close Game 1 win at home before being crushed 6-2 in the following game, while the Lightning did the same, pulling out an overtime Game 3 victory and dropping Game 4 by the score of 5-1.

To say Game 5 will be pivotal is putting it lightly, although from what we've seen thus far, it seems like a seven-game series is inevitable at this point. Let's take a look at everything to know for Game 5.

Game 5: Tampa Bay Lightning at New York Rangers

Date: Sunday, May 24

Time (ET): 8 p.m.

TV: NBCSN

Odds (via Odds Shark): Rangers 100-133, Lightning 6-5

Game 5 Preview

Phelan M. Ebenhack/Associated Press

It's a good thing that the Rangers were seasoned for playoff adversity in Round 2 against the Washington Capitals when they prevailed from down three games to one. They emerged from it ready to take the best punch from the Tampa Bay Lightning and come back swinging.

That's exactly what the Presidents' Trophy winners did in Game 4, exploding for five goals for the second straight game in Tampa Bay. But thanks to goaltender Henrik Lundqvist finding his form, the five goals were enough this time around.

But with that said, the Rangers did take quite the punch. After conceding 12 goals in the span of two losses, it's an even slate as Game 5 looms. Rick Nash made that clear to the team's Twitter:

That's certainly the right mentality, but any momentum carried over for Nash and Co. would be much preferred. 

Nash scored more than half a goal per game in the regular season but only produced two goals through the first two playoff series. He doubled that total in Game 4 with two goals and an assist, scoring on a breakaway to get the scoring going.

Another positive sign from Tampa Bay that the Rangers can only hope to emulate at home is an incredible return to form on the power play. After the Lightning torched them in special teams early in the series, New York answered back and has been virtually unstoppable as of late, per NHL.com's Dan Rosen:

While the Rangers are hoping to keep the momentum going, the Lightning will have to go back to square one after their highly potent offense was held to just one score in Game 4. Tyler Johnson has been on fire with 12 goals in these playoffs, and he'll likely have to get Nos. 13 and 14 soon with how much Tampa Bay's attack has relied upon his line.

With that said, the Lightning's attacking prowess will be for naught if Ben Bishop doesn't bounce back. Coming into this series 8-0 all-time against the Rangers, he started strong but has let in 10 goals in his last 42 shots faced.

Thoughts of benching the 6'7" netminder are considered "asinine" to head coach Jon Cooper, per Tampa Bay Times' Matt Baker. That's rightfully so with how much the Lightning's success has predicated on him, but one more performance like in Games 3 and 4 will put his team on the brink of elimination.