NHL Playoffs 2015: Last-Minute Preview and Prediction for Rangers vs. Lightning

On the verge of being eliminated from the 2015 NHL playoffs, the New York Rangers need goaltender Henrik Lundqvist to perform like the former Vezina Trophy winner that he is in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Final against the Steven Stamkos-led Tampa Bay Lightning.

It's been an up-and-down series for both Lundqvist and Lightning netminder Ben Bishop, with Lundqvist allowing a combined 12 goals in Games 2 and 3 and Bishop surrendering a total of 10 goals in Games 3 and 4.

But they have since played much better, and their performances on Tuesday night will largely dictate whether Tampa Bay advances to the Stanley Cup Final for the second time in franchise history or a Game 7 will be necessary to crown a series winner.

Given Bishop's outstanding showing in Sunday's 2-0 shutout win at Madison Square Garden and Lundqvist's history in elimination games, both teams should be feeling confident going into Tuesday night's game.

Phelan M. Ebenhack/Associated Press

ESPNBoston.com's Joe McDonald noted that the Rangers are 14-3 over their last 17 elimination games with Lundqvist in net. According to McDonald, Lundqvist has a .956 save percentage and 1.39 goals-against average in those contests.

Most recently down 3-1 in the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Washington Capitals, he allowed just five goals on 110 shots in Games 5, 6 and 7, leading the Rangers to a series win.

NHL.com's Dan Rosen writes that there were some positive takeaways for the Rangers from Game 5 of the ECF, and Lundqvist feels good about his team's chances.

"We know we can beat them," Lundqvist said. "We did a great job against them last time in this building. Just be focused on the process here."

One player determined to put a dent in Lundqvist's record in elimination games is Stamkos, who has scored a goal in four consecutive games.

Stamkos and defenseman Victor Hedman are the lone leftovers from the Lightning team that lost in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Final to the Boston Bruins in 2011.

Tyler Johnson had the hat trick in Tampa Bay's Game 2 win and Nikita Kucherov scored the game-winner in overtime of Game 3, but it's the veteran Stamkos who's had the bigger series for the Lightning thus far.

New York must find a way to contain him in Game 6 to make things easier on Lundqvist. 

Not only has Stamkos been creating scoring opportunities for himself, but he's setting up his teammates as well. His 10 assists in the postseason are tied with Kucherov for the team lead. 

Stamkos alone probably can't carry the Lightning to victory, but his ability to make his teammates better can be the difference if the Kucherovs, Johnsons and Ondrej Palats of the world step it up.

With that being said, if they play a sound game on the defensive end, the Lightning won't have to worry about putting the puck past Lundqvist six times like they did earlier in the series.

Joe Smith of the Tampa Bay Times tweeted that Tampa Bay is taking a defensive-minded approach into this game:

That the game is being played at Amalie Arena, where Tampa Bay went 32-8-1 during the regular season—the best home record in the NHL—figures to be a factor.

As Devils reporter Tom Gulitti of Fire & Ice noted, you can't discount the impact home-ice advantage may have on this game:

While I think the Lightning will put forth a solid effort in front of their home crowd, it's hard to see the Presidents' Trophy winners losing this game.

After Chris Kreider tied Game 5 against Washington with less than two minutes remaining in regulation, seemingly restoring new life in the Rangers, I got the feeling that this is a team of destiny—a team bound to bring New York its first Stanley Cup championship since 1994.

An exquisite showing from Lundqvist will propel the Rangers to a 3-2 overtime victory on Tuesday night, with Martin St. Louis scoring the goal that forces a Game 7 against his former team.