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NHL New York Rangers

New York Rangers’ Play vs. Tampa Bay Lightning Will Truly Prove If They’ve Turned Corner

By @MattNYR12

 

Anthony Gruppuso - USA TODAY Sports

Anthony Gruppuso – USA TODAY Sports

Over a week ago, the New York Rangers were embarrassed and totally outclassed by the Tampa Bay Lightning in a 5-1 home loss. On Wednesday night, they meet again in Tampa, and the Rangers have an opportunity to make a major statement.

After this humiliating defeat, questions were thrown at the team left and right about their focus, work ethic and desire to compete on a game-by-game basis. The Rangers responded with two of their most complete performances of the season so far, shutting out an arch-rival in the Philadelphia Flyers and thoroughly dominating the Eastern Conference-best Montreal Canadiens 5-0.

The rematch against the Lightning not only will prove if they have turned the corner, but will also paint a very clear picture of the Rangers’ talent and character.

This does not mean the Rangers have to win 10-0 and outshoot the Lightning by a four-to-one ratio. It simply means they need to put forth the same effort they brought against Philadelphia and Montreal, and prove they can play with and shut down guys like Steven Stamkos. If they can, it will show, win or lose, that the Rangers are capable of playing at an elite level consistently and will not settle for being mediocre.

It will also be a night in which the team will experience a wide range of emotions in a hostile environment. Martin St. Louis is making his return to Tampa, where the Lightning faithful are expected to boo his every move. Last week, the Rangers had to deal with the Madison Square Garden returns of Ryan Callahan, Brian Boyle and Anton Stralman. They utterly failed to rise to the occasion. This is their do-over.

If the Rangers can deal with these emotions seamlessly, it will validate they can handle being an elite-level and championship-caliber team again.

Wednesday night’s game is huge for the Rangers in more ways than one. It is not a must-win, but the way they handle the moment and play against an elite team in their building will show legit these Rangers really are. It will also reveal whether or not they are capable of something special down the road.

Matt Stillwell is a New York Rangers contributor for www.rantsports.com. Follow him on Twitter @MattNYR12.

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