Stanley Cup Playoffs notebook: Friday, May 22

FRIDAY’S RESULT

Home Team in Caps

NY Rangers 5, TAMPA BAY 1 – series tied 2-2

NASH, RANGERS EVEN SERIES AT 2-2

Rick Nash (2-1—3) had his first career three-point performance in the postseason to help the New York Rangers even their series against the Tampa Bay Lightning at 2-2.

* Nash opened the scoring with an even-strength goal and added another goal on the power play for his first two goals of the Eastern Conference Final. It was also Nash’s first career multiple-goal game in the playoffs.

* Nash led the Rangers in the 2014-15 regular season with a career-high 42 goals in 79 GP. He also led the club with 69 points (42-27—69).

* Henrik Lundqvist made 38 saves, including 31 in the final two periods, to improve to 10-6 in the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs. He has a 2.05 goals-against average and a .930 save percentage.

* Lundqvist also had 10 wins in the 2012 playoffs and 13 wins in the 2014 playoffs. He is the only goaltender in franchise history to win 10 or more games in a single postseason three times. Only two other goaltenders in franchise history have won 10 or more games in a single postseason: John Davidson (11 in 1979) and Mike Richter (16 in 1994).

* Chris Kreider and Keith Yandle (1-2—3) scored in a span of 1:48 late in the second period.

* Kreider extended his point streak to a playoff career-high four games (2-2—4) with his team-leading seventh goal of the postseason. It was also Kreider’s second game-winning goal of the playoffs, tying him with Ryan McDonagh for the team lead. Kreider had five game-winners during the 2014-15 regular season (80 GP).

* Six of Kreider’s 18 career playoff goals have been game-winners. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, Kreider is tied with Frank Boucher, Bill Cook and Brian Leetch for second on the franchise’s all-time playoff game-winning goals list; Mark Messier holds the franchise record with seven. Kreider also tied Pete Stemkowski for 11th on the franchise’s all-time playoff goals list.

* Yandle’s tally was his first playoff goal as a member of the Rangers. He added two assists for his second consecutive multiple-point game (also 0-2—2 in Game 3).

* Martin St. Louis scored his first goal of the postseason, on a third-period power play. St. Louis has registered at least one power-play goal in all seven years he has appeared in the postseason (13 total).

* Kevin Klein (0-2—2) and Kevin Hayes (0-2—2) each had two assists.

* New York had its second consecutive five-goal game; it lost 6-5 in overtime in Game 3. Elias says the Rangers have scored five or more goals in back-to-back playoff games for the first time since April 16 and 18, 2008, when they earned consecutive 5-3 wins against the New Jersey Devils in the EQF.

* Elias says the Rangers scored five or more goals in back-to-back playoffs games on the road for the first time since April 21 and 24, 1994, in Game 3 and 4 of the EQF at the New York Islanders (5-1, 5-2).

* The Rangers won by more than one goal for the first time in this year's playoffs. Their last such victory was at the Montreal Canadiens on May 19, 2014, in Game 2 of the ECF (3-1 W).

* ICYMI: Nash was awarded the ceremonial Broadway Hat following the victory in Game 4.

NHL ANNOUNCES GENERAL MANAGER OF THE YEAR FINALISTS

Bob Murray of the Anaheim Ducks, Glen Sather of the Rangers and Steve Yzerman of the Lightning were named the three finalists for the 2014-15 NHL General Manager of the Year Award.

Voting for this award was conducted among the 30 club general managers and a panel of NHL executives, print and broadcast media at the conclusion of the second round of the playoffs. The winner will be announced on June 24, during the 2015 NHL Awards from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

Click here for more information on each finalist.

LOOSE PUCKS

The Rangers have scores 14 goals in their past three road games. ... The Rangers have allowed two goals or fewer in 22 of their past 23 playoff wins. ... Rangers coach Alain Vigneault earned his 60th career playoff win and passed Lindy Ruff for sole possession of 16th on the NHL’s all-time playoff wins list. … Rangers defenseman Dan Boyle (0-1—1) extended his point streak to three games (1-4—5). ... Tampa Bay forward Steven Stamkos scored his sixth goal of this year's playoffs, three of which have come during his playoff career-high three-game goal streak (3-2—5). ... Elias notes that Stamkos is the first Lightning player to score in three straight playoff games since Sean Bergenheim did so from May 3-14, 2011 (4-0—4). ... Tampa Bay forward Alex Killorn (0-1—1) extended his point streak to three games (3-3—6). ... Rangers defenseman Marc Staal skated in his 84th career playoff game; he tied defenseman Ron Greschner for fourth on the franchise’s all-time playoff games played list. ... Tampa Bay defenseman Mark Barberio skated in his first game of this year's playoffs. ... Tampa Bay goaltender Ben Bishop fell to 10-2-0 in 12 career games vs. the Rangers (regular season and playoffs). ... ICYMI: Click here to watch Rangers fans celebrate their Game 4 victory.