In this meeting, the Lightning, who had benefited from nine days of rest after qualifying at the expense of the Florida Panthers in the Florida derby in the previous round, held half the match.
The score was still 2-2 midway through the second period, before Rangers then made the difference.
Filip Chytil distinguished himself in their ranks by scoring a double.
But the Rangers, who had snatched their qualification for this Conference final in the 7th and last game in the previous round, were above all able to count on a goalkeeper in a state of grace.
Russia's Igor Shesterkin delighted the Madison Square Garden audience with 37 saves.
New York Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin in Game 1 of the NHL Eastern Conference Finals against the Tampa Bay Lightning on June 1, 2022 at Madison Square Garden in New York Sarah Stier GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP
The winner of the series will meet in the Stanley Cup - the final of the NHL - the Edmonton Oilers or the Colorado Avalanche, opposed in the final to the West.
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Eastern Conference
NY Rangers - Tampa Bay Lightning 6-2
New York leads 1-0
Coming:
Friday, June 3: game N.2, NY Rangers - Tampa Bay Lightning
Sunday, June 5: game N.3, Tampa Bay Lightning - NY Rangers
Tuesday, June 7: Game N.4, Tampa Bay Lightning - NY Rangers
Thursday, June 9: (if necessary) game N.5 NY Rangers - Tampa Bay Lightning
Saturday June 11: (if necessary) game N.6, Tampa Bay Lightning - NY Rangers
Monday, June 13: (if necessary) game N.7, NY Rangers - Tampa Bay Lightning
NB: each series is played best of seven matches, the first team to achieve four wins advances to the next round
© 2022 AFP