***

The Lightning and Rangers square off Saturday. Interestingly, Tampa Bay topped New York in all three meetings during the regular season, and the Lightning scored at least four goals in each game. The combined score was 15-7, and there were a combined seven power-play goals, with the Lightning scoring four of them.

However, the last meeting between the two teams was Monday, December 1. Five months have passed.

The Rangers have scored just three more goals than their opponent through their 12 playoff games, and they’ve actually allowed one more goal than they’ve scored at even strength. The Lightning aren’t significantly ahead, though. They’ve got a plus-6 goal differential, and are plus-4 at even strength. 

The power play has been huge for both teams. Tampa Bay has converted nine power-play opportunities, and the Rangers have scored six times. The Lightning have surrendered two shorthanded goals, though. Tampa will have to be careful, too, because New York utilizes a number of their skilled forwards on their penalty-kill units — Carl Hagelin, Derek Stepan and Rick Nash.

Ryan Callahan practiced in a regular colored jersey Thursday, May 14, and he hasn’t been ruled out of Game 1 yet. The Rangers have their own injury concerns. Dan Boyle is feeling better and will be further evaluated Friday, May 15, according to head coach Alain Vigneault. Mats Zuccarello has begun working out, and Vigneault noted his fingers are crossed, and there is always hope Zuccarello can return at some point in the Eastern Conference Finals.

Both Callahan and Zuccarello leave modest holes in their respective lineups, but Boyle sounds like he’ll be able to play in Game 1, at this point. Callahan actually seems likely, too. It doesn’t appear Callahan will miss a significant chunk of the series, at least.

The speed these two teams play with will make for an extremely exciting series. It’ll be interesting to see if the Rangers can turn it on offensively and score enough goals. Tampa Bay proved they’re no slouches defensively, as they’re allowing just 2.15 goals per game during the playoffs. The Rangers are averaging just 1.92.

Outside the rare game, the Eastern Conference has yielding hard-fought, low-scoring games. It isn’t likely to change significantly during this series.

***

Here are the biggest fantasy moves from the teams remaining in the playoffs. Mike has discussed Chris Kreider‘s pending breakout, so I’ve excused him. I’m bullish for the linebacker, too.

Up

Jakob Silfverberg – While he showed signs during the regular season, including a 27-game stretch with eight goals, 11 helpers and a plus-12 rating, the real breakout appears to be looming. Reaching the 50-point benchmark is a modest early projection, especially if he plays 18-plus minutes a night, which he has averaged in the playoffs. 15:40 was his regular season average per game. Just note, you can bank on him being a heavily inked sleeper leading into the 2015-16 season.

Cam Fowler – Other youngsters are mentioned more frequently, but Fowler will enter his age-24 season with 345 games on his resume next fall. He already has 150 points at the highest level, too, and he is a staple on the power play. Returning to the 40-point plateau with a plus-rating and an uptick in shots (just 87 this season) seems likely. He’ll be available late to round out your defense corps in the majority of leagues, too.

Brandon Saad – The offensive numbers haven’t been there during the playoffs, but his ice time is telling. Saad leads all Chicago forwards in minutes per game, and in his age-23 season taking another step forward offensively is likely. He has posted 99 points — 42 goals goals — over the past two seasons, and a jump into the 60-point club is a safe projection. There is upside for 70 points, too.

Teuvo Teravainen – With the Hawks pressed to the cap, there is likely to be a larger role or two available among the Hawks forward corps next season. Enter Teravainen. He has proven to be a responsible two-way winger and there is modest offensive upside. Still, he is likely only a viable option in deep leagues.

Kevin Hayes – A mainstay of my ramblings, as long as he maintains winger eligibility, he’ll be an excellent lineup filler in the majority of leagues. However, with center being extremely deep, he may be best left to deep league considerations. Still, the arrow is pointing straight up.

Tyler Johnson – In the majority of points-only formats, it would be tough to argue with Johnson as a first-round selection, wouldn’t it? Any doubt about the legitimacy surrounding the legitimacy of his offense has to be over with after his scorching hot two playoff rounds, right?

Victor Hedman – It isn’t a matter of if, but now it’s when will Hedman enter the top-tier ranks among his peers? He was there out of the gates this season, and a string of 10 dominant fantasy seasons appears immanent. Keeper leaguers looking for a blue line building block should look no further.

Down

Kyle Palmieri – His top-six chances are likely over with the Ducks, as he has been leapfrogged by Patrick Maroon, Silfverberg and likely Emerson Etem. Outside of deep leagues, there isn’t any room for bottom-six wingers. At best, Palmieri slots in as a speculative flier next fall, and he is best left on the waiver wire in the majority of formats.

Kris Versteeg – Whether his reduced role is injury related or not, Versteeg will be lucky to land a top-six role next season, at least on the merits of his play. He finished the regular season with just five goals and two helpers over his final 28 games, after all. If there is any way the Hawks could unload his contract, it is likely they would.

Martin St. Louis – He is an unrestricted free agent, and the market will likely dictate his fantasy value, as in where he ends up. Will he return to the Rangers? Regardless, St. Louis will likely look to score 47 more points to hit the 1000 mark. It may be a tall task for a single season, though.