The Booms was off on Friday, and he'll be off on Monday too, but he had to call in to Jerry Recco & Sal Licata Friday morning to discuss the Rangers' Game 5 loss to the Lightning - and wasn't as upset as you'd think.
"There's a lot of things to process...but from my eyes, a hockey game like that last night was incredible. It was physical, fast-paced, back and forth, they were grinding in the corners, and the goalies were unbelievable," Boomer said. "We had opportunities, but Vasilevskiy turned back into Vasilevskiy."
Although, he laments that while one mistake benefitted the Rangers, two cost them the tying goal and then a possible game winner.
"If Ryan Strome is able to handle the pass from Andrew Copp, I think we're looking at a 2-1 Rangers win, and we're all looking forward to Game 6 and what it will take to win," Boomer said. "But because we lose the game, can't bury the goal, and there were two 'oh by the way' goals from the blue line, it was very frustrating."
And, he has a message for those who are lamenting that, after going up 2-0 at MSG, the Rangers have lost three in a row to the defending two-time Stanley Cup champs.
"The Tampa Bay Lightning are a great hockey team; they play tremendous defensive hockey and know how to close the gaps," Boomer said. "Igor (Shesterkin) has been playing great, but there have been some mistakes and those things happen - but our team afforded themselves well."
The Rangers will now have to win Game 6 in Tampa - where the Lightning are 6-1 in the playoffs, but have won six straight since losing Game 3 to Toronto in the first round - to even get back to MSG, where they have only lost twice this postseason, for a third straight Game 7.
Boomer fondly remembers a similar situation in 1994, but this one is going to be harder - but he thinks the Rangers can do it.
"There's no Messier walking through the door, guaranteeing a Game 6 win on the other team's ice, I can tell you that," Boomer said. "But as an athlete, all you want is a chance, and that's what the Rangers have now. Their backs are against the wall, but they have a chance."
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Follow Sal Licata on Twitter: @sal_licata
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