2022 NHL Eastern Conference Final preview: New York Rangers host Tampa Bay Lightning in Game 1

Fox News Flash top headlines are here. Check out what's clicking on Foxnews.com.

Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals kicks off on Wednesday night when the New York Rangers host the Tampa Bay Lighting who are looking to join the ranks of the few NHL teams to win three consecutive Stanley Cup titles. 

Only five teams have ever won the Stanley Cup three consecutive times, with the last being the New York Islanders who won four almost 40 years ago but if the Lightning hopes to accomplish such a feat, they’ll first have to defeat the Rangers in the conference finals. 

Here’s a brief look at each team going into the conference final.

2022 WESTERN CONFERENCE FINAL PREVIEW: COLORADO AVALANCHE HOST EDMONTON OILERS IN GAME 1

The New York Rangers celebrate a first period goal by Frank Vatrano #77 against the Carolina Hurricanes in Game Four of the Second Round of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Madison Square Garden on May 24, 2022 in New York  (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

One of "The Original Six," the New York Rankers have won four Stanley Cups with the most recent being in 1994 when Mark Messier scored the game-winning goal late in the second period to defeat the Vancouver Canucks.

Despite making 60 playoff appearances, New York has seemingly struggled – missing the playoffs altogether three of the last four seasons and failing to advance past the qualifying round in 2020. 

The Rangers last made a Stanley Cup appearance in 2014 but lost in five games to the Los Angeles Kings who earned their second championship in franchise history. 

But 2022 feels different. 

The Rangers finished second in the Metropolitan Division, beating the Pittsburgh Penguins in seven games to advance to the second round where they bested