Short-handed New York Rangers expect to be 'hungry and angrier' on home ice after Game 4 loss

TAMPA, Fla. — The New York Rangers will be «angrier» heading back home after back-to-back losses to the Tampa Bay Lightning tied the Eastern Conference Final at 2-2, according to forward Artemi Panarin.

«It makes us more hungry and angrier. Sometimes that's good when you've lost. I think it's just how we'll react. I don't think we've lost our confidence. Only be more hungry next game,» he said after their 4-1 Game 4 loss on Tuesday night.

The Rangers have been a different team home and away in their Stanley Cup Playoff run. At Madison Square Garden, they average 4.22 goals per game and give up 2.22 goals per game. On the road, the Rangers average 2.44 goals per game and allow 3.67 goals per game.

Most importantly, the Rangers are on an eight-game winning streak in New York, with their only postseason loss coming in triple overtime of Game 1 against the Pittsburgh Penguins in the opening round.

«I'm hoping it's going to be a homer series. That's what it looks like so far. We're pretty good in our building, they're pretty good in their building,» Rangers coach Gerard Gallant said.

Like his players, Gallant believes the Rangers can be confident going home. Just not overconfident.

«They better be calm, but they better go out and play harder. It's a two out of three,» he said. «We have the home ice. But we've gotta play better.»

The Lightning found their game at home, frustrating the Rangers' top scorers. New York has scored one even-strength goal since the first period of Game 2. They scored three power play goals in Tampa, including Panarin's in Game 4.

«They're back-to-back Stanley Cup champions. We're in the Eastern Conference finals playing a really good team,» defenseman Jacob Trouba said. «I don't think we expected to