Tuesday May 1

As one team took a commanding lead in their series on Tuesday night another took advantage of their foe's offensive woes to even their matchup. In both games Former Islanders played roles. Here is a quick look:

• The New York Rangers stormed back into their series against the Buffalo Sabres with a 2-1 win to even the competition up at a 2 wins a side. It was the second consecutive game the Rangers won by that score and comes as the Sabres continue to struggle in the offensive zone. Tim Connolly assisted on Buffalo's lone goal, a even strength tally 33 seconds after the Rangers made it 2-0 in the third period. Connolly now has 3 assist in the last 3 games and overall has 6 points in 9 games this postseason. For his playoff career, Connolly is averaging a point a game with 5 goals and 12 assists for 17 points in 17 games.
• Out West, the Anaheim Ducks grabbed the stranglehold 3-1 series lead over the Vancouver Canucks with a 3-2 come-from-behind OT win north of the border. Trevor Linden assisted on the opening goal of the game for Vancouver 12:55 into the first period. Linden, tied for team lead in playoff points, has 2 goals and 5 assists for 7 points in 11 games. Linden has 4 points in his last 5 games overall.
• Roberto Luongo dropped below .500 in his pursuit of playoff excellence. He is now 5-6 in the Stanley Cup playoffs. He stopped 27 of 30 shots in regulation and OT surrendering the game winner only 2:07 into the overtime frame. His goals against average has climbed to 1.80 while his save percentage has dropped to a "plebian" .938.

Two more games are up for grabs on Wednesday night. Keep posted for all your playoff and Former Islander action on FIW.