NEW YORK (AP) - Tyler Johnson is carrying the Tampa Bay Lightning in the playoff and making more than a name for himself.
The 24-year-old is becoming one of the front-runners to be the postseason MVP.
Johnson scored short-handed, even strength and on the power play in tallying the first hat trick in Lightning playoff history and Tampa Bay got its high-scoring offense in gear and evened the Eastern Conference finals with a 6-2 victory over the stumbling New York Rangers on Monday night.
Alex Killorn added two goals and Steven Stamkos had one and the Lightning bounced back from a crushing late loss on Saturday and made the Presidents' Trophy winners pay for every slip, penalty and mistake.
Chris Kreider and Derek Stepan scored for the Rangers in the wide-open, penalty-filled matchup that ended New York's run of playing in 15 straight playoffs games decided by one goal.
Henrik Lundqvist, who gave up at least five goals in two of three regular-season games against Tampa Bay this season, gave up six on just 26 shots.
The series shifts to Florida for games Wednesday and Friday.
Ben Bishop had another big game for the Lightning, making 35 saves. Both Rangers goals came on the power play.
The Rangers were just sloppy. Players falling led to two Lightning goals on odd-man rushes. Tampa scored three times on the power play, once short-handed and once just after a power play ended.
Johnson came into the game leading the NHL with eight postseason goals.