NEW YORK — With the Lightning entering Friday in a scoring slump — by its standards, at least — coach Jon Cooper wasn't pushing the panic button.

"These guys know how to put the puck in the net," he said before the game against the Rangers. "For the most part, they have all year. They'll do it again. I'm not worried about that."

For good reason.

The Lightning, which had scored just four goals combined its previous three games, exploded for seven against the Rangers in a 7-3 win. That included three in the first 2:03 of the third period.

A common theme? The Lightning went to the dirty areas, crashing the crease to cash in. Cedric Paquette had two goals, one on a rebound. J.T. Miller's ninth with the Lightning since being acquired at last month's trade deadline came on a rebound at the right post. Alex Killorn put in his own rebound. What was more encouraging was that four of the seven goals were even strength (three of the Lightning's previous four goals had been on the power play).

Even Brayden Point, who had just one goal in his previous 10 games, scored twice.

Some big names are still in droughts. Captain Steven Stamkos is in a seasonlong 11-game slump. Yanni Gourde hasn't scored in 11 games, either.

Stamkos has talked about a nagging injury he has dealt with recently, one that sidelined him Monday against the Coyotes. But the All-Star knows he needs to be a bigger factor down the stretch. He entered Friday with four combined shots on goal in his previous four games and was minus-5 in his previous three. He had one shot against the Rangers and was minus-1.

"It's been a little bit of a grind lately," Stamkos said. "Obviously I've been battling through some stuff right now. But I'll keep grinding away. I've been in situations like this before. I'm just going to continue to work hard."

Showing fight

G Andrei Vasilevskiy earned rave reviews from teammates for his willingness to charge the length of the ice and challenge Bruins G Tuukka Rask on Thursday. Rask had punched F Cory Conacher in the back after a scramble in the crease, and Vasilevskiy had to be held back by a referee from entering the ensuing melee.

Stamkos said Vasilevskiy provided a spark. "It shows we stick up for one another," D Victor Hedman said. "Personally, I like it. 'Vasy' is a workhorse and stands up for teammates like we stand up for him. I like it."

Missing out

Former Lightning C Vladislav Namestnikov said it wouldn't be quite as weird facing the Lightning because it was the teams' second meeting since he was traded to the Rangers at the Feb. 26 deadline trade.

Does Namestnikov, a 2011 first-round draft pick by Tampa Bay, feel like he's missing out on a playoff run with the rebuilding Rangers, who didn't make the postseason?

"I was part of (the Lightning) organization since 2011, so it's like a second home," Namestnikov said. "It's tough to be traded. But nothing you can do about it. Just move on with your career and settle in somewhere else."