Stanley Cup Finals 2014

[Christiann]

I know we have the hockey discussion for the most part in the Rangers thread but I thought the SCF deserved it's own thread.

LOS ANGELES KINGS

vs.

NEW YORK RANGERS

I honestly can't wait for tomorrow, it's been such an exciting playoffs in both conferences and I expect the finals to be no different. I think the Rangers are a lot better than people are giving them credit for, and with Lundqvist backing them it isn't going to be a cake walk. I have my concerns about the fatigue of the team, but I believe my Kings will pull this out in 6. The depth has really started to blossom, especially in these playoffs.

All in all though, I want to see a good series of the powerhouse cities going at it! #GKG

 

[Future]

I'm so sick and tired of hearing about the Kings depth, they don't have any more than the Rangers and are weaker on the blueline, especially until Regehr regains his form. Both teams have the same number of forwards with more than 10 points, and the Rangers not only played one less game but had a player (Brassard) with 9 points who missed two games. The Rangers 4th line is outstanding in terms of puck possession.

This whole rhetoric of the Rangers being huge underdogs is just kind of absurd to me. I don't get how people are saying Kings in 5 or 6 constantly as if the Rangers have no shot. Is favoring the Kings justified, sure, but the Rangers were one of the best road teams in hockey, split the season series with LA (should have won both), and won 8 more games from Dec. 22 to the end of the season than LA.

 

[Craig]

The Kings forward depth completely outclasses New York's, and for 30 minutes a game they have the best defenseman on the ice. New York does have a better set of defensemen overall, but when Doughty is on the ice, i'll take him and whoever hes with than any two of the Rangers defensemen. Goaltending is a wash i'd say. I'm in the Kings in 5 camp. I'd guess the goal differential for the series no matter how many games ends up being pretty tiny though.

 

[Christiann]

I'm so sick and tired of hearing about the Kings depth, they don't have any more than the Rangers and are weaker on the blueline, especially until Regehr regains his form. Both teams have the same number of forwards with more than 10 points, and the Rangers not only played one less game but had a player (Brassard) with 9 points who missed two games. The Rangers 4th line is outstanding in terms of puck possession.

This whole rhetoric of the Rangers being huge underdogs is just kind of absurd to me. I don't get how people are saying Kings in 5 or 6 constantly as if the Rangers have no shot. Is favoring the Kings justified, sure, but the Rangers were one of the best road teams in hockey, split the season series with LA (should have won both), and won 8 more games from Dec. 22 to the end of the season than LA.

As I stated in my original post, I do whole-heartedly agree that people aren't giving the Rangers their proper respect. ALOT of talent in the top 3 lines, with lots of speed on the wings that if we(Kings) don't maintain then we are in for some long periods. The Doughty/Muzzin pairing has been awesome, but you are right about Regehr because we need him back tremendously. Mat Greene has shown signs of life but for the most part has been a liability since 2012 with injuries and just subpar play. For myself though, I've watched my squad all season long and the talking about the depth isn't much of a surprise, at least to me. The biggest thing I've seen flourish through the end of season and specifically the playoffs are the 70's line. They have been huge for us. All in all it's going to be a good series, and nothing is going to be a cakewalk.

 

[Craig]

I read that Regehr considers himself ready for tonight even though he isn't playing. If the Kings feel they need him back, sounds like he's definitely available for game 2.

 

[Christiann]

1-0.

 

[Vtwin]

Great game. LOVED they called that diving penalty in the first game of the SCF. Set the tone for the rest of the series and hopefully beyond.

 

[Future]

Great game. LOVED they called that diving penalty in the first game of the SCF. Set the tone for the rest of the series and hopefully beyond.

Agreed, though I never really thought that would be much of a factor this series.

 

[Vtwin]

Agreed, though I never really thought that would be much of a factor this series.

I agree. There are very few teams that engage that tactic as a strategy but if it works for them it almost forces others to follow suit to be competitive.

I love the style both the Rangers and the Kings play.

 

[CanadianCowboysFan]

Gotta suck for Rangers have not trailed in either game but are down 0-2.

 

[CanadianCowboysFan]

Great game. LOVED they called that diving penalty in the first game of the SCF. Set the tone for the rest of the series and hopefully beyond.

Great dive by Brassard in game 1 and huge embellishments by Nash and Lundqvist tonight. Rangers must teach their players to play that way.

 

[Joe Realist]

Rangers have played well. These Kings are hard to believe - they way they keep coming back - this whole playoff season. I know the series still has a long way to go, however, I've never seen a team get down, behind so often and come back to win.

 

[Future]

Rangers have played well. These Kings are hard to believe - they way they keep coming back - this whole playoff season. I know the series still has a long way to go, however, I've never seen a team get down, behind so often and come back to win.

It really is astonishing.

Not for nothing, but it helps when the refs hand you games like they did last night with the no-call goalie interference.

 

[LittleBoyBlue]

I'm so sick and tired of hearing about the Kings depth, they don't have any more than the Rangers and are weaker on the blueline, especially until Regehr regains his form. Both teams have the same number of forwards with more than 10 points, and the Rangers not only played one less game but had a player (Brassard) with 9 points who missed two games. The Rangers 4th line is outstanding in terms of puck possession.

This whole rhetoric of the Rangers being huge underdogs is just kind of absurd to me. I don't get how people are saying Kings in 5 or 6 constantly as if the Rangers have no shot. Is favoring the Kings justified, sure, but the Rangers were one of the best road teams in hockey, split the season series with LA (should have won both), and won 8 more games from Dec. 22 to the end of the season than LA.

Rangers are playing admirably... But they might get swept.

Their defense needed to hold one of the games. They didn't.


Maybe they need to go down 3-1 first?

 

[Future]

Rangers are playing admirably... But they might get swept.

Their defense needed to hold one of the games. They didn't.

Maybe they need to go down 3-1 first?

Nah, they're playing crappy.

The moment looks to big for them, to be honest.

Having said that, there's no reason to think they can't win two in a row at home. Recovering from a 2 goal deficit isn't sustainable, maybe that will finally catch up to the Kings.

 

[CanadianCowboysFan]

It really is astonishing.

Not for nothing, but it helps when the refs hand you games like they did last night with the no-call goalie interference.

payback for what Kreider did to Price?

 

[Future]

payback for what Kreider did to Price?

Troll level Canadien

 

[CanadianCowboysFan]

Well it is funny how RangerFan loved to state how we were taught to embellish, were coached that way, yet this series, it is has been the Rangers diving like Greg Louganis and I haven't heard a peep out of you re that.

Just shows that ALL teams embellish at times, it is not some evil corporate culture the "frogs" teach their players.

You haven't lost a home game yet, all is not lost.

1971 Canadiens, 2011 Bruins lost both on the road and still came back to win the Final.

 

[LittleBoyBlue]

Nah, they're playing crappy.

The moment looks to big for them, to be honest.

Having said that, there's no reason to think they can't win two in a row at home. Recovering from a 2 goal deficit isn't sustainable, maybe that will finally catch up to the Kings.

I completely disagree. Crappy? One point losses, tight games. They are going toe to toe. Just took knockout punches at the end of each fame.

 

[Future]

I completely disagree. Crappy? One point losses, tight games. They are going toe to toe. Just took knockout punches at the end of each fame.[/quotes]
If you blow three two goal leads in one game, you played crappy.

Maybe inconsistent is the better word, since there have been good moments, but you don't give up that many goals and lose two straight games playing well. The third period in game one might have been their worst of the entire playofffs.