Last night gave us our first overtime in a Conference Finals Game 7 in over a decade. Off a slapshot from Alec Martinez, the Los Angeles Kings were able to take out the defending Stanley Cup Champion Chicago Blackhawks.
The New York Rangers have spent the last few days watching and waiting, before finding out who they’d face in the Finals. After defeating the Montreal Canadiens in Game 6, the Rangers knew they’d be on the road for Game 1 of the Finals, it was just a matter of where.
Game 1 is set to take place Wednesday night, at the Staples Center in Los Angles, puck drop at 8pm EST.
Series X-Factor
For New York it will be up to Henrik Lundqvist to keep the Rangers in this series. The goaltender is playing some of the best hockey in his career this post season. Henrik has been a step ahead of Jonathan Quick this postseason.
Henrik dominates Quick in every goalie statistical category. He leads the Stanley Cup Playoffs with his .928 save percentage, and the Rangers are averaging only 2.25 goals given up a game. What scares me about Lundqvist is that he is 3-4-1 all-time against the Kings, allowing 20 goals in eight games. He’ll need some help from Martin St. Louis, Derek Stepan (13pts each) and company. If the Rangers can take one game of the first two games in Los Angeles, I like their chances.
On the Kings side watch how deep this team is. Between Anze Kopitar and Marian Gaborik, they’ve combined for 43 points so far this post season, and that number will continue to rise. Although Lundqvist has the shutout ability every night, the Kings will be able to do what they do best, score.
The Kings defense is not shy to add to the scoring either. Drew Doughty and Alec Martinez have 4 goals, while Jake Muzzin has 5. The Kings are deep enough to roll all four lines against New York, will the Rangers be able to handle the constant pressure?
Series Prediction
New York has proven everyone wrong in the Eastern Conference so far after the first round this postseason. Although they lucked out in avoiding Boston and playing the lackluster Penguins, the Rangers will have their hands full with Los Angeles.
Originally I had Boston over Chicago in my Playoff bracket, that didn’t pan out too well. I’m going to go with King Henrik and the Rangers in 6 games to take the cup on their home ice at Madison Square Garden.
The Rangers have enough offense to take the series, as long as they can hold the Kings off their current pace of 2.86 goals per game. Henrik has the ability to shock the world, and I think he does just that.
ps- King Henrik celebrating bonus gif
photo credit: getty images gifs: officialnhl/sohockeyeh
