GAME 3 AT MSG

For sure. We have all spent time really focused on can we comeback from 2-0 down, but now it doesn't matter anymore, we are where we are. All that matters now is game 3. We win and we are right back in the series and we make game 4 matter. That is the focus. Make game 4 matter now, and the only way it matters is if we win game 3.

 

I was more nervous in the EC series than I am in SC for some odd reason..maybe it's due to just enjoying the fact they are in the finals a bit unexpectedly or just realizing they are underdogs and letting it play out. That said it was very disappointing not to see them come away with at least one there.

 

I am starting to feel better about Game 3. Before the series started I really thought to win this series they had to get a split in LA and thought game 1 was the best shot for obvious reasons.

Now that I have seen them play these games I am surprised at the level of play the Rangers have had and also surprised at the lack of strong play by LA.

Here is the good news: The Rangers have for the most part played better than LA. Sure there have been numerous defensive breakdowns and turnovers but we should take solace in knowing that even though many including me think LA is a better team, they have not been the better team in this series. The Rangers biggest challenge is emotionally getting over those losses. Its pretty hard to do even as fans and I understand the logic that its hard to win a series when you are down 0-2 and have been the better team.

The reality is the Kings have gotten a TON OF BREAKS in the 2 games.

Think about it. Hags almost scores to end game 1 before the 1st OT. Girardi inexplicably falls down and shanks a giveaway right to Mike Richards for basically a easy wrist shot for Williams to end the game.

Game 2 there were numerous breaks for the Kings. Both teams had crucial giveaways that led to goals, fine but then you have the 3rd goal by the Kings. It should have never counted. Lucky break, even if its not a penalty its not a goal. Its one thing to get breaks, its another thing to get them on a crucial goal. On the 4th goal by Gaborik in the same sequence McD falls down and Kreider has a sweet pass to Gaborik for the goal. Very lucky for LA. LA had giveaways but nothing like that. Then we get to OT and Kreider in close hits a post. Kreider get a breakaway and the Kings dman makes a good play at end to get his stick in Kreiders skate affecting the shot. Not a penalty but a lucky play in many ways. What I am saying is you cannot control these breaks and eventually they might even out.

The pessimist in me would say the Kings are up 2-0 and haven't played well. But you know what, despite the obvious turnovers and mixed play at times the Rangers have been the better team. Better than the mighty Kings. They just need to find a way to win on home ice tomorrow and this series could change very fast. You gotta get over the emotional aspect of losing 2 brutal games, the 2nd one when you were CLEARLY the better team. Time will tell but I think they can do it. You go back to the Garden Wed night down 2-1 and people will not be pessimistic. In fact, they win on Monday I think they have an excellent chance of making this a best of 3 starting Friday night.

 

Well said Dist., that's pretty much where it stands. It's been an exciting series that's for sure, even with the outcomes.

 

I do agree with your comment on game 3 being more emotional/mental than physical. If we can overcome the mental aspects of dealing with two brutal L's in LA, I think we can win game 3. If we at all feel deflated and/or down because we blew two huge chances, I think we are in huge trouble.

I will also add this, we have played nearly 8 periods of hockey thus far, and we have been better or as good in 7 of them. Outside of the 3rd in game 1 I think we have been worst case as good as the Kings. That has to make you feel good. To me we have shown how good we are, BUT in the SCF you win or it doesn't matter. That's the bottom line.

 

The kings have to worn out at some point. They've played a lot of hockey in this post season as in 3 straight OT games for them now and 3 seven game series. They just have to get worn out eventually. Hopefully their luck has run out by game 3.

 

Obviously a virtual must win.

I'm telling you, I really think this game is more mental than physical. If we have ANY doubt or ANY woes me feelings at all after losing two heartbreakers in LA we will lose tonight. If we have any feelings of we should be up 2-0 or worst case tied 1-1 and that enters our mindset we will lose.

If we come in angry saying what we did just wasn't good enough, accepting the challenge, and knowing we need to raise another level, then I see no reason we can't win tonight.

It won't be easy though. Despite what you say, human nature in this situation is to feel down or like we lost a great chance. So it will take a lot of internal fortitude to have the right mindset into this game tonight.

 

It is a combination of both, chuck. I think the kings are more mentally tougher team. They've played a lot of hockey over the last 3 years. They know how to pull wins out of their ass. On top of this, they are the luckiest team I've ever seen. Three straight wins in OT in the playoffs. That says it all.

 

The kings string of 3 games won in a row where they never have a lead for a single second till OT ends tonight. The 4 leaf clover up their asses falls out and the glass slipper breaks as it hits the ice. Rangers win game 3 4-1 tonite and get back in the series.

 

Hopefully, the kings luck has run its course.

 

SHUTOUT TONIGHT. It will take an act of the Man upstairs to get one past Hank tonight.
The Garden will rock and it all starts with the anthem, I don't even want to be able to hear Johnny A.
All those suits do the right thing and act like a real fan and not some big wig wanting people to be envy of them in the stands.
I expect a 3-0 game tonight.

 

I'm glad to see this thread. Was surprised to see all the whining and crying on this board. Facts are NYR have carried more of the play than LA for most of 9 periods. They have never trailed. When LA cut the lead to 2-1 then 3-2, they could have folded but responded with goals. At 4-2, the officials basically placed the puck in in our net and said we are making this game 4-3, now play. Took a few minutes to recover and one mistake led to a tie game. They didn't fold, but instead had the better of the play for the 2nd half of the 3rd and both ot's. We had the puck more, more scoring chances, and I believe even out hit them. We hit a post and they scored on a great tip. If Kreider's shot is an inch to the right, everyone is talking how resilient we are and what a great win. It's that close. They have proved to me they are just as good as LA. LA is solid but not the mid '80's Oilers. It's like 2 heavyweights going toe to toe and a bounce, break, or 1 great play decides it. LA got the breaks and calls and eked out wins at home. No reason we can't hold serve in our building. Be confidant and Lets Go Rangers!

 

1962, you mean whining and crying like "At 4-2, the officials basically placed the puck in in our net and said we are making this game 4-3 now play Or LA got the breaks and calls. Ha ha ha.

 

62, I agree with what you said, but the bottom line is we are in a huge 2-0 hole, and it is a huge hole based on all-time %'s. That is all that matters sadly. No better team but lost OR moral victories in the SCF. We'll find out if we can climb out of it starting tonight.

 

No mrmel, I mean comments like LA is just tougher, better, certain of our guys stink, we panic, our dmen are timid, we're chokers, forget about it series over. Things like that. I brought the non call up to show that the Rangers are tough and resilient for if they weren't, they would have been dominated and lost in regulation without a fight. Wasn't whining about it and saying that is why we lost.

 

Chuck, I didn't say we aren't in a hole or that it would be easy. Just saying the difference so far is razor thin, LA is not dominant, and there's no reason why we can't pull this off. Giving % on winning 4 of 5 is just numbers to me, and hopefully to the players. Win our 2 home games, which is quite possible, and it's a best of 3. Then the numbers change. Could we not win a best of 3 because we just won 2 in a row and that would ultimately be 4 of 5? I can't and won't think in those terms. I'm excited, proud of this team, think they're every bit as good as LA, and feel we can win 4 out of 7 against them. My suggestion is to not focus on numbers. What did the numbers say when LA was down 3-0 or we were down to Pitt 3-1, never coming from that far down in our history?

 

31, I know what you're saying. They have capitalized more than us, which is why they lead 2-0. All credit to Brown for his tip. Absolutely great play. All I can say to that is that the rate of speed with which both teams are playing mistakes are going to happen. We have to clean up some for sure. LA I believe statistically has turned it our twice as much as we have. Give credit to both teams for forcing turnovers for the most part. Again, Kreider's shot 1 inch to the right and it's a different discussion, but it wasn't so we missed an opportunity and didn't capitalize. Maybe "every bit as good" was a poor choice of words on my part. Didn't want to say the same "we can play with them". My point is the difference is so razor thin, I consider it to be 2 even teams after all I heard in the media was that we didn't belong on the ice with them. One bounce or great play can and has decided these games, just like they did in LA vs Chicago. It's that close. When it's over, the team that wins is better. No one has won yet, and we haven't played a home game yet. I was just glad to see this positive thread after reading so much negativity yesterday.