Yes Dis, game 1 is huge IMO. If we cannot win that game coming off of extra rest, and the Kings having little rest after a long and emotional WCF, flying back from Chicago early Monday morning, that is not a good sign for us. And to me would make game 2 a must win.
Guys like Hagelin MZ and MSL will have to use their speed and size to find pockets for making plays, just as Im sure LA wants to use their overall size advantage. Interesting dichotomy of styles.
one team's luck will run out.. the rangers win this series if it goes to game 7, no team has ever won 4 game 7's in same year the kings win this in 6 i have absolutley no concerns in this series, i am proud of this team, i will sit back and enjoy.... BUT!!!!!!! if girardi or staal blow the series with thier boneheaded play, i will f n FREAK
LA leads all teams in the playoffs in hits with 898. The Rangers are second with 587. LA has 510 hits on the road compared to only 388 at home. In game seven, LA out hit Chicago 43 to 28.
I know one thing is sure guaranteed. Pasta and struds will be freaking out and jumping ship as soon as the rangers have a rough game
LA is very physical team, thats for sure. It will be interesting to see if the rangers smaller players can withstand the physicality. Flyers are very physical team too and they were able to skate circles around them. We'll see.
pardon me if someone posted this but its 8-5 odds favoring the kings, thats not so bad, most thought 2 to 1
Another key factor in the Cup will be the officiating and the Rangers ability to capitalize on a penalty prone King team, the Kings played one more game than the Rangers but took 19 more penalties in the playoffs. I think guys like Moore and Dorsett can get under the Kings skin and if so AV has to have the PP humming.
The only reason Gaborik was invisible, was because he was basically the only true scorer this team had. Teams keyed on Gaborik for 60 minutes, making his life a living hell.
If the Rangers come out skating and hitting hard for a full 60 minutes, they can beat anybody. Hank needs to be GREAT, and the defense needs to be even GREATER in front of him. The Rangers are faster, so I expect to see some odd man rushes on Quick. Rangers in 6 ... I'm a Rangers fan, can't pick against them.
The Rangers are not the better team but I just think its their year. They are going to find a way to win this series
Its a great stat in our favor Struds The last 3 SC champs let the NHL playoffs in 5 on 5 goal differential.....Hmmmm
