As mentioned in our preview of this series, goaltending will be a key element in the Stanley Cup Finals. Henrik Lundqvist and Jonathan Quick engaged in an entertaining duel in Game 1, with the former ultimately losing in overtime. Can the New York Rangers even the series? Or will the Kings go up 2-0?
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[sc:NHLArticles ]New York Rangers vs. Los Angeles Kings Stanley Cup Finals, Game 2 Preview
Series Scores & Schedule
Game 1 – June 4, New York 2 at Los Angeles 3 (OT)
Game 2 – June 7, 8:00 PM ET, New York at Los Angeles – view all NHL lines
Game 3 – June 9, 8:00 PM ET, Los Angeles at New York
Game 4 – June 11, 8:00 PM ET, Los Angeles at New York
Game 5 (if necessary) – June 13, 8:00 PM ET, New York at Los Angeles
Game 6 (if necessary) – June 16, 8:00 PM ET, Los Angeles at New York
Game 7 (if necessary) – June 18, 8:00 PM ET, New York at Los Angeles
Betting on the New York Rangers
The New York Rangers started strong, but ran out of gas late, especially on offense, causing them to drop their second-straight road game. The Rangers are now 4-2 in their last six games away from Madison Square Garden.
[sc:NHL240 ]Though Henrik Lundqvist was beaten in overtime, the Rangers could not have asked for more from their goalie. Lundqvist was phenomenal in the net, stopping 40 of the Kings’ 43 shots on goal, a monstrous effort that was only wasted by a lack of support from New York’s offense down the stretch.
The Rangers must stay aggressive on offense throughout the game, and not just in the opening period like in Game 1. New York had 13 shots on goal in the first period, but managed only 14 after the first intermission. While Lundqvist was making a heroic stand in the third period by turning away 20 shots to keep New York in the game, his team’s skaters on the other hand could only muster a ludicrous three on Jonathan Quick.
The series is far from over, but the Rangers will need more from high-priced forwards like Martin St. Louis and Rick Nash in crunch time in this series.
Betting on the Los Angeles Kings
Despite their penchant for comeback wins, the Kings would surely prefer to establish a lead or two. They will try to do just that in Game 2 at home, where they are now 4-1 in their last five games there.
Similar to some of their previous games in these Playoffs, the Kings’ scorers were able to cover for goalie Jonathan Quick’s shaky play. Quick let in the first two goals of Game 1, but was outstanding the rest of the way. Quick had 25 saves out of 27 shots he faced for a .926 SV%. Expect Quick to be in the zone in Game 2, as he tries to bounce back.
The Kings have played the maximum amount of games a team can play in reaching the Stanley Cup Finals, having gone to Game 7 against San Jose, Anaheim, and Chicago. They’re tired. They’re banged up. And although they looked just fine in the first game, scrambling to get back into that game was undeniably taxing. The fatigue may start to show up in Game 2, and the Kings need to strike early to avoid playing catchup hockey.
The Kings’ top scoring guys like Marian Gaborik, Jeff Carter, and Tyler Toffoli have yet to deal damage on offense, but they may be due for a breakout on Saturday.
The over is 6-0-1 in the Kings last seven games overall.
Writer’s Prediction
Lundqvist finds it hard to top his epic performance in Game 1, and he’ll fall victim to Los Angeles’ vaunted offense. The tired Kings (-150) win again.
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