The New York Rangers lived to fight for at least one more game after carving out a 2-1 win in Game 4 of the 2014 Stanley Cup Final against the Los Angeles Kings. We predicted this series to go the full seven games in our preview, but it could end in five on Friday at Staples Center. Can the Kings nip the Rangers in Game 5? Or will New York keep its Cup hopes alive?
New York Rangers vs. Los Angeles Kings Stanley Cup Finals, Game 5 Preview
Series Scores & Schedule
Game 1 – June 4, New York 2 at Los Angeles 3 (OT)
Game 2 – June 7, New York 4 at Los Angeles 5 (OT)
Game 3 – June 9, Los Angeles 3 at New York 0
Game 4 – June 11, Los Angeles 1 at New York 2
Game 5 – June 13, 8:00 PM ET, New York (+150) at Los Angeles (-170); total 5.0 – view all NHL lines
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
[sc:NHL240 ]Whatever happens, the New York Rangers aren’t going to be swept in this series. And the people of New York can thank Henrik Lundqvist for that, as he kept the blue shirts in the mix single-handedly. Lundqvist weathered a hail of shots in Game 4, stopping all but one of the 41 shots he faced (.976 SV%).
The Rangers seemed to get themselves going when they’re on the brink of elimination. Dating back to 2012, they are 11-2 in their last 13 games under the gun.
But while Lundqvist has stepped up his game, Rick Nash on the other hand has been missing so far in the finals. A lot was expected from Nash, especially after having a great Eastern Conference Final series against the Montreal Canadiens. However, he is an atrocious 0-for-16 shooting through four games against the Kings. Even more abysmal was the Rangers’ power play, which is now 1-for-20 in the series.
Another Ranger that needs to straighten up his play is defenseman Dan Girardi. Girardi is having an unremarkable series thus far. He added another blunder to his Stanley Cup resume in Game 4, when he gave away the puck that resulted in a Dustin Brown breakaway goal.
Girardi’s turnover was part of a trend: his team had 10 giveaways in Game 4, five more than the Kings.
The Rangers are 5-5 in their last 10 road games.
Betting on the Los Angeles Kings
What could have been the game-tying goal for the Kings came just inches short of getting past the goal line on Wednesday night:
It was that kind of night for Los Angeles, who has scored just one goal, their fewest in their last 10 games. Still, the Kings will have another crack at winning the Cup at home. They are 5-1 in their last six home games.
The Kings reverted to their tendencies to allow the opponent to score first. It has been a nagging problem for Los Angeles, and the team needs to address that in Game 5. Los Angeles has now trailed at the end of the first period eight times (15 goals allowed) in their last 11 games.
The first line of Anze Kopitar, Marian Gaborik and Dustin Brown, which has been awesome in these Playoffs with three goals and three assists, along with the second line of Jeff Carter Tanner Pearson and Tyler Toffoli (0-for-14 in Game 4) could deal heavy damage for the Kings in Game 5. Another strong performance from Jonathan Quick and the Kings will have a big chance of raising the Cup at home on Friday.
The Kings are averaging 3.4 GF/G at home in these Playoffs. The over is 4-1 in their last five home games.
Writer’s Prediction
With their offense coming back to life, the Kings (-170) win the Stanley Cup at home on Friday.
