I dunno... Rags are pretty darned deep themselves.
- Tomahawk

They have some guys who can score, but they do go in prolonged slumps where they don't generate a lot of chances. And we have seen their PP be ice cold.

They need Nash to be Nash in this series. He's got to have a huge series.

I just think they are stepping into a different weight class here. They haven't seen anything in the first 3 rounds that remotely resembles this Kings team. That said, that's why they play the games.

Plus, they have the better goalie.
- bradleyc4

yes they do, but not by such a wide margin.

I think LA is a worse matchup for the Rangers. I still don't fully trust Crawford. He's still prone to the soft goal once in a while. What happens in these Finals if the Rags see Quick's A game? If that happens, it won't be much of a series imo.
- PLindbergh31

Quick, for all the love he gets, is also prone to the "Holy crap, when did the Kings sign Michael Leighton?!?!?" Softie

Huh.

I don't necessarily see that...I'm not saying that I think the Rags will win. It's more that I think that one's going to be closer than maybe Chicago/Rags would've been.
- AllInForFlyers

Rangers speed is underrated. But Kings have so much depth it's crazy. And Doughty (as long as he wasn't injured last night, which I worry a bit about) is just crazy good. I wish he were a Flyer.

They have some guys who can score, but they do go in prolonged slumps where they don't generate a lot of chances. And we have seen their PP be ice cold.

They need Nash to be Nash in this series. He's got to have a huge series.
- PLindbergh31

funny thing is i see gaborik lighting them up....that kinda poop only happens to the flyers.

They have some guys who can score, but they do go in prolonged slumps where they don't generate a lot of chances. And we have seen their PP be ice cold.

They need Nash to be Nash in this series. He's got to have a huge series.
- PLindbergh31

That's the thing -- I just think if Nash goes off, that series gets a lot scarier for LA in a damn hurry.

The Rags have to get him going. They have to find a way.

Quick, for all the love he gets, is also prone to the "Holy crap, when did the Kings sign Michael Leighton?!?!?" Softie
- Jsaquella

Once in a while he leaves you scratching your head. He didn't play particularly well in the series vs. the Hawks. But I think we agree they have much more firepower that the Rangers. I'm not saying LA is going to win these games 6-1, but I think the Rangers are in over their heads.

They have some guys who can score, but they do go in prolonged slumps where they don't generate a lot of chances. And we have seen their PP be ice cold.

They need Nash to be Nash in this series. He's got to have a huge series.

I just think they are stepping into a different weight class here. They haven't seen anything in the first 3 rounds that remotely resembles this Kings team. That said, that's why they play the games.
- PLindbergh31

I think the Kings will beat the Rangers soundly and I don't think this series goes past 5 games.

Earlier in the game, Giroux assisted on goals by Scott Hartnell and Ville Leino. The latter tied the game in the third period just 20 seconds after Patrick Kane had put the Blackhawks ahead by 3-2 count.
- bmeltzer

I will never forget this. Sitting in the top row, I threw my head back, looking up at the ceiling, and just closed my eyes when Kane scored. The air had been taken out of the entire arena. The Leino goal on the rebound has the entire place do a complete 180 and there was a feeling the Flyers had the game at that moment.

Quick, for all the love he gets, is also prone to the "Holy crap, when did the Kings sign Michael Leighton?!?!?" Softie
- Jsaquella

I personally think it was a mistake that they didn't keep Bernier and trade him instead when they had the chance.

Rangers speed is underrated. But Kings have so much depth it's crazy. And Doughty (as long as he wasn't injured last night, which I worry a bit about) is just crazy good. I wish he were a Flyer.
- bodiva88

Agreed; I think they're faster, I think their defense and goalie are much better, and TBH, I like the Rags' third line a lot and I think their fourth line is one of the best in the business.

I actually would pick the Rags, straight-up, if I could convince myself that Nash was going to do some big-time things in the series

I don't know, Old Man...I'll tell you what: If Nash starts popping goals...

It's a big "if," I admit. But if he does, that thing looks a lot different.
- AllInForFlyers

We shall see, young padawan

Plus, they have the better goalie.
- bradleyc4

Yes, for all Hammarby's disdain, Henrik when he's on is amazing.

The series in the WCF was amazing for how many goals were scored. It was a shooting gallery and game 1 was the only one where either goalie was exceptional.

Is it evil of me feeling great joy at hearing the United Center go silent and the only sound being the happy Kings yips and yells? It just made me feel their fans felt a tiny bit of my despair.

funny thing is i see gaborik lighting them up....that kinda poop only happens to the flyers.
- PhillaBully

I want to see Gaborik have a huge series. I think Kopitar is going to breakout. I think he has 2 goals in his last 14 games. He's due.

Basically all 12 forwards LA dresses is capable of scoring a big goal. They don't have any dead wood. And their D chips in plenty of offense as well.

Once in a while he leaves you scratching your head. He didn't play particularly well in the series vs. the Hawks. But I think we agree they have much more firepower that the Rangers. I'm not saying LA is going to win these games 6-1, but I think the Rangers are in over their heads.
- PLindbergh31

I don't think he's played particularly well for most of the playoffs...he's had stretches where he's been great, but he's had issues with leaky goals. I still think LA wins, but it's going to be 6 close games

Yeah, Kings have the edge down the middle... but Rangers are deeper/steadier on the back-end. Their goalie is better, too.
- Tomahawk

I don't think that the Rags D is that much better, Doughty really adds an offensive dimension that the Rangers are lacking. And while I think Lundqvist is a bit better than Quick, it's not by that much.

I personally think it was a mistake that they didn't keep Bernier and trade him instead when they had the chance.
- Tomahawk

That's a valid argument, especially when you factor in the contract of Quick.

I think the Kings will beat the Rangers soundly and I don't think this series goes past 5 games.
- johndewar

I don't think he's played particularly well for most of the playoffs...he's had stretches where he's been great, but he's had issues with leaky goals. I still think LA wins, but it's going to be 3 close games
- Jsaquella

ftfy. LA in 3.

ftfy. LA in 3.
- jmatchett383

I personally think it was a mistake that they didn't keep Bernier and trade him instead when they had the chance.
- Tomahawk

I have to admit, Quick does make me wonder sometimes, but at the same time, I can't take away from the fact that in the last three years, he's got a Cup, a WCF appearance and is playing for another Cup.

Granted, he hasn't been nearly as dominant as he was two years ago, but at the same time, he is winning the games

We shall see, young padawan
- BiggE

I don't think that the Rags D is that much better, Doughty really adds an offensive dimension that the Rangers are lacking. And while I think Lundqvist is a bit better than Quick, it's not by that much.
- BiggE

Voynov, Martinez and Muzzin are still pretty green... I could see youthful mistakes break a game or two open in a series where goals will be hard to come by.

I also don't understand how a team can get away with using Willie Mitchell for 20mins/per in the PO's... guy is terrible.

Yes, for all Hammarby's disdain, Henrik when he's on is amazing.

The series in the WCF was amazing for how many goals were scored. It was a shooting gallery and game 1 was the only one where either goalie was exceptional.

Is it evil of me feeling great joy at hearing the United Center go silent and the only sound being the happy Kings yips and yells? It just made me feel their fans felt a tiny bit of my despair.
- bodiva88

It's evil, but I'm with you.

Yes, for all Hammarby's disdain, Henrik when he's on is amazing.

The series in the WCF was amazing for how many goals were scored. It was a shooting gallery and game 1 was the only one where either goalie was exceptional.

Is it evil of me feeling great joy at hearing the United Center go silent and the only sound being the happy Kings yips and yells? It just made me feel their fans felt a tiny bit of my despair.
- bodiva88

Yes it's evil, but you're far from alone.