Bow Down to the Kings: Los Angeles pushes New York Rangers to Brink of Elimination

As the time approaches for Game 4 at Madison Square Garden, there is a clock ready to strike midnight. That is because the miracle playoff run of the New York Rangers could very well end with a loss tonight.

The Los Angeles Kings and New York Rangers had a fast-paced contest during Game 1 and Game 2 in the Staples Center. The series opened with a 3-2 overtime victory for Los Angeles Kings, which was competitive. The Rangers held a 2-0 lead that was erased by the strong effort of the L.A. Kings.  Kyle Clifford and Drew Doughty lit the lamp to force the overtime. In the extra time, Justin Williams won the game for his team.

Game 2 was back at the Staples Center. It had a flurry of 4 goals for each team that was resolved in double overtime.  Once again, the Rangers gained the 2-0 lead. In the first period, Ryan McDonaugh and Mats Zuccarello bombarded Jonathan Quick with sneaky shots that surprised the Kings goaltender. As soon as the lead was created, it started to disappear in the second period: Jared Stoll’s pass from Justin Williams put the Kings within one. That scoring gap would widen to two when New York’s Martin St. Louis would score a powerplay goal. Los Angeles came back to make the game 3-2 off a Willie Mitchell shot from the point; however, Derik Brassard would avenge that goal with one of his own 4 seconds later. By the third, it took a questionable non-call to change the momentum of the game: Dwight King scored on what appeared to be a goalie interference penalty. When it was obvious the goal would not be reviewed, the tally put the game within reach for the Kings.  The Rangers now relied on defending their net, a strategy that would lead to Gaborik tying the game at 4. The tense 4-4 game went into double overtime and Dustin Brown helped deflect a Willie Mitchell shot past Henrik Lundqvist for the 5-4 win for Los Angeles.  

Back in New York, the Kings brought a 2-0 series lead to Madison Square Garden. The hometown crowd seemed to be out of it the entire game. So did the New York Rangers as a matter of fact. Los Angeles was able to utilize their speed effectively without much resistance. The 3 goals scored that night came from veteran Kings players Jeff Carter and Mike Richards as well as defenseman Jake Muzzin. Kings Goalie Jonathan Quick was able to stop the Rangers’ attempts to get into the game. Netminder Henrik Lundqvist of New York could only watch as the three goals passed by him. As the clock ticked down to end the game, the Los Angeles Kings boasted a 3-0 shutout victory and a 3-0 series lead.

Tonight, Game 4 awaits New York and Los Angeles. Madison Square Garden will play host to the richest prize in National Hockey League History as the Stanley Cup will be wheeled into the building. The only question that remains is this: Will Lord Stanley re-crown the Los Angeles Kings that night or will the New York Rangers fight back to play another day?