re: Official 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs Thread (LA KINGS WIN THE CUP 3-2 F/2OT)

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it actually kind of is.

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Not really. The 2012 finals were a 5 year low. The worst before that (in NBC era) was 2007, which also had a California team.

It's not a bad market by any means. But the Kings aren't the draw that the other pro teams in that city are.

What did I tell you Thunderbolt? You can't count this team out!

I have never really followed hockey until this playoffs, but I'm becoming more and more of a Kings fan with every game (Bandwagon I know. But I do live here!). Two minutes into OT I was freaking out and thought to myself how weird it was that I felt that way.

Forgive my ignorance, but every thing I've heard about Quick is how great he is in the goal. He has given up an arse load of goals this playoffs. What's going on with that?

Go Rangers Go

hes been really up and down throughout these playoffs. weve been lucky that our offense has actually found a way to start putting pucks into the net

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super mega casty

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It ain't personal

Best friend is a Rangers fan so I support 'em.

Couple of interesting points:
- The Kings have 6 of the top 15 scorers in the playoffs. The Rangers have 0.
- The Rangers have a 1.33 even strength Goals for vs. goals against ratio compared to a 1.19 for the kings, however overall the Kings are basically scoring on 1 of every 4 power plays and the Rangers are scoring on 1 of every 7 power plays.
- Both teams have about the same amount of shots per game.
- Quick has faced 85 more shots than Hank, it would appear that the Kings D are giving up more shots, but it will also be the quality of those shots that matter.
- Hank has a .928 save percentage compared to Quick's .906 save percentage


I think this series is a toss-up, statistically. Feels like the Kings have faced a little bit tougher competition in Anaheim, San Jose, and Chicago. That being said Montreal and Pittsburgh are some of the best teams in the league.

I think the key to this series is the Rangers offense. Obviously the Kings are going to forecheck and have a higher octane offense. The highlights and statistics speak for themselves. Obviously the Rangers have a slight edge in Goaltending. There were at least 2 goals that Crawford let in last night that Hank would have stopped. Hank is without a doubt the best goaltender LA will have seen. Obviously LA's aggressive offense will create opportunities for the Rangers. The key I think is with 3 players on the Rangers:
- Carl Hagelin: If someone can get him the puck and he can actually control it and not overskate it, he will be lethal because of his speed.
- Chris Kreider: Another fast offensive threat, slightly slower than Hagelin, but has better control, unless he's skating towards the goalie. Quick isn't going to take any shite through and will get all Ron Hextall / Billy Smith on his arse if he gets out of line.
- Rick Nash: He's been cold in the playoffs. He led the team in scoring in the regular season, averaging 1 goal every 2.5 games. In the playoffs he's been averaging 1 goal every 6.5 games. Statistically speaking, in the regualar season he had a 10% shooting percentage which has gone down to a 4.6% shooting percentage in the playoffs. He's been averaging the same amount of shots per game. If he finds a way to score again the Rangers win it in 5, if not the Kings in 7.

I'm going with the shameless homer pick. Kings in 5. I don't think my heart can take another game 7.
That OT last night just about did me in.

At any rate, Go Kings Go!

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Alain Vigneault is behind the Ranger bench

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