Postgame
The Kings have overcome a two-goal lead once again - and in this game alone, they were down a deuce no less than three times. They emerge victorious, you would say improbably, but with their track record such an adjective holds no water. This is just how the Kings do it. Now it's all aboard a trans-continental flight to New York, just two wins away from a second Stanley Cup title in three seasons.
For the Rangers, well, it doesn't get any rougher. They could've, should've, but did not, twice now, and their failed bid to leave town with at least a win means their flight back home will feel a lot longer than their opponents.
We'll be back for more Stanley Cup drama on Monday, but for now, thanks for reading.
GOAL! Rangers 4-5 Kings, Final
Anze Kopitar feeds Willie Mitchell at point - he fires - Dustin Brown is in front of net - he deflects the puck past Lundqvist, and the game is over!!!
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— Steve Busfield (@Busfield) June 8, 2014NBC talking about when #stanleycupfinal games 3-7 will be played. They need to finish game 2 first! http://t.co/27khCwa0aD @LengelDavid
#Multitasking?
Rangers 4-4 Kings, 10:11, second overtime
The puck is loose in front of Lundqvist - a rebound after a wrap around attempt by King, but the Swede has it and covers up!
Rangers 4-4 Kings, 12:48, second overtime
Girardi's shot gets all the way through but it's wide.
Williams on the other end, he backhands, it's deflected and the puck is in the air, Pearson has it, he's trying to wrap around, but The King makes the stop for new York!
How much left do these teams have. Alain and Darryl will need to warm up soon.
Rangers 4-4 Kings, 14:43, second overtime
Faceoff #100 of this game is won by the Rangers before King is offsides for LA.
Rangers 4-4 Kings, 15:34, second overtime
Doughty is a menace on the ice, he carries for what seems like forever but in the end there's nothing to show for it.
Man, that guy is dangerous.
Stralman with a shot - and a great save by Quick - that was a real chance for NY!
Rangers 4-4 Kings, 18:34, second overtime
Greene shoots hard, and Brian Boyle is there to stop the puck.
Here comes Gaborik, NY give him a ton of space, too much - he flicks the puck low, looks like Lundqvist got his waffle pad on it.
The Kings are much more active early on here.
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— NHL (@NHL) June 8, 2014INFOGRAPHIC: One OT isn’t enough, better make it two. #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/AipZFSBSVU
The overtime was mostly Rangers, as they had the best chances to win and outshot the Kings 8-6.
One quick stat - the Kings have given away the puck 30 times to the 12 New York have turned over. A turnover ended Game 1, how will Game 2 close out?
OK. I've used the restroom, popped in some laundry, drank some almond milk and peeled some string cheese. Are you ready for a second overtime or what? I am.
Rangers 4-4 Kings, end of first overtime
Gaborik turns over the puck - Nash has it, he drives to the net, and one hands it into the pads of Quick - Kreider is looking for the rebound but can't find it and Quick covers up.
Then as time expires, Brassard, down the near side - flicks it to the far side of the net, off the shoulder of Quick!
Those are the final chances of the first OT and they were good ones.
But not good enough - we've got even more Stanley Cup hockey coming your way - a second overtime period is upon us, in what can only be described as an instant classic.
Rangers 4-4 Kings, 0:43, first overtime
Carter's shot is deflected into the seats. A second OT beckons.
— Jason Acker (@jason_acker) June 8, 2014Holy sh*t this game is bananas #LGR
Rangers 4-4 Kings, 1:30, first overtime
LA have their chances as well - Gaborik shoots and hits the glass! End to end, dogs and cats, sleeping together, complete chaos.
Rangers 4-4 Kings, 2:19, first overtime
Kreider is away after taking a pass from St Louis, alone with the puck, skating, firingl, wide! Then he tumbles into the boards and is shaken up!
Rangers 4-4 Kings, 3:47, first overtime
New York are anything but crisp on this power play, unable to sustain pressure.
The other way now - shorthanded - Richards, far side, looking for King, he has him and he fires wide! An enormous chance for LA!!
Rangers 4-4 Kings, 5:33, first overtime
Lundvist is upended by Carter behind the net and he is down! Carter, who went in with his elbow, will go away for two minutes for that, but The King is a bit shaken up there, much to the chagrin of Rangers fans.
He stays in - power play NY.
Rangers 4-4 Kings, 6:35, first overtime
Both teams kill the power play - New York don't register a shot during their man advantage.
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Rangers 4-4 Kings, 6:59, first overtime
Rangers now on the power play as the four-on-four expires.
The Kings clear twice - under 30 seconds to go in the New York man advantage.
Rangers 4-4 Kings, 8:36, first overtime
The Rangers clear the zone and a minute has gone by on the Kings power play.
But there's a penalty - contact is made between Williams and Nash, who goes down and that's being called interference! A bit of dramatic work by Nash to draw that whistle - it means 4-4 hockey for 37 seconds.
Rangers 4-4 Kings, 9:28, first overtime
Teeth clenching stuff - another redirect, this time Carter gets a stick on Doughty's entry pass!
Rangers 4-4 Kings, 9:46, first overtime
Gaborik redirects a shot from Muzzin - stick save Lundvist who covers up!
Rangers 4-4 Kings, 9:59, first overtime
The shots are even but this has been a Rangers period - but it's the Kings that will have a power play after Dominic Moore's stick is high and into the face of Jeff Carter.
An enormous moment here in Game two....
Rangers 4-4 Kings, 11:11, first overtime
Off a Kings turnover - Kreider hit the stick side post! Oh my goodness!!
Rangers 4-4 Kings, 12:53, first overtime
Hagelin crosses but nobody's home for NY to challenge Quick...
Other end, Toffoli fires, Pearson with a misdirection, but Lundqvist makes the stop!
It's end to end at Staples Center!
It's over 64 years since the Rangers have scored an overtime goal, so says NBC TV in the US.
Rangers 4-4 Kings, 14:53, first overtime
Boyle a shot from near the goal line, save by Quick. Rangers controlling for a long period - now the puck is loosein front of the net! But Voynov shoves it down the ice to take an icing. LA call time out, and no wonder - it's been all NY here early.
Rangers 4-4 Kings, 17:55, first overtime
Hagelin fires wide from the near side. St Louis a shot now, deflected off of Kopitar! New York with a little push early on here.
Rangers 4-4 Kings, 19:13, first overtime
Kreider passes to Stepan below the left circle - glove save Quick, and Nash knocks off the net from its moorings stopping play.
That shot comes courtesy of another huge block from Girardi, who is in pain once more heading back to the bench. His work provided NY with the opportunity on the other end.
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Stats
For a live box score, click here - this game is about as even as it can get. Regardless, it's gut check time for New York. What does Alain Vigneault tell his Rangers during the intermission?
— Raghad A.K (@RaghadAK19) June 8, 2014If #Kings win this game...going to get more haters #damnit. This team has proven again and again, they're a great team, deserve to be here.
Rangers 4-4 Kings, end of 3rd period
Toffoli fires just as time expires, but Lundvist turns that shot aside, and the teams head to the lockers for a short break before overtime begins.
Los Angeles score two goals in the third period, including that first controversial non-call in front of the net with Dwight King interfering with Lundqvist.
That goal changed the game, no question.
— Alan Hahn (@alanhahn) June 8, 2014Rangers D are once again overwhelmed by the aggressive Kings forecheck. Making outlets under pressure.
Rangers 4-4 Kings, 2:00, 3rd period
This isn't football, but that's a warning for you. Are we heading to a second consecutive overtime Stanley Cup Finals game?
Rangers 4-4 Kings, 4:05, 3rd period
Clifford fires after a Rangers turnover - it's high, over the crossbar. Rangers fans exhale, the Kings are still coming.
Rangers 4-4 Kings, 5:38, 3rd period
Here come the Kings - Pearson is streaking down the near side - he winds up and fires - The King has a small piece of the rubber with his glove.
Now Muzzin has a shot from the point, Lundqvist has it - no rebound! Huge assault there from LA!
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Rangers 4-4 Kings, 6:29, 3rd period
Now Jeff Carter on the other end, a little backhander on the near side on the goal line that gets Lundqvist down - he throws his glove over the puck as play is halted once more.
These are the moments commonly referred to as the "nitty gritty."
Will New York head home with a win or down a deuce....
Rangers 4-4 Kings, 6:51, 3rd period
Boyle skates down the near side and backhands a shot, easy save for Quick, into the chest - no rebound.
The Rangers control the puck for a good stretch but LA's defence does well to limit any opportunities.
Rangers 4-4 Kings, 8:27, 3rd period
The pace is frenetic! Carter leaves it for Toffoli - he fires, and it's deflected into the crowd halting play.
Do live bloggers get a timeout too?
Rangers 4-4 Kings, 10:09, 3rd period
Lundqvist is pretty upset. He knows he got screwed on that first, second period goal. I wonder if it had a carry over effect...
Hagelin finds Richards in front of the net, Quick is down and stretches to make the save! Incredible effort by Quick!
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GOAL! Rangers 4-4 Kings, 12:24, 3rd period
Muzzin dumps in, Brown has it at the boards, passes over the goal line - McDonagh has the puck but he can't clear it - now Gaborik fires, and it's in! The Kings tie it up! LA are unreal!
How will the Rangers respond? It's got to be in their heads now.
Rangers 4-3 Kings, 13:06, 3rd period
Doughty plays catch with Muzzin, Doughty, spins, shoots from 15 feet out and the Swede kicks it aside.
The Rangers are tired and New York burn their timeout to try and catch their breath.
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Rangers 4-3 Kings, 13:42, 3rd period
Nash backhands towards Quick who turns it aside. Kreider a shot now from the left circle and that's a pad save!
— Keith Olbermann (@KeithOlbermann) June 8, 2014So. We have referees who are unfamiliar with that silly "Goaltender Interference" technicality. #StanleyCup
GOAL! Rangers 4-3 Kings, 18:02, 3rd period
Williams carries behind the net, skates above the goal line - he finds Greene, who has it at the point, he fires, and it goes stick side past Lundqvist and into the net!
But King was in the crease and The King could not move to get the puck - the refs ignore the obvious interference and the goal stands!
Controversy at Staples! But the Kings are right back in it, early.
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Puck drops...
Can LA overcome three, two goal deficits in a single game?
It's a reasonable question, don't you think?
Some key numbers below...
— WFan's Fan Site (@WFanFanSite) June 8, 2014Rangers lead Kings 4-2 after 2 periods. Rangers are 10-0 when leading after 2 periods. Kings 2-7 when trailing after 2 this postseason.
Stats
New York outshot LA 12-11 in the second period, while the Rangers stuck with LA physically - the hit total is 31-29 in favor of the Kings.
It's going to be uphill for LA here - New York should be thinking:
"No stupid penalties, no stupid penalties..." and repeat.
Here's Martin St Louis' goal which helped the Rangers regain a two-goal advantage during the second period.
— Richie (@richiemetsoh) June 8, 2014@LengelDavid any UK ex pats who have stumbled upon this blog stay with hockey. If you like football, you'll love it. I'm totally converted
Rangers 4-2 Kings, end of 2nd period
That will do it for these two teams - they head to the lobby for some M&M's and mimosas. The Rangers in control for the moment.
Rangers 4-2 Kings, 1:16, 2nd period
Trevor Lewis, a little shot that Lundvist handles with his glove easily and he holds on.
The Rangers speed hasn't been thwarted in the second period and the Kings are out of their game right now.
Rangers 4-2 Kings, 2:57, 2nd period
Voynov with another huge drive from the point, it's high and wide of Lundqvist!
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GOAL! Rangers 4-2 Kings, 5:10, 2nd period
WHOA! Seconds later the Rangers are back up by a deuce!
Zuccarrello, who took that foolish penalty, is behind the net, and finds Brassard, who fires past Quick! Bang bang!
A wild series of events out in LA!
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GOAL! Rangers 3-2 Kings, 5:21, 2nd period
The Kings come back! Willie Mitchell fires from the point and beats Lundqvist, just as the play is expiring. They're right back in it, just like that!
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Rangers 3-1 Kings, 5:29, 2nd period
Muzzin at the point, fakes, shoots, and his shot blocked by John Moore!
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Rangers 3-1 Kings, 7:03, 2nd period
Now LA have a chance on the power play - they'll have a man advantage after Zuccarello trips Dustin Brown. Not a smart penalty - that opens the door for LA.
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GOAL! Rangers 3-1 Kings, 8:09, 2nd period
Derek Stepan skates down the middle of the ice, finds Martin St Louis to his right, who goes top shelf, glove side, and into the net!
It's a power play goal, just as Vigneault ordered, and the Rangers change the script - it isn't 2-2, it's 3-1, and that is a huge goal for New York!
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We got a power play now and it's our turn to get some momentum.
-Rangers coach Alain Vigneault
Rangers 2-1 Kings, 9:16, 2nd period
Penalty coming up - the Kings have too many men on the ice. So now New York have their second power play of the night as LA's coach Sutter grimaces, in that Sutter sort of way.
Rangers 2-1 Kings, 10:26, 2nd period
Gaborik found Carter on a cross-ice pass but Lundqvist makes the save! Penalty over!
Rangers 2-1 Kings, 11:20, 2nd period
Muzzin fires from the point and it gets through but is stopped by the pads of Lundvist! The King was totally blocked by Jeff Carter and it's just luck that the game isn't tied right now.
Then Lundvist blocks Williams from close range!
Oh man - then Voynov with a blast and Girardi blocks it at his peril. He covers up the puck, in obvious pain. Tremendous stop.
Now Lundvist saves again, this time with the glove, again battling a screen. The guy is standing on his head right now! I think it was Voynov with the shot again.
A lot of chances for LA on the man advantage - 30 seconds left.
Rangers 2-1 Kings, 12:50, 2nd period
Lewis stick handles towards the net but is thwarted by McDonagh, who is all over the place this game.
Now a penalty on the Rangers - Benoit Pouliot goes for interference. Big moments for both teams here.
Rangers 2-1 Kings, 13:30, 2nd period
Dorsett tries to stuff it in on the near side but Quick handles it.
Then there is a shot by Jonathan Moore, who is back after a two-game suspension from a a late hit in the Montreal series. It's is turned away, a pad save - the puck then carries back off the boards and Quick hops on it to stop play.
Rangers 2-1 Kings, 14:06, 2nd period
The Rangers have a few shots on the power play but nothing to heart-stopping for LA's fans.
Penalty over. Here come the Kings, Kopitar finds Martinez, his shot is deflected wide.
McDonagh on the other end now, he shoots for NY, and Quick has it as play stops.
Rangers 2-1 Kings, 17:34, 2nd period
So the goal gets Rangers fans saying "here we go again", but now they're on a power play after Greene trips Dorsett.
GOAL! Rangers 2-1 Kings, 18:14, 2nd period
Justin Williams grabs a rebound off the shot of King, and gets it to Stroll who is behind him, he shoots and Lundqvist, who is out in front of the crease, gets a stick on it but the puck slides through and into the net!
Rangers 2-0 Kings, 18:46, 2nd period
Stralman with a little wrist shot just outside the far circle - easy for Quick. The Kings needed a line change and now they'll get one.
— BODYSHOTS (@3POINTGROTTO) June 8, 2014After I heard Puig got hurt I had a feeling the Dodgers, CA Chrome and Kings would all lose today! #Just1OfThoseDays
— Doug Ellin (@mrdougellin) June 8, 2014Kings got Em right where they want Em
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Stats
The Rangers outshot LA 10-9, and hung in there on the hit count, with LA up 18-16, while LA gave away the puck nine times to the Rangers six - the key turnover coming from Justin Williams that led to a Rangers goal. New York and LA were both fruitless on the power play, both teams are 0-1.
Bob Tolley chimes in:
Early leads...NYR making a habit of it. Now can you hold onto the lead?
— Richie (@richiemetsoh) June 8, 2014@LengelDavid good to see people in the west village keeping the faith. #LGR pic.twitter.com/yMJLYPLnGh
Rangers fans must be happy with the way their team responded to a tough loss.
Regardless of how good LA are at coming back from two goal leads, it is physically draining to always have to climb back into games, and at some point, the Kings just got to be gassed.
Rangers 2-0 Kings, end 1st period
Tyler Toffoli has an opportunity for LA - he has lots of ice, gets Lundqvist to lower his body and fires high and over the crossbar!
The buzzer sounds at Staples with the home team down at the first intermission, but it was a period played at a blistering speed, much like in Game 1.
GOAL! Rangers 2-0 Kings, 1:14, 1st period
The Rangers have two shots blocked! Then Brassard is behind the net, carrying, then passing - he finds McDonagh fires from the point, rebound, Zuccarello is there to put it in! The Rangers double their lead and are up 2-0 in the first period for the second consecutive game!
Rangers 1-0 Kings, 2:26, 1st period
Penalty over. So NY and LA are 0-1 on the power play tonight, and both efforts were less than spectacular. Meanwhile, Lundqvist just does his thing, blocking shots, left, and right, and now high! A sweeping glove save of a slapshot from Alec Martinez!
Wow!
Rangers 1-0 Kings, 3:41, 1st period
Kopitar has the puck moving towards net, will he pass, will he shoot? The Slovenian does neither and Girardi pokes away the puck. Under a minute in LA's man advantage.
Rangers 1-0 Kings, 4:54, 1st period
McDonagh just decides he wants to clock Dustin Brown in front of LA's bench and takes a super dumb penalty. Kings on the power play.
— Jon Rosen (@lakingsinsider) June 7, 2014Williams turnover picked off by #NYR; McDonagh one-timer makes it 1-0. Rangers now outscoring opponents 24-11 in first periods.
Williams, the hero in OT costs LA in the first period. Kings fans must feel pretty good based on LA's ability to come from behind, an there's an awful lot of hockey to go.
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Rangers 1-0 Kings, 6:29, 1st period
Dominic Moore has the assist on the goal.
Now the LA fans respond with "Go Kings Go" in defiance of their deficit.
St Louis had open ice but the Kings Martinez gets a skate in to block his shot. So far the shot total is NYR 9-7 LAK
GOAL! Rangers 1-0 Kings, 9:12, 1st period
Ryan McDonagh fires from the point and it gets through and past Jonathan Quick! A piercing slapshot from the Rangers defenseman is helped along by a screen and New York are up!
Kings coach says Darryl Sutter says the Kings want to be physical but they have to pick their spots because of the Rangers speed, meaning they don't want to get in odd man situations. That was a translation - I didn't understand a word out of Sutter.
Rangers 0-0 Kings, 9:49, 1st period
Girardi is back on the bench after a hand issue.
The power play for the Rangers is all Kings, and then a chance by Toffoli forces a kick save by Lundqvist!
Who was on the power play there, LA or NY! New York can't have more of that.
Rangers 0-0 Kings, 12:02, 1st period
Stepan shoots wide of Quick.
Pearson has the puck all alone - he fires, save Lundqvist and then Pearson gets destroyed, pommelled into the boards by Anton Stralman!
Meanwhile Girardi leaves the Rangers bench, banged up.
Now Staal a shot, and that's saved by Quick, and then the teams get together for some jawing. There's a penalty on the sequence, it's against the Kings, Gaborik goes to the box.
Power play New York!
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Rangers 0-0 Kings, 14:19, 1st period
Voynov unleashes the shot, and that's saved - the rebound goes to Lewis and he can't get much on it, but that was a chance for LA.
So it this - Marian Gaborik, and a shot that Lundquist snatches it with his glove - another big chance for LA, who have a flurry of chances here.
Rangers 0-0 Kings, 16:44, 1st period
It's super quiet at Staples right now, that's because little is happening. However Ryan McDonagh puts a hit on Jeff Carter by the boards and he's hurting. Carter the leading scorer for the Kings in these playoffs so that bears watching.
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Rangers 0-0 Kings, 17:36, 1st period
Carl Hagelin with a little backhander on the near side, Quick slaps his glove down and covers up.
Otherwise it's bitty, an offsides here an icing there. Lots of little whistles as these teams try to get a flow going.
Rangers 0-0 Kings, 18:44, 1st period
Derek Stepan finds Rick Nash streaking down the center, he fires and a pad save Quick!
It's time for the National Anthem, and today it's Pia Toscano. I have to say, her performance was slightly low impact, but the crowd was happy enough to see her.
I'll give it a 6.5/10
And a reminder to tweet us with thoughts at @lengeldavidor via email at david.lengel@theguardian.com
The Kings and Rangers are on the ice, skating around in circles, mostly in darkness with occasional flashes of light with bursts of loud noises from the public address announcer. Surely that's a safety hazard, but regardless, it's a signal that Game 2 beckons.
Some Kings fans believe that beating the Rangers will be a piece of cake...
— RednBlackHky (@RednBlackHky) June 7, 2014"@ToddRadom: As seen in my local A&P, an edible NY Rangers jersey. pic.twitter.com/wCK9a5UqXf" How fitting the price is stuck at $19.94. Lol
— Rob Powers (@RobPowers7) June 7, 2014The @BelmontStakes on the screen here in Los Angeles at the Staples Center before @NYRangers and @LAKings Stanley Cup pic.twitter.com/WcOJ2SyGDk
I'm not much for horse racing, but you can't say the Belmont Stakes weren't a big deal. Actually, I'm kind of annoyed that General A Rod didn't win.
To get ourselves back into a hockey mood, here are the highlights to Game 1.
But here comes California Chrome on the outside, and then Tonalist...TONALIST is your winner of the 146th Belmont Stakes, as the crowd in Queens in a hushed disbelief. There will be no Triple Crown winner in 2014, as the dry run continues.
Now, where were we. Oh yes, ice hockey!
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Cali Chrome is getting waxed right now, he's slipped to fifth. General A Rod is in front...down the stretch they come!
Commissioner is now on top - but here comes General A Rod, as predicted here! California Chrome is in fourth!
Belmont Stakes
And they're off!
California Chrome is to the rail and has an early lead!
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A few things to consider. One is just how physical LA play and how New york just have to adjust to such a style. They were outhit 45-33 in the first game, but did a decent job at providing a few bruising moments of their own. Anton Stralman in particular seemed to answer LA well, and they will need to answer LA in this department to compete. Also, the Kings were able to force key turnovers, none more important than Girardi's misstep that led to the winning goal from Justin Williams - the Rangers simply must be more careful with the puck to win.
We interrupt this Stanley Cup Finals live blog for, yes, you guessed it, horses running around in an oval. Frank Sinatra Jr. just provided us with his rendition of New York, New York for the Belmont Stakes crowd out in Queens, which really was a terrible idea.
For whatever it's worth, I got General A Rod to win. I mean, who else could spoil a Triple Crown bid, right?
It hasn't been all x's and o's since the Rangers defeat. Apparently, the Rangers were ordered to the beach for some rest and relaxation to gear up for what really is kinda sorta a must-win. To see Henrik Lundqvist on a bicycle, click here.
If it wasn't on already, it's on now...
— NBC New York (@NBCNewYork) June 7, 2014Is Will Ferrell taunting New Yorkers with this billboard in the middle of Manhattan? http://t.co/diyXW6OrkO pic.twitter.com/Vo8WCS39rB
The answer is yes! Ferrell is screaming at NYR fans right around Madison Square Garden. Actually, Los Angeles Kings owner Philip Anschutz and Rangers head Jim Dolan are rivals off the ice as well, competing in the entertainment business.
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Preamble
Their fans know it and the press know it - Wednesday night was the game for the Rangers to win in Los Angeles. Up 2-0 in the first period, New York were skating footloose and fancy free, doing what they liked, making the heavily favored Kings look slow and tired.
Then suddenly, all of that was over.
Los Angeles regained control of the game, and did what they do - comeback from two goal deficits with ease and somewhat startling semi-regularity, taking advantage of some sloppy turnovers while mixing in skillful play and their typical brutality to take over the game. Then in overtime, Justin Williams, who just may be the most clutch ice-hockey player on earth, beat Henrik Lundqvist, who is the only reason the Rangers didn't drop the Stanley Cup Finals opener 6-2.
The good news for Rangers fans who may be feeling a bit stressed is that the players themselves don't really subscribe to fan-like thoughts such as missing out on "golden opportunities." New York's coach, the cool, calm and collected Alain Vigneault would have been busy over the last few days showing his team what they did right, and how they absolutely, positively could have found a way to win Game 1, and even in that third period when the Kings outshot them 20-3. That's what great coaches do, and most importantly, the veteran group on the ice for New York believe wholeheartedly in their coach. Don't expect to find a down in the dumps Rangers skating when the puck drops.
LA on the other hand have to feel they're in command. They weathered the New York speed-assault, and after an exhausting schedule, finally had two days off to catch their breath. Now these Kings have a great chance to cross the country and head to Madison Square Garden with a 2-0 series lead. That's something that their group, a core that includes some of the most battle tested players available, are relishing right now.
We've got Stanley Cup hockey coming right up, but in the mean time, we'd like to hear from you - send predictions, jokes and hockey musings to david.lengel@theguardian.com or tweet @lengeldavid.
Stand by for Game 2!
