Postgame
Wow! What a thriller in New York! The Rangers, against a wild, period-long ambush, somehow are able to maintain the slimmest of margins all the way to the buzzer. It's a win, and it's enough to force a cross-country schlep to Los Angeles, one the Rangers will be happy to make. For all the bad breaks New York got in the first two games, you could say they deserved to survive this encounter, one which kept this series alive. After the game, Henrik Lundqvist, who really is the only reason New York hug on tonight, making 40 saves, said:
...Whatever happens, we're winning this game, we're not losing two at home....It's not impossible, they've done it, we've came back from 3-1...You need to be so smart playing against this team - they're good. And they almost trick you sometimes, you think you have everything under control and then they make a couple of great plays and create something from basically nothing...a great challenge for us.
That it is, and it will be an even greater challenge to send this series back to New York for a Game 6 - but that's cart horse stuff. We'll be back for Game 5, but for now, thanks for reading and goodnight.
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Kings 1-2 Rangers, Final
There's a mad scramble in front of the net - but Lundvist and the Rangers are able to hold on and they've taken Game 4 of the Stanley Cup!
Kings 1-2 Rangers, 00:24, 3rd period
A hand pass by the Kings who were controlling the puck with the extra skater. Now there is a face off at center ice and that means Quick is back in net.
Kings 1-2 Rangers, 1:02, 3rd period
It was Stepan who swatted the puck off the line, an incredible play!
The net is empty now! Nash takes a shot at it but it's wide and a faceoff in the New York zone coming up.
Kings 1-2 Rangers, 1:11, 3rd period
Martinez shoots - Pearson redirects - where's the puck? No whistle - chaos in front of the net! Finally the ref stops play - but the puck is just inches in front of the goal line! No one had it, but play was stopped!! The Kings are upset of course, but in the end there is no goal!
Kings 1-2 Rangers, 1:54, 3rd period
Kings controlling, making that final push. A puck bounces to the net but Lundqvist turns the puck away.
Now a scramble in front of the Rangers net! Lewis is looking for the puck near Lundqvist but the Swede finds it and holds on!
Kings 1-2 Rangers, 2:59, 3rd period
Hagelin is taken down by Brown at the Kings goal line but there's no way any ref is calling that.
Kings 1-2 Rangers, 3:53, 3rd period
Mitchell winds up and it hits Girardi in his ass, which beats just about any alternative.
Kings 1-2 Rangers, 4:58, 3rd period
Sweat is dripping off the mask of Jonathan Quick but its hard to understand why - he's basically had the period off.
But here's a Kings giveaway in neutral ice - Martin St Louis from the near point, and Quick makes the stab, holding on.
Kings 1-2 Rangers, 5:24, 3rd period
That "Let's Go Rangers!" chant is as loud as it has been all night long. Are the home crowd gaining that lost condifence?
The puck is tipped into the bench stopping play as we approach the five minute mark of the third period in a potential Cup clinching game, and that means goosebumps.
Joe has been all over Girardi for awhile, and he may have good reason.
Kings 1-2 Rangers, 7:37, 3rd period
We are under half way through and the Rangers are doing everything they can this period to keep the Stanley Cup in the box. That effort does not include a shot - they still have none, which is amazing - that's how good the Kings have been. Somehow Los Angeles have not scored.
Kings 1-2 Rangers, 9:47, 3rd period
The Rangers are trying to muster up some offense and give Lundqvist a break. Stralman has a shot, then there's a rebound but Quick has it and play is stopped!
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No kidding - Gaborik is behind the ice and is nailed, but gets a pass off to Toffoli who fires and is saved once again by Lundvist! That's eight shots for LA now!
Kings 1-2 Rangers, 11:14, 3rd period
Doughty fires into the chest of Lundvist but the Rangers have the rebound and clear the zone!
Deep breaths at Madison Square Garden.
A little something from New York - Brad Richards a backhanded shot in front of the net goes wide. But the Kings are relentless, and they come right back - Clifford a shot from the far boards, turned away by Lundvist!
Kings 1-2 Rangers, 13:36, 3rd period
The Rangers are being dominated right now and everyone in the building knows it.
Still, New York hold on, but it's like there are seven Kings out there!
Aother chance - Pearson skating towards the center of the ice - he winds up shy of the blue line, fires, and it's into the chest of Lundqvist who holds on! LA are now outshooting the Rangers 32-18, and it feels like a matter of time before the Kings hit pay-ice.
Kings 1-2 Rangers, 16:02, 3rd period
The crowd muster up a series of "Let-s Go-Rangers!" chants, but you can almost hear the gulps in between renditions. The Kings have an awful lot of the puck during the first five minutes.
Now another chance for LA - off the faceoff - Brown gets the puck behind the pack, he's in front of the net but fires into the chest of Lundqvist!
Danger lurks everywhere for New York.
Kings 1-2 Rangers, 17:18, 3rd period
The Rangers are under siege early - Kopitar has a shot on net - Lundvist loses his stick during the save but recovers. Then Alec Martinez with a shot wide!
Puck drops
We have third period hockey - will the Rangers live to play another day? Will the Stanley Cup be hoisted tonight?
I mean, come on. There is no way LA can pull that trick for a fourth time in five games right?
Here's the goal from Dustin Brown which sliced another Rangers lead in half...third period hockey coming up shortly.
Kings 1-2 Rangers, end of 2nd period
And that will do it for a period in which the Rangers took a fifth two goal lead of the series and nearly relinquished it, again. Don't worry, there's still time.
Kings 1-2 Rangers, 0:26 2nd period
The New York penalty is over.
Carter skating with an incredible burst of speed - he whips to the net, makes a move on Lundvist - the Swede is down, Carter, going wide, shoots low towards the far corner, but a fully extended Lundvist is able to make the save!
Incredible speed from Carter there and a very important stop from King Henrik.
Kings 1-2 Rangers, 2:53, 2nd period
New York are solid on the kill thus far - Williams with a shot from the near circle. Lundqvist bobbles it momentarily but he holds on. Under 20 seconds left in the LA man advantage.
Kings 1-2 Rangers, 4:22, 2nd period
Williams sets up Stroll and he shoots wide of the net. More pressure from LA, a scuffle behind the net and Dominic Williams cross-checks King and he will go to the box.
That is not good timing for New York. Power play LA.
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Kings 1-2 Rangers, 5:16, 2nd period
Off the faceoff, Pearson has the puck in front of the net, he can't much behind his shot and Lundqvist has it, covering up.
Then Jeff Carter shoots, it's deflected towards Toffoli but he's taken down by Boyle - no penalty.
The Kings are a coming...can NY hold on?
Kings 1-2 Rangers, 5:51, 2nd period
Gaborik with a shot at the circle - stick save Lundqvist! Now Kreider with a hit on Clifford. But back come the Kings - Mike Richards at the other end, winding up, firing, and Lundqvist has it - it's a glove save and he holds on!
The Kings are outshooting New York 23-17 but the Rangers are holding on, for now...
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Kings 1-2 Rangers, 7:09, 2nd period
Zucarrello with a wrap around - save Quick! Zuccarello has the rebound and he shoots high over the net! Huge chance from new York there!
Kings 1-2 Rangers, 7:52, 2nd period
Here comes Pearson, flying down the far boards - Staal is on him but he still gets a chance on net that Lundqvist handles, but that's incredible stick work from the Kings forward.
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Kings 1-2 Rangers, 9:56, 2nd period
Here come the Kings again! LA have multiple chances on net! Carter is charging the net but Lundqvist pokes it away! Pearson is in front of the net but can't get a shot off - then Toffoli has a shot blocked!
Chaos but no goal! A serious gut check for the Rangers here.
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GOAL! Kings 1-2 Rangers, 11:13, 2nd period
Here comes Dustin Brown on the breakaway! He's skates to the net, dekes to his left, shoots right and beats Lundqvist! LA have cut the Rangers lead in half, already, and you just have to wonder...
So here we are again - LA are down two goals, which presumably means the Kings have the Rangers right where they want them.
GOAL! Kings 0-2 Rangers, 13:33, 2nd period
St Louis feeds Stepan who is looking for Kreider near the net but his stick breaks - the puck deflects off Kreider, through Quick, to St Louis who is there to put it in!
Kings 0-1 Rangers, 15:02, 2nd period
Scramble in front of the Kings net! Nash is there, Moore is there - the puck is loose but the stick of Quick pokes the puck away and he somehow denies New York a second goal! Incredible play from Quick here this period!
Kings 0-1 Rangers, 15:48, 2nd period
Sloppy power play from New York, no shots 1:30 in - but give LA credit - they've carried the puck plenty down a man.
Moore with a big shot, and a save by the glove of Quick! No rebound!
Then a scrap in front of the net! Pouliot and Brassard go to the box and we'll have 4-4 in eight seconds when the NYR power play expires.
Kings 0-1 Rangers, 17:46, 2nd period
Kreider shoots from the far point - it's off the pad of Quick who kicks it away.
Back come the Kings - Williams from the far boards feeds a trailing Stroll and his shot is saved by Lundvist! End to end here!
Now a penalty - Willie Mitchell is back in the box, this time for hooking Boyle. Power play for New York coming up.
We got A-C-T...
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Kings 0-1 Rangers, 19:04, 2nd period
Justin Williams finds Marian Gaborik is flying down the near side - he fires from mid-circle and hits the crossbar!!! Wow, that was fast out of the gate from LA!
Catching a break
It was that close...
Coming back
Sports fans know that coming back from a 3-0 series deficit is not something that happens very often. In fact, it's happened five times, four in the NHL and once in Major League Baseball. Here's a look courtesy of our favourite wikipedia:
- 1942 Stanley Cup when the Toronto Maple Leafs came back and won four straight over the Detroit Red Wings
- 1975 Stanley Cup quarterfinals when the New York Islanders came back and won four straight over the Pittsburgh Penguins
- 2004 American League Championship Series when the Boston Red Sox came back and won four straight over the New York Yankees
- 2010 Stanley Cup conference semifinals when the Philadelphia Flyers came back and won four straight, winning the fourth game 4-3 after being down by a score of 0-3 to the Boston Bruins
- 2014 Stanley Cup conference quarterfinals when the Los Angeles Kings came back and won four straight over the San Jose Sharks.
The Rangers goal
It's the home team on top - here is a look at how they took the lead.
Kings 0-1 Rangers, end 1st period
Trevor Lewis' shot from point is played away by Lundqvist.
Now time is running down and as the Kings did in Game 3, the Rangers are having a crack at a buzer-beating goal. McDonagh shoots - off the chest of Quick - Dominic Moore is chasing the rebound but the Kings goalie finds the puck and covers up while the Ranger rush knocks the net off the moorings just as time expires!
So the Kings narrowly avoid heading into the intermission down a deuce and New York gain some much needed confidence with a first period lead.
Kings 0-1 Rangers, 1:21, 1st period
Marian Gaborik has 13 goals these playoffs - his shot is deflected up and into the stands. LA coach Darryl Sutter admits they are nowhere near a second title in three seasons without him.
Kings 0-1 Rangers, 2:21, 1st period
Tyler Toffoli taks a shot at Lundqvist following a Rangers turnover but it's easy for Lundqvist who holds on.
Kings 0-1 Rangers, 3:18, 1st period
The Rangers kill the penalty - then there's St Louis with a shot at Quick but his stick breaks.
Williams hits a chopper towards Lundqvist who has it in his glove and holds on.
Kings 0-1 Rangers, 7:41, 1st period
Alec Martinez shoots and the puck is past Lundqvist - the puck is sliding towards the goal line, it's on the goal line - but here comes Stralman who clears the puck! Martinez thought it was in, but replays confirm it wasn't! It could not get any closer, we're talking millimeters here.
It's a hard fought game, they're getting pucks deep and making it difficult to break out but we've spent some quality time in their end and we've got to continue.
Rangers head coach Alain Vigneault speaking to NBC TV
Now Mats Zuccarello, under pressure from Anze Kopitar lifts the puck out of play on purpose - that's not allowed - power play coming up for LA.
Kings 0-1 Rangers, 8:41, 1st period
Now Williams is down, this time its Ryan McDonagh, who has had a great playoffs for the Rangers, who are matching the Kings brutality with some physical play of their own right now - just as Bob Tolley said they needed to do.
Kings 0-1 Rangers, 10:00, 1st period
Anton Stralman hip checks Doughty and if you're a Rangers fan you have got to love this guy - physical, scrappy, and seems to be the one who finds the Kings big shots with his body. New York need more hits like that.
Bob Tolley chimes in:
Apparently the NYR were in a bad way during yesterday's practice. Going through the motions but an incredibly deflated group. Even Vignault was decidely downbeat. They need special teams to step up... Nash needs to make an impact. Also the Blueshirts need to get physical, play with desperation. Problem is L.A. is just too strong a team to contain for three periods (or more) and are getting contributions from practically everybody... from their captain to a fourth line grinder.
Well, it wasn't Nash who got the goal but the Rangers are up, and nothing lifts spirits like a puck in the back of the net.
Moore and Brassard get the assists on the opening strike from New York.
GOAL! Kings 0-1 Rangers, 12:35, 1st period
The power play is over but New York are on the board - Benoit Pouliot re-directs John Moore's shot past Quick! The refs took a little look at the play, wondering if the stick of Pouliot was above the crossbar but the gaol stands.
It's the first time the Rangers have scored since late in Game 2!
Kings 0-0 Rangers, 13:03, 1st period
Richards has a clear path to the net and he semi-fans on it, can't lift the puck - and Quick has it. Richards and Nash are two players for New York taking a lot of heat for not finding the goal. Now there are 30 seconds left in the man advantage.
Kings 0-0 Rangers, 14:37, 1st period
Here is Carl Hagelin who throws one at net - there's a rebound but then Quick pounces on it! Nash was hanging around the net and helped foster the opportunity - their first shot of the night, but really, Nash must score.
Now we have our first penalty - Willie Mitchell high sticks Dorsett and the Rangers have a chance to get on the board here.
Kings 0-0 Rangers, 15:37, 1st period
So far nothing from New York to get the Garden crowd into this game.
Pouliot's shot is over the crossbar and off the glass.
Kings 0-0 Rangers, 17:11, 1st period
Muzzin shoots from the far point - that's wide!
Then Mitchell fires and Dorsett is there to keep it from reaching Lundqvist.
Puck drops
We're off in Game 4!
Quick turnover by LA - Rick Nash has the puck, here's a backhanded centering pass and nobody is home for New York!
Nash has to do more with that opportunity.
It's a test of focus, we've just got to focus in the immediate task at hand, that's having a good start to this game, things we can control, things like our effort.
- Rangers forward Dominic Moore to NBC TV in the US
Meanwhile John Amirante is back to sing the National Anthem, as he does. We're moments away.
Daniel Carcillo
You may remember the Rangers forward who was suspended for 10 games after elbowing a linesman in the Eastern Conference Finals vs Montreal in Game 3. That suspension was eventually reduced to six games, and Carcillo is eligible to return tonight. However, Alain Vigneault elected to stick with Derek Dorsett, which is a good move if you ask me - Dorsett has played well enough to remain in the lineup.
Here's a look at the incident:
Predictions
Well, I had the Rangers 4-1 in Game 3, and that didn't quite work out the way I had envisioned. The good news is there's another shot at it, so here we go:
I predict Jonathan Quick, who destroyed New York on Monday, will make a mistake early, and the Rangers go bonkers, flying back to LA for a Game 5 after a 6-2 victory. Yeah, that's right - 6-2.
It's not to late to get yours in - tweet a prediction to @lengeldavid or email to david.lengel@theguardian.com
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Highlights
There were very few for New York in Game 3, and a bunch for the Kings. ICYMI, here's the footage to prove it. I also recommend reading our own review of the Monday game from our hockey correspondent Colin Horgan.
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Preamble
It's that time. The Cup is in the house.
The Kings lead their series with the New York Rangers 3-0, and that means Los Angeles are a win away from being presented with the holy grail of ice hockey - the Stanley Cup - minted in Sheffield, made famous in North America. It would be the second NHL title in three seasons for the franchise, and that means these Kings would become a special team. One Stanley Cup title is nice, but a second proves you were no flash in the pan, it moves you into a different historical context.
While LA are a fantastic group - capable, defiant, resilient, physical and extremely skillful, one thing they aren't yet are champions. There's a game to play and the tunnel-visioned Kings know full well that the fourth victory of any series is the toughest to claim.
For confirmation of that, just ask the San Jose Sharks, who dropped four straight to these very same Kings earlier in the playoffs. That such an comeback occurred is proof enough that it can be done alright, but the New York Rangers may not be good enough.
These Blueshirts have borne fruit over the past six weeks, ripe and full flavored, and even more enjoyable because it was wholly unexpected. Nothing should be taken away from them, especially after the way they played the first two games of this series. Now the goal for the home team is to get on a plane tonight and head west, preventing the coronation of a team beginning to flirt with the notion of a hockey dynasty. The goal is to defend home ice, to go down with their skates on - that's what their head coach, Alain Vigneault, is seeking to inspire.
Can they do it? Well, that's exactly what we're about to find out in Game 4, which is coming right up.
In the meantime however, let's talk...or at least correspond. This blog is better for your participation, and you should feel free to chime in however you like. After all, this is a big night - the Cup is in the house.
Tweet @lengeldavid or email david.lengel@theguardian.com.
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