The world of instant gratification has the Los Angeles fans calling for their names to be inscribed on the Stanley Cup. Meanwhile the doomsday naysayers in New York are preparing to throw their jerseys into the fire pit.
Whoa, whoa, whoa excitable hockey fans. It’s only Game 1. Sure, every game matters. Sure, the Kings only need three more wins while the Rangers need four.
However, there is a lot of hockey yet to be played. Let’s be honest, Game 1 could have gone either way. It was a fluky turnover from a normally reliable Dan Girardi that cost the Rangers. They had come out in overtime determined to erase a lopsided third period. Their goaltender had stopped everything including the kitchen sink, the dishwasher and several other appliances thrown his way, and momentum had leveled itself out.
Jason Williams showed the world why he might be the most clutch of the clutchiest players ever and capitalized on the turnover. The 19,000 people that had gathered at STAPLES Center went home happy. Though 17,500 weren’t sure what they had witnessed, they were excited that people were yelling positive things.
Game 2 cannot come soon enough. It’s Saturday at 7 p.m. EST by the way. The two clubs will get back after it with New York looking to avenge defeat while Los Angeles will look to control home ice. Here are five players that will be keys to how the series plays out.
5. Rick Nash, New York
Oh Rick, wherefore are thou, Rick? There were signs of life against Montreal in the Eastern Conference Finals, scoring three goals, but what the hell happened to this guy. He had an atrocious 2013-14 season, scoring a career low (for a full season) 26 goals in 65 games. For the sake of the Rangers, we hope that Nash is nicked up considering what they gave up to Columbus to get him. How else could you explain an “elite” 29-year old 6’4 freight train on skates being invisible in Game 1?
4. Jonathan Quick, Los Angeles
After the first game of the Final it looks as though Quick has put his big boy pants back on. He was the biggest wild card heading in to this series, and is thrilled that he doesn’t have to see any more of Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews, Marian Hossa or anyone wearing a Blackhawk sweater. The Rangers have some big names but have had a hard time finding a consistent offensive groove in the playoffs. We’ve only seen a one game sample, but the Kings have to feel good about their goaltender’s effort in Game 1.
3. Martin St. Louis, New York
It hardly seems fair to ask of a soon-to-be 39-year old (June 19, 1975), but when the Rangers are looking for a clutch goal, St. Louis needs to step up. The wave of emotion that has enveloped New York this postseason has been channeled by the veteran winger throughout the playoffs. He was a virtual no-show in Game 1 but will need to be a factor for the Rangers to have a chance.
2. Anze Kopitar, Los Angeles
His emergence as a top five player in the NHL will be complete with a second Stanley Cup in three years. We may be reluctant in the hockey community to concede this, but if Kopitar and Los Angeles can win three more games in June, we can’t help but whisper “dynasty”. The 26-year old spent most of the Western Conference finals shadowing Jonathan Toews, but will be able to focus on generating more offense against a significantly less explosive New York offense.
1.Henrik Lundqvist, New York
Let’s face it, if New York is going to lift the Stanley Cup for the first time in 20 years, it’s going to come down to King Henrik. He’s gotten over the playoff hump and gotten to the Final showdown. He was superb in Game 1 and gave the Rangers exactly what they needed, particularly in the third period shooting gallery where he stopped 20 of 20 shots. Obviously Lundqvist is going to need some help getting the Rangers to the Promised Land, but there is a ton of confidence to be playing with a goaltender that plays like a brick wall.