Photo Credit: Scott Levy/Getty Images
The NHL playoffs have now been reduced to two teams, the New York Rangers and Los Angeles Kings. These two teams could not be more different. The LA Kings won the Cup just two seasons ago, proving they are a dominant force in the Western Conference. The Rangers, on the other hand, have been in the Stanley Cup Finals for the last 20 seasons.
The Kings were on the brink of elimination in the first round against the San Jose Sharks when they were down three games to none. However, they won the next four straight games to advance. Additionally, it took the Kings seven games to beat the Anaheim Ducks to advance to the Western Conference. As if that was tough enough, they had to face last year’s defending champs, the Chicago Blackhawks in a thrilling series that went to overtime in game seven.
Despite playing three exhaustive series, some might say the Kings have an advantage over the Rangers. Right winger Marian Garborik has been vital to the Kings’ postseason run, scoring twelve points. Garborik played on the Rangers just a short time ago and can give teammates the inside scoop on New York’ star goalie Henrik Lundqvist. When asked about playing his former team on such a big stage, he said, “It’s a little weird, obviously, but it’s something special. Especially playing them in the finals — that makes it even more special.”
The Rangers have rallied around a player who was not even on the roster the first day of the season. On March 6th, the Rangers made a very risky move trading captain Ryan Callahan to Tampa Bay for their captain Martin St. Louis. St. Louis wanted out of Tampa Bay and the Rangers wanted a new offensive threat. He struggled with the adjustment to a new team and it all but looked like New York had made a bad trade. However, the team rallied around St. Louis when he played in game five against the Pittsburgh Penguins just days after the passing of his mother. St. Louis scored a goal in that game and ever since that moment, things have turned around for him which has helped catapult this team.
Since that game, the Rangers record is 7-3 with St. Louis scoring seven points. While it seems the Rangers are the team “of destiny” to win, the Rangers have just been playing at a very high level recently. The Rangers also got some good news, forward Daniel Carcillo’s suspension was reduced from ten games to six making him eligible to return during game four of the season. The team has been using 21-year-old J.T. Miller in his place who lacks the experience and leadership Carcillo brings to the ice.
