Pre-Game Talk: NY Rangers VS. LA Kings MOD WARNING POST 495

[Raccoon Jesus]

Ah Henrik. The East Coast Hero. I think we hear so much about him because that's the only storyline the Rangers have right now. We are superior in all other areas, what else do they have to be cocky about?

Nothing a couple games of lighting "the King" up and Quick entering superhero mode can't fix.

I'm praying for Quick to return to form. What an up-and-down playoffs for him. The lows of the start of the SJ series, dominance towards the end, an inconsistent Ducks series, and the usual Blackhawks shenanigans. He's also been victim to some of the worst defense and craziest bounces I've ever seen, some self inflicted, yet has made some of the nuttiest highlight reel saves to compensate.

Lundqvist may be more consistent, but Quick's peak is unstoppable in a way Hank has never shown, imo. Would love nothing more than 2012 or 2013 Quick to rise again right about now.

 

[CowMix]

After facing Thornton, Getzlaf and Toews head to head, if Boyle is the opposing center that gives Kopitar problems, I'd have to heavily question where Kopitars head is at.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

After facing Thornton, Getzlaf and Toews head to head, if Boyle is the opposing center that gives Kopitar problems, I'd have to heavily question where Kopitars head is at.

More than likely he's going to be seeing a lot of Stepan. Going to be interesting to see the line matchups tomorrow.

I'm also intrigued by who the handpicked officials are for the Finals.

And here they are:
http://www.nhlofficials.com/es3290/cat244/featured-nhloa-news

Referees
Steve Kozari, Wes McCauley, Dan O'Halloran, Brad Watson

Linesmen
Derek Amell, Scott Driscoll, Shane Heyer, Brad Kovachik

 

[Alisa]

Lundqvist may be more consistent, but Quick's peak is unstoppable in a way Hank has never shown, imo. Would love nothing more than 2012 or 2013 Quick to rise again right about now.

I'm with you on this. I think we can win without seeing lights out Quick, but I want that Quick to show up for his and our future. It's a big stage he's about to be on, against the strongest competitor in the NHL. It would do wonders for his confidence for him to control the games like we've seen from him many times before. Imagine if this team was clicking offensively the way they have been and Quick was at his best. That would be a sight to see.

Our biggest issue currently is consistancy. It'd be nice to Quickie step up and set an example for the rest of the guys. I'm expecting him to be in top form, but coming from me that isn't much of a surprise. It might be a bit much to ask but I want him better than Lundy every single game. I want there to be no doubt who the best goalie in the league is, when all the chips are on the table.

 

[Ron*]

After facing Thornton, Getzlaf and Toews head to head, if Boyle is the opposing center that gives Kopitar problems, I'd have to heavily question where Kopitars head is at.

I have a feeling Kopi is going to have a strong Final. Remember, he did extremely well in rounds 1 and 2, it was only the Toews line that gave him problems. And those problems were consistent; all 7 games.

I expect he is going to run Boyle into the ground. Ice, I mean.

 

[Ron*]

More than likely he's going to be seeing a lot of Stepan. Going to be interesting to see the line matchups tomorrow.

I'm also intrigued by who the handpicked officials are for the Finals.

And here they are:
http://www.nhlofficials.com/es3290/cat244/featured-nhloa-news

Referees
Steve Kozari, Wes McCauley, Dan O'Halloran, Brad Watson

Linesmen
Derek Amell, Scott Driscoll, Shane Heyer, Brad Kovachik

Don't have a problem with any of them. O'Halloran kind of let some **** go in the Hawks' series, but can't really complain too much.

Heyer is a really underrated linesman. Good picks.

 

[SettlementRichie10]

The Rangers don't exactly have a ton of offensive firepower. Nash is a ghost, Richards and St Louis are old men. Kreider is hot and Stepan is a good player.

Quick doesn't have to be a world beater in this series. We're going to dominate possession and face offs. The Rangers biggest chances will come on the power play.

No Ranger fan wants to hear it but this series is even more lopsided on paper than the 2012 series against the Devils. They at least had a prime Parise and Kovalchuk. They keep citing the Penguins and Habs series as examples of the "favorites" being outplayed, but this Kings team is light years ahead of both those squads. Crosby couldn't buy a goal all playoffs and Price got injured to boot.

This is the first series where the opposing team can't just punch back with brilliant offensive firepower. We all lived in fear of our opponents top forwards for the first three rounds and the Rangers just don't have that. Their strength lies in tier goaltending and top four D. If Quick, Doughty, and co. even marginally match theirs, they literally hold no other advantage.

 

[Ron*]

 

[kingsholygrail]

While Richards and St Louis are "old men" then can still score, particularly St Louis who still racks up points against the Kings. While I still feel a lot more confident about this series than the others, the Rangers are not to be underestimated. The Kings do not blow them out and hopefully they won't need to.

 

[Ron*]

While Richards and St Louis are "old men" then can still score, particularly St Louis who still racks up points against the Kings. While I still feel a lot more confident about this series than the others, the Rangers are not to be underestimated. The Kings do not blow them out and hopefully they won't need to.

I agree.

An old has-been almost derailed us when he scored the GWG in the game 5 OT.

 

[ru4reals]

The Rangers don't exactly have a ton of offensive firepower. Nash is a ghost, Richards and St Louis are old men. Kreider is hot and Stepan is a good player.

Quick doesn't have to be a world beater in this series. We're going to dominate possession and face offs. The Rangers biggest chances will come on the power play.

No Ranger fan wants to hear it but this series is even more lopsided on paper than the 2012 series against the Devils. They at least had a prime Parise and Kovalchuk. They keep citing the Penguins and Habs series as examples of the "favorites" being outplayed, but this Kings team is light years ahead of both those squads. Crosby couldn't buy a goal all playoffs and Price got injured to boot.

This is the first series where the opposing team can't just punch back with brilliant offensive firepower. We all lived in fear of our opponents top forwards for the first three rounds and the Rangers just don't have that. Their strength lies in tier goaltending and top four D. If Quick, Doughty, and co. even marginally match theirs, they literally hold no other advantage.

Man am I glad some of you guys/girls know how to make sense of it all! I'm a bit more confident now. How sweet it is if we could pull this out and shut all these Ranger fans up about how God status their team is. They're worst then the Devils fans a few years ago! Please please My Beloved Kings just win baby!

 

[SettlementRichie10]

While Richards and St Louis are "old men" then can still score, particularly St Louis who still racks up points against the Kings. While I still feel a lot more confident about this series than the others, the Rangers are not to be underestimated. The Kings do not blow them out and hopefully they won't need to.

I'm not saying St Louis is not a threat by any means. After Lundqvist, he's actually the one Ranger I feel the most. I just don't see him holding up against a physical, fast team like the Kings. The Rangers haven't played anyone that brings the physicality like the Kings do. It will be interesting to see how they respond.

 

[KingKopitar11*]

Ah Henrik. The East Coast Hero. I think we hear so much about him because that's the only storyline the Rangers have right now. We are superior in all other areas, what else do they have to be cocky about?

Nothing a couple games of lighting "the King" up and Quick entering superhero mode can't fix.

All this time people call Henrik King is stupid. Henrik is the King of Losers with Nash riding shotgun.

Henrik is a choker, I've seen him **** the bed and flake at the last minutes and never bailed them out. I'm not even scared.


When the game depends on him. He chokes.

 

[DocWest]

All this time people call Henrik King is stupid. Henrik is the King of Losers with Nash riding shotgun.

Henrik is a choker, I've seen him **** the bed and flake at the last minutes and never bailed them out. I'm not even scared.


When the game depends on him. He chokes.

You should go on another pre-game rant like you did before the Ducks series. That, "I'm not impressed" post is still the funniest **** I've read on these boards.

 

[tsanuri]

I have a feeling Kopi is going to have a strong Final. Remember, he did extremely well in rounds 1 and 2, it was only the Toews line that gave him problems. And those problems were consistent; all 7 games.

I expect he is going to run Boyle into the ground. Ice, I mean.

But he shut Towes line down. And even if I would have liked to see more from Kopi's line shutting the other one down really was worth just as much.
I agree about him having a strong final which will also result in Gaborik having one as well.

 

[Alisa]

You should go on another pre-game rant like you did before the Ducks series. That, "I'm not impressed" post is still the funniest **** I've read on these boards.

I second this. I also enjoyed "Ask me if I care".

 

[DocWest]

I second this. I also enjoyed "Ask me if I care".

Yes! KK was right though. The Ducks were........unsustainable.

 

[Alisa]

Yes! KK was right though. The Ducks were........unsustainable.

Lol yep. KK is always right. Except for when he wants to pull Quick

 

[Alisa]

Can't sleep. Too excited. Finally got around to reading the main hoard threads and wow- at least we don't have to be the team with the inferiority complex for once. They're rocking that underdog label hard, aren't they?

Feels weird to be the favorites. It would normally make me nervous, but this year's team has shown such an intense ability to push through anything I can't see anything holding us back. We need to come out just as hard as if we were playing the Hawks, and then enjoy the result that should come from the fact that we are no longer playing the Hawks. A lot of our recent deficiencies were the result of Chicago's effectiveness. I'm expecting to see a lot of improvements in the next few games. Quick should be better now that he's got the monkey (Toews and Kane) off his back, Kopi and Gabby should see a lot more open ice and benefit from it. Defense will likely look a lot stronger against the Rangers lines.

I'm genuinely psyched for what should be a great Kings game. In the Final. Can't believe we made it this far. I still go back to after Game 3 round 1 and remember that feeling of just wanting the Kings to extend to see a few more games. They've done a hell of a job. So proud of them for getting us here and giving us this chance. Now it's time to go out there and achieve what we play for each game all year. It all starts with Game 1.

Go Kings Go!!!

 

[Ron*]

Can't sleep. Too excited. Finally got around to reading the main hoard threads and wow- at least we don't have to be the team with the inferiority complex for once. They're rocking that underdog label hard, aren't they?

Feels weird to be the favorites. It would normally make me nervous, but this year's team has shown such an intense ability to push through anything I can't see anything holding us back. We need to come out just as hard as if we were playing the Hawks, and then enjoy the result that should come from the fact that we are no longer playing the Hawks. A lot of our recent deficiencies were the result of Chicago's effectiveness. I'm expecting to see a lot of improvements in the next few games. Quick should be better now that he's got the monkey (Toews and Kane) off his back, Kopi and Gabby should see a lot more open ice and benefit from it. Defense will likely look a lot stronger against the Rangers lines.

I'm genuinely psyched for what should be a great Kings game. In the Final. Can't believe we made it this far. I still go back to after Game 3 round 1 and remember that feeling of just wanting the Kings to extend to see a few more games. They've done a hell of a job. So proud of them for getting us here and giving us this chance. Now it's time to go out there and achieve what we play for each game all year. It all starts with Game 1.

Go Kings Go!!!

Gotta hold serve. I think if we keep our home ice advantage through the weekend, we will be just fine.

 

[moosehead81]

More than likely he's going to be seeing a lot of Stepan. Going to be interesting to see the line matchups tomorrow.

I'm also intrigued by who the handpicked officials are for the Finals.

And here they are:
http://www.nhlofficials.com/es3290/cat244/featured-nhloa-news

Referees
Steve Kozari, Wes McCauley, Dan O'Halloran, Brad Watson

Linesmen
Derek Amell, Scott Driscoll, Shane Heyer, Brad Kovachik

O'Halloran and McCauley- the same two who called that horrible second period against the Kings in game 7 of the Chicago series, which gave the Blackhawks every opportunity to win the game at that point (I actually left the game at the end of the 2nd period I was so pissed off) and then swallowed their whistles for the rest of the game (they were likely told by Toronto to cool it at the end of the 2nd period). Good grief!

 

[Frolov 6'3]

I can lie and say we should not underestimate the Rangers but I just cant help it that I think we should beat these guys. Its not one game, but a best of 7.

If there is ever a possibillity to win another cup, its now.

Im only afraid, Lundqvist will steal a game or two @ Staples anywhere in this series, that's a problem.

 

[cyclones22]

I'm starting to get nervous, but that's common. I think before every series I always go through the worst case scenarios in my mind and it's flooded with negativity . The boys have been good at washing that negativity away, though. I just hope they don't come out sluggish. That would not be good for my nerves!

 

[Ron*]

O'Halloran and McCauley- the same two who called that horrible second period against the Kings in game 7 of the Chicago series, which gave the Blackhawks every opportunity to win the game at that point (I actually left the game at the end of the 2nd period I was so pissed off) and then swallowed their whistles for the rest of the game (they were likely told by Toronto to cool it at the end of the 2nd period). Good grief!

How could you leave a game 7 at the second period intermission with the Kings only down one goal?

 

[theMajor]

this is the one series im not completely dreading. the Rags fans on the main-board are exponentially bigger homers than the ridiculously cocky Hawks fans. i cant wait till our boys shut them up, too. GKG!