Rangers vs Kings Finals Betting?
Kings Look for 2-0 Series Lead – Host Rangers in Game 2 Saturday
The New York Rangers got a good idea of what the San Jose Sharks, the Anaheim Ducks and the Chicago Blackhawks already knew – the Los Angeles Kings are really, really good!
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NY Rangers (57-38-5-3) at Los Angeles (59-35-4-6)
When: 7:00 PM ET, Saturday, June 7, 2014
Where: Staples Center, Los Angeles, California
Broadcast: CBC, NBC, RDS
Kings Lead Series 1-0
In Canada? Try Pinnacle Sportsbook
Rangers vs. Kings Betting Lines
New York Rangers +1½ -225 +134 Ov 5 +106
Los Angeles Kings -1½ +195 -147 Un 5 -117
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The Kings used their trademark physicality, an intense forecheck and some shutdown defense after the first period to grab a 1-0 lead on the Rangers in the Cup Final.
Now it is up to the Rangers to try to figure out a way to slow the train that is the Los Angeles Kings. Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final goes Saturday night at Staples Center with the Rangers looking for a split and the Kings looking for control of the series.
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The New York Rangers did some good things in Game 1 – Henrik Lundqvist was sensational, their trademark speed caused two first period goals and the Blue Shirts were able to hold Anze Kopitar, Marian Gaborik, Dustin Brown Tanner Pearson and Tyler Toffoli off the score sheet – no easy task as we head deeper into the playoffs.
New York lost the game but had their chances to win – something they will have to focus on heading into Game 2.
That’s the good news – now for the bad! New York was totally outplayed after the first period of the opener. They were outshot 43-27 in the game, they were outhit 45-33 and they were totally overwhelmed by the physicality and the constant defensive zone pressure of the Kings. Henrik Lundqvist made 40 saves – 20 in the third period alone – he can’t do it all himself.
The Los Angeles Kings went down 2-0 early in Game 1 but clawed back from that deficit, just like they did three times against Chicago. There is absolutely ZERO panic in this team – they seem to only get better when down a couple of goals.
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It was the third and fourth lines that got it done offensively for the Kings on Wednesday night – an ominous sign for the New York Rangers. Drew Doughty scored an insane goal and is cementing himself as one/if not the best blueliner in the game, Kyle Clifford scored and added an assist Justin Williams kept up his clutch play with a goal and an assist as well.
You have to think that the line of Kopitar, Gaborik and Dustin Brown is going to start cranking and the Carter-Tanner Pearson-Tyler Toffoli line will be heard from in Game 2. With the bottom six forwards outshining LA’s top six, the Kings look mighty scary heading into Game 2. The top scoring team in the playoffs is clicking on all four lines – not good if you are a Rangers fan.
Don’t blame Jonathan Quick for the two goals against on Wednesday – both came on break aways – he had little chance. Other than those two goals Quick played perhaps his best game in the last couple of weeks. It appears as though he is embracing a goaltending showdown with Henrik Lundqvist and rising to the occasion.
Dave’s FREE NHL Betting Prediction
A few trends to consider:
• Under is 50-19-12 in NYR last 81 Sat. games.
• NYR are 7-3 in their last 10 overall.
• NYR are 9-4 in their last 13 Sat. games.
• Under is 11-2-4 in LA last 17 vs. Metropolitan.
• Under is 13-4-4 in LA last 21 Sat. games.
• LA are 21-7 in their last 28 games following a win.
Game 1 was a contest that the New York Rangers absolutely had to have. A Kings win after a slew of cross-country trips has them uber-confident ahead of Game 2. With 72 whole hours off between games, expect a better Kings team to show up Saturday night.
I know they were pretty good in Game 1 but they can clean it up a bit in the defensive zone. The calling card of the Kings is defense – expect them to clamp down Saturday and book a trip to New York with a 2-0 series lead!
Pick: LA Kings -147
