Stanley Cup Playoffs Thread: Kings win 2nd Cup in 3 seasons (2 Viewers)

[Aaron Rudnicki]

forget puckluck. it's buckluck, which always trumps speed.

 

[Bucky86]

forget puckluck. it's buckluck, which always trumps speed.

Wise one, you are.

 

[johnnycakes]

So, let's set the record straight. Are all those fans who are not buying Rangers tickets now fair weather fans?

 

[Bill Brasky]

forget puckluck. it's buckluck, which always trumps speed.

 

[fantasycurse42]

I think the HC Dynamo of Moscow would have won the cup had they been in the NHL this year

In all seriousness, a few bad breaks, but this series is over... It was over after game 2 - You don't blow a 2 goal lead in games 1 and 2 on the road and then come back to win 4 out of 6. The goal with under 1 second left in the first period yesterday was the final nail in the coffin. As little chance people gave the Rangers in this series, a few breaks in the other direction and this is a very tight series right now.

Ah the all important puck luck, eh? Way more important than speed.

C'mon, this series really could be a lot different right now... Two loses in OT, two 2 goal leads given up, and a goal with less than one second... Things aren't bouncing in the Rangers favor this series.

Maybe they should switch to a 13 game series.

To say this series couldn't be very different right now is playing ignorant... 10 years from now, nobody will remember anything but the Kings won, however right now in the moment we have all watched a tightly contested series which isn't reflected in the 3-0 standing.

 

[Bill Brasky]

Thought him and Micaletti (spelling ?) were going to go at it.

I'd like to see this

 

[Bucky86]

I think the HC Dynamo of Moscow would have won the cup had they been in the NHL this year

In all seriousness, a few bad breaks, but this series is over... It was over after game 2 - You don't blow a 2 goal lead in games 1 and 2 on the road and then come back to win 4 out of 6. The goal with under 1 second left in the first period yesterday was the final nail in the coffin. As little chance people gave the Rangers in this series, a few breaks in the other direction and this is a very tight series right now.

Ah the all important puck luck, eh? Way more important than speed.

C'mon, this series really could be a lot different right now... Two loses in OT, two 2 goal leads given up, and a goal with less than one second... Things aren't bouncing in the Rangers favor this series.

Maybe they should switch to a 13 game series.

To say this series couldn't be very different right now is playing ignorant... 10 years from now, nobody will remember anything but the Kings won, however right now in the moment we have all watched a tightly contested series which isn't reflected in the 3-0 standing.

The fact is...GOOD teams don't give up 2 goal leads. GOOD teams fight back down 2 goals. We know which of these two teams is better.

ETA: I'm not saying the Rags are a BAD team. Some teams just don't match up well. I.e. Broncos vs the Seahawks.

 

[fantasycurse42]

I think the HC Dynamo of Moscow would have won the cup had they been in the NHL this year

In all seriousness, a few bad breaks, but this series is over... It was over after game 2 - You don't blow a 2 goal lead in games 1 and 2 on the road and then come back to win 4 out of 6. The goal with under 1 second left in the first period yesterday was the final nail in the coffin. As little chance people gave the Rangers in this series, a few breaks in the other direction and this is a very tight series right now.

Ah the all important puck luck, eh? Way more important than speed.

C'mon, this series really could be a lot different right now... Two loses in OT, two 2 goal leads given up, and a goal with less than one second... Things aren't bouncing in the Rangers favor this series.

Maybe they should switch to a 13 game series.

To say this series couldn't be very different right now is playing ignorant... 10 years from now, nobody will remember anything but the Kings won, however right now in the moment we have all watched a tightly contested series which isn't reflected in the 3-0 standing.

The fact is...GOOD teams don't give up 2 goal leads. GOOD teams fight back down 2 goals. We know which of these two teams is better.

We do, the Kings are better (I'll be a Ranger fan that admits it), but this series could look very different right now, you know it, I know it, everyone knows it whether they'll admit it or not.

 

[Aaron Rudnicki]

that no call on goalie interference in game 2 seems like a pretty big turning point in the series. if that doesn't go in, probably looking at a 2-1 series at least with the Rangers having a chance to go back to LA all tied up.

bounces and calls can play a role in the playoffs though. Rags haven't been able to take advantage of theirs as much as LA has. I'm sure experience plays a role to some degree as these Kings are fully battle-tested and a dynasty in the making.

tough to argue luck though when we saw how dominant the Kings looked late in game 1, and then the fact the Rags were just shutout on home ice in a must win game (while getting plenty of PP opportunities). It only seems as close as it has because the Kings have not played all that well at times while the Rangers have played very well. even when that happens, the game looks pretty even. when the Kings turn it on, it's a clear mismatch.

 

[Time Kibitzer]

that no call on goalie interference in game 2 seems like a pretty big turning point in the series. if that doesn't go in, probably looking at a 2-1 series at least with the Rangers having a chance to go back to LA all tied up.

bounces and calls can play a role in the playoffs though. Rags haven't been able to take advantage of theirs as much as LA has. I'm sure experience plays a role to some degree as these Kings are fully battle-tested and a dynasty in the making.

tough to argue luck though when we saw how dominant the Kings looked late in game 1, and then the fact the Rags were just shutout on home ice in a must win game.

 

[Dickie Dunn]

that no call on goalie interference in game 2 seems like a pretty big turning point in the series. if that doesn't go in, probably looking at a 2-1 series at least with the Rangers having a chance to go back to LA all tied up.

bounces and calls can play a role in the playoffs though. Rags haven't been able to take advantage of theirs as much as LA has. I'm sure experience plays a role to some degree as these Kings are fully battle-tested and a dynasty in the making.

tough to argue luck though when we saw how dominant the Kings looked late in game 1, and then the fact the Rags were just shutout on home ice in a must win game. only seems as close as it has because the Kings have not played all that well at times while the Rangers have played very well. even when that happens, the game looks pretty even. when the Kings turn it on, it's a clear mismatch.

No question about that, but don't overlook the fact the Rangers still were up 4-3 after that. Plenty of opportunity to refocus and close it out.

 

[Bill Brasky]

that no call on goalie interference in game 2 seems like a pretty big turning point in the series. if that doesn't go in, probably looking at a 2-1 series at least with the Rangers having a chance to go back to LA all tied up.

bounces and calls can play a role in the playoffs though. Rags haven't been able to take advantage of theirs as much as LA has. I'm sure experience plays a role to some degree as these Kings are fully battle-tested and a dynasty in the making.

tough to argue luck though when we saw how dominant the Kings looked late in game 1, and then the fact the Rags were just shutout on home ice in a must win game. only seems as close as it has because the Kings have not played all that well at times while the Rangers have played very well. even when that happens, the game looks pretty even. when the Kings turn it on, it's a clear mismatch.

yesAnd this has not been as close as Rangers fans want to think when 5 on 5. Kings have controlled play overall.

 

[fantasycurse42]

that no call on goalie interference in game 2 seems like a pretty big turning point in the series. if that doesn't go in, probably looking at a 2-1 series at least with the Rangers having a chance to go back to LA all tied up.

bounces and calls can play a role in the playoffs though. Rags haven't been able to take advantage of theirs as much as LA has. I'm sure experience plays a role to some degree as these Kings are fully battle-tested and a dynasty in the making.

tough to argue luck though when we saw how dominant the Kings looked late in game 1, and then the fact the Rags were just shutout on home ice in a must win game. only seems as close as it has because the Kings have not played all that well at times while the Rangers have played very well. even when that happens, the game looks pretty even. when the Kings turn it on, it's a clear mismatch.

I don't think any Rangers fan could legitimately argue they are the better team, but the bounces def haven't gone their way this series.

Quick is also an animal... We almost always have the advantage at goalie, but he is outclassing Henrik and it isn't really close.

 

[jamny]

I think most Ranger fans knew the Kings were better going in and would need some breaks to go their way to pull off the upset. Unfortunately that hasn't happened yet but I still think there are at least 2 more games to be played.

 

[Aaron Rudnicki]

Quick is also an animal... We almost always have the advantage at goalie, but he is outclassing Henrik and it isn't really close.

not sure I agree with that.

Kings have more firepower on offense right now and a better group of defensemen. That makes Quick's job easier and Lundqvist's job harder. Not really a fair comparison. Henrik has been very good to great at times. Quick was great last night and came up with some big saves in the first two, but he hasn't been a huge factor IMO.

 

[Dickie Dunn]

There wasn't been a sweep since 1998. I don't think anyone here (except maybe Bucky) wants to see this thing end tomorrow night.

 

[zamboni]

that no call on goalie interference in game 2 seems like a pretty big turning point in the series. if that doesn't go in, probably looking at a 2-1 series at least with the Rangers having a chance to go back to LA all tied up.

bounces and calls can play a role in the playoffs though. Rags haven't been able to take advantage of theirs as much as LA has. I'm sure experience plays a role to some degree as these Kings are fully battle-tested and a dynasty in the making.

tough to argue luck though when we saw how dominant the Kings looked late in game 1, and then the fact the Rags were just shutout on home ice in a must win game. only seems as close as it has because the Kings have not played all that well at times while the Rangers have played very well. even when that happens, the game looks pretty even. when the Kings turn it on, it's a clear mismatch.

I don't think any Rangers fan could legitimately argue they are the better team, but the bounces def haven't gone their way this series.

Hard to attribute it to bad bounces - the great teams take the bounces to their advantage. The Rangers have had their share of bounces/opportunities, just haven't cashed in like the Kings have.

 

[Raider Nation]

The Best.

 

[zamboni]

The Best.

Must have been a barrel of laughs in Viking, Alberta hanging with all the Sutter bros.

 

[Raider Nation]

The Best.

Must have been a barrel of laughs in Viking, Alberta hanging with all the Sutter bros.

http://rocketsportdryer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/HansonBrothers.jpg

 

[zamboni]

The Best.

Must have been a barrel of laughs in Viking, Alberta hanging with all the Sutter bros.

http://rocketsportdryer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/HansonBrothers.jpg

I'm meeting these dudes on Saturday.

 

[Raider Nation]

Niiiiiice. Get a pic of you giving one of them a right cross.

 

[Bill Brasky]

 

[Ghost Rider]

I don't think we can assume the Kings don't tie it up and win anyway had GI been called on their 3rd call in Game 2. Even if the game plays out the same way the rest of the 3rd period, at 4-3, instead of 4-4, the Kings pull their goalie late and who's to say they don't tie it up and send it to OT. Things happen how they happen.

 

[Aaron Rudnicki]

anyone bought an NHL jersey lately? pickings for authentic seem very slim. I think I'd prefer a knockoff that looks authentic over one of the cheapy looking but overpriced replica versions that are on sale everywhere.

 

[fantasycurse42]

anyone bought an NHL jersey lately? pickings for authentic seem very slim. I think I'd prefer a knockoff that looks authentic over one of the cheapy looking but overpriced replica versions that are on sale everywhere.

All over NYC right now.

 

[Aaron Rudnicki]

http://nhl.si.com/2014/06/10/new-york-rangers-henrik-lundqvist-stanley-cup-final/

Muir not being too kind to Hank here.

 

[Aaron Rudnicki]

what did NBC have on over the Cup finals last night that led them to put the game on NBCSN?

Game 4 headed there too. Kind of weird as June is usually a dead month for tv anyway.

 

[bagger]

The series certainly feels closer than 3-0 but good teams find ways to win. It's when you don't execute that you start pointing to other factors (like goalie interference) while ignoring the fact you are 1 for 100 in power plays, or whatever pathetic percentage the rangers are.

My shirt. I am pointing to it.

 

[Christo]

And the Rangers would beat any other team in the West. Prove they wouldn't. Stupid argument.

 

[fantasycurse42]

sucks for all those Rags fans who didn't sell their seats tonight.

And for those who were planning on selling their Game 4 tix

Prices are falling fast and hard... I'm supposed to go to game 4, but I'm giving my clients the option to go sit in Legends seats at Yankee stadium against Toronto next week. I hope they chose the Yanks this series was over after game 2

Arby's gives their "clients" Stanley Cup tickets?

You'll be pleased to hear the Roast Beef winning clients elected to do a Yankee game

The Stanley Cup interest in NYC has faded.

 

[pats3in4]

sucks for all those Rags fans who didn't sell their seats tonight.

And for those who were planning on selling their Game 4 tix

Prices are falling fast and hard... I'm supposed to go to game 4, but I'm giving my clients the option to go sit in Legends seats at Yankee stadium against Toronto next week. I hope they chose the Yanks this series was over after game 2

Arby's gives their "clients" Stanley Cup tickets?

You'll be pleased to hear the Roast Beef winning clients elected to do a Yankee game

The Stanley Cup interest in NYC has faded.

Too bad. Not everyday you might attend a trophy presentation.

 

[Premier]

what did NBC have on over the Cup finals last night that led them to put the game on NBCSN?

Game 4 headed there too. Kind of weird as June is usually a dead month for tv anyway.

Trying to build up awareness of the cable network.

 

[Aaron Rudnicki]

In other news, the Alaska Aces won the ECHL's Kelly Cup tonight. Which begs the question ... on which east coast exactly is Anchorage located?

well, the ECHL merged with the WCHL but I'm not sure exactly why they kept the old name. I think the WCHL was about to fold when the ECHL saved them, but don't remember the details. Lots of teams in that league are nowhere near the East Coast though.

what about a team in St John's, Newfoundland fighting for the American Hockey League championship?

 

[Aaron Rudnicki]

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nhl-puck-daddy/conn-smythe-watch--one-win-away--who-is-la-kings--mvp-044001764.html

Puck Daddy has Conn Smythe rankings:

1. J.Williams

2. J.Carter

3. Kopitar

4. Doughty

5. Quick

6. Gaborik

I hope they are off since I'm holding futures on Kopitar, Doughty, and Gaborik.

 

[Ghost Rider]

Pardon my ignorance, but in betting terms, what is a future? Just wondering.

 

[Billy Bats]

Pardon my ignorance, but in betting terms, what is a future? Just wondering.

Betting on who will win next year's Super Bowl is a future bet. Basically any bet that doesn't close that day.

 

[Dickie Dunn]

anyone bought an NHL jersey lately? pickings for authentic seem very slim. I think I'd prefer a knockoff that looks authentic over one of the cheapy looking but overpriced replica versions that are on sale everywhere.

I had a great online place that I found off a Facebook ad. Got quite a few jerseys from them the last couple of years and they were of great quality.

Unfortunately, the last time I went to the site, it looked like they had been shut down by the authorities.

 

[rockaction]

Rockaction really having trouble digging up Mike Keenan quotes today.

Not really worried about speed anymore. Everyone's already said it, and everyone knows the Kings are better. This board to the contrary, nobody has really made fun of speed being a factor to watch for.

Which is all I said, a million times over. It's a factor, not determinative, and it was a concern, but not enough to pick the Rangers. Heck, I even said "all these dudes are fast" and that hockey speed was "overrated." I was just wondering about arch snarkness, which still seems to be the method of delivery. So, no, no Keenan quotes today.

Regardless, tough game for the Rangers last night. Lots of chances, nothing in the net.

I just want to see more games -- would suck to have a sweep.

 

[Ghost Rider]

Pardon my ignorance, but in betting terms, what is a future? Just wondering.

Betting on who will win next year's Super Bowl is a future bet. Basically any bet that doesn't close that day.

Okay, I get it. but what does it mean to be holding futures on players? When do they expire?

 

[Aaron Rudnicki]

I bet on Kopitar, Doughty, and Gaborik to win the Conn Smythe so they will be graded when the award is handed out.

 

[Dickie Dunn]

Pardon my ignorance, but in betting terms, what is a future? Just wondering.

Betting on who will win next year's Super Bowl is a future bet. Basically any bet that doesn't close that day.

Okay, I get it. but what does it mean to be holding futures on players? When do they expire?

Depends on the bet. For instance, you can bet at the beginning of the playoffs on several teams to win the Cup, win the conference, etc. Different teams have different odds of winning. Same with players ... you can bet on several (at varying odds) to win the Conn Smythe.

Obviously they expire when the postseason ends, because it is a specific bet for the 2014 playoffs.

 

[Bill Brasky]

Rockaction really having trouble digging up Mike Keenan quotes today.

Not really worried about speed anymore. Everyone's already said it, and everyone knows the Kings are better. This board to the contrary, nobody has really made fun of speed being a factor to watch for.

Which is all I said, a million times over. It's a factor, not determinative, and it was a concern, but not enough to pick the Rangers. I was just wondering about arch snarkness, which still seems to be the method of delivery. So, no, no Keenan quotes today.

oh, so you agreed all along. interesting.

 

[Bill Brasky]

and that hockey speed was "overrated."

not really. pretty essential in the current NHL.

 

[Aaron Rudnicki]

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nhl-puck-daddy/puck-daddy-power-rankings--conn-smythe--video-reviews-and-san-jose-sharks--future-134556089.html

3. “Tough bounces”

Saw where a lot of people over the last few days were talking about the fact that the Rangers “deserve better” than they've gotten, because they're playing the Kings very tight and have, by some observers' estimation, had the better of play for the majority of the games played to this point.

It's tough to say, exactly, which games these people have been watching.

The fact of the matter is that the Rangers were really only good for the first periods of Games 1 and 2, and maybe half of the second period of Game 2 as well before Game 3, when they ran things from front to back. But once the Kings stopped living in mortal fear that Jonathan Quick was going to give up softies — which is all he did in conceding the first two goals in each of Games 1 and 2 — they dictated everything. You don't have something like 54 percent possession with the score close in three games and happen to also get outplayed for the majority of them, score effects or no. Sure, getting to a pair of overtimes essentially means games become coin flips, but the Kings have carried play.

So enough about the “tough bounces” and the goals that should have been disallowed. Maybe you say the series should be 2-1 right now instead of 3-0, but the fact that it's shaping up to be a sweep shouldn't strike anyone but Rangers fans as being inherently unfair. The Rangers are getting crushed by a team that is significantly better than them.

It is funny, though, that the only game in which they obviously outplayed the Kings front to back was the one in which the Rangers never led and in fact had their brains bashed out in the goal column. The Kings were lucky to win, let alone pick up a 3-0 shutout. That's life.

2. Conn Smythe Performances

With the Stanley Cup Final all but over, many in the media took Tuesday's media availability to try to determine who should win the Conn Smythe as the playoffs' most valuable player. They had a few to choose from.

Justin Williams seems an obvious choice, especially if you want to put significant weight behind his ability to score goals in Games 6 and 7 of any given series. That's not a skill he's going to need in this Cup Final, of course, but he's a point-a-game guy and boy if he hasn't been great.

Then there's Anze Kopitar, who continues to be excellent in all parts of the ice, and has more points in these playoffs than anyone. And Drew Doughty, who might just be the Best Player In The World depending upon who you ask but please don't ask me because I will say that he is not.

You might even be able to make arguments for Jeff Carter and Marian Gaborik, who have been excellent. I'd listen to those for sure. (Just please, don't act like Jonathan Quick has been good in this postseason because he hasn't. He's been a little worse than average and had one really unbelievable Game 3 on Monday. That's not the same thing as being the most valuable player.)

Who knew that having three or four guys who could win it would be an indication of your team being really, really good? Probably better than the Rangers only having one legit candidate, and he's the guy who's given up 11 goals in three games here.

1. The Kings

Wow they're really good. Huh. Who knew? Oh yeah it was the advanced stats they led the league in all season. Right right right.

 

[B-Deep]

i could go for a beef-n-cheddar

 

[jamny]

Don't get swept!

 

[rockaction]

Rockaction really having trouble digging up Mike Keenan quotes today.

Not really worried about speed anymore. Everyone's already said it, and everyone knows the Kings are better. This board to the contrary, nobody has really made fun of speed being a factor to watch for.

Which is all I said, a million times over. It's a factor, not determinative, and it was a concern, but not enough to pick the Rangers. I was just wondering about arch snarkness, which still seems to be the method of delivery. So, no, no Keenan quotes today.

oh, so you agreed all along. interesting.

Link: #7847

Picked the Kings in six b/c I gave the Rangers the benefit of the doubt. The speed quotes are all there to read. It's a public record. If you were that concerned about it, not sure how you missed it.

Regardless, game on tonight!

Here's where the speed thing begins: #8091

Note the word "factor"

Also, #8093 is there, too, if you're that interested. It's pretty clear what I was trying to say.

Also, post #8097 .

 

[Christo]

So the Rangers actually think they have a shot?

 

[Franknbeans]

I'm watching the Swedish feed