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| Lundqvist the star for NY in Game 4.Photo Credit: Scott Levy/Getty Images |
The New York Rangers avoided a sweep in the 2014 Stanley Cup Finals by hanging on for 2-1 victory over the Kings in Game 4. The Rangers set an NHL Record with their eight straight home win when facing elimination. A 5-0 record when facing elimination this postseason. Only allowing a goal in each of those games.
By: Sunil Sunderraj
Los Angeles responded two minutes later as the Rangers power play was expiring. Dan Girardi broke his stick at the point which allowed Dustin Brown to streak down the ice on the breakaway. A series of dazzling moves capped off by a forehand shot past a diving Lundqvist reducing Rangers lead to 2-1. From that point on the Kings continued to win face-offs, cycle the puck and fore-check. Shooting puck from all different angles.
New York had endured a scoreless drought of 123:01 until 7:25 of the first period. As the power play was expiring Benoit Pouliot redirected a John Moore shot from the point top shelf past Jonathan Quick for his fifth goal of the postseason.
Right off the initial face off the Rangers came out aggressively as Rick Nash had an opportunity breaking in on Quick but chose to pass instead to Carl Hagelin. Furthermore playing a much more physical style with several hip checks. New York avoided disaster midway through the first period as an Alec Martinez shot was stopped by Henrik Lundqvist but trickled toward the goal line. Defensemen Anton Stralman was able to sweep the puck away at the last minute as it did not cross the entire red line. As the horn sounded to end the first period New York had a quality scoring chance as Dominic Moore drove to the net but was unable to lift puck past a sprawled out Quick.
Early into the second period Los Angeles had a scoring opportunity on an odd man rush as Justin Williams fed a pass to Marian Gaborik who sped towards the net and fired a puck off the top of the crossbar.
At 6:27 of the period Martin St. Louis notched his eighth goal of the Stanley Cup Playoffs giving the Rangers a 2-0 lead. Derek Stepan broke his stick on the shot in the Kings zone but ended up on net. St. Louis scooped up the rebounded and lifted the puck past Quick. The Kings had a golden opportunity shorthanded but Lundqvist robbed Anze Kopitar with a magnificent toe save.
Los Angeles responded two minutes later as the Rangers power play was expiring. Dan Girardi broke his stick at the point which allowed Dustin Brown to streak down the ice on the breakaway. A series of dazzling moves capped off by a forehand shot past a diving Lundqvist reducing Rangers lead to 2-1. From that point on the Kings continued to win face-offs, cycle the puck and fore-check. Shooting puck from all different angles.
Going into the third period the Kings had to be feeling good scoring 29 goals compared to the Rangers 13 goals. In addition there had to be anxiety on New York’s side blowing 4 two goal leads.
In the third period Los Angeles utterly dominated play. Outshooting New York by a wide margin 15-1,much of that to do with LA’s ability of cycling the puck and keeping play below the goal line. Lundqvist was absolutely brilliant making highlight reel saves. Dustin Brown pivoted around a faceoff win by Los Angeles and Lundqvist was able to corral the puck in the bread basket.
At one point the Kings were winning the faceoff battle 36-23 and shots in goal 35-19. The Rangers were unable to muster any offensive zone presence. Their first shot on goal came almost 13 minutes into the period.
Late in the third period, the Rangers caught another lucky bounce as they were unable to do so in Game 3. An Alec Martinez shot from the point was redirected by Tanner Pearson. The puck slid underneath Lundqvist and remained stationary. A quick thinking Derek Stepan pushed the puck back towards Lundqvist preventing the tying goal from scoring. Brian Boyle missed a wide open net with a long shot from the Rangers end trickling to the left of the Kings goal which would have sealed the win for New York, instead it became an icing on them.
Lundqvist ended up making 26 consecutive saves in a row including a tremendous glove save off a corner shot by Justin Williams.
Los Angeles had their four game winning streak halted. The Kings lead the series 3-1. Game 5 is on Friday night at 8 p.m. at the Staples Center. Los Angeles outshot New York 41-18 and led in face offs 41-24. New York led in hits 32-27. In addition blocked shot 20-15. The Rangers power play continued to struggle mightily as their 0 for last 39 at home and 1 for 17 in the Stanley Cup Finals.
Los Angeles had their four game winning streak halted. The Kings lead the series 3-1. Game 5 is on Friday night at 8 p.m. at the Staples Center. Los Angeles outshot New York 41-18 and led in face offs 41-24. New York led in hits 32-27. In addition blocked shot 20-15. The Rangers power play continued to struggle mightily as their 0 for last 39 at home and 1 for 17 in the Stanley Cup Finals.
