Friday, June 13, 2014

King Henrik and the Rangers look to keep the LA KIngs from their Stanley Cup throne


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Whatever it is that the coach says in that Neflix film, it seems to work.

New York Rangers head coach Alain Vigneault made mention of that now viral moment of television commercial fame. Tempting reporters with the prospect of a reproduction, then dashing from the press conference prior to game four, no doubt to deliver his Netflix night at the Improv act in the Ranger dressing room.

The speech it appears worked quite well, New York finally finding a reward for hard work assisted mightily by their goaltender, with Henrik Lundqvist having the kind of night that Rangers fans were waiting for in this final round.

Once again, when elimination was on the horizon, King Henrik rose to the occasion shutting down the Kings, lifting New York to the 2-1 victory and sending everyone packing for Los Angeles and game five tonight.

Wednesday's success was all on King Henrik, as Lundqvist faced 41shots over the course of the three periods, a good many of them in the frantic final twenty minutes of play as the Kings put on the pressure to try and make a sweep of things.

As they have in all four games, Los Angeles has seem to grow more confident with every shift, game four was no exception and if not for the work of Lundqvist, Lord Stanley's mug would no doubt be around a pool somewhere in Hollywood by now.

The brooms however were destined to be put away, the Rangers live on and should they make the most of their Friday night on the west coast, they'll be back in the Gardens for Monday night, with the Stanley Cup then very much a riveting series.

But first things first, the task at hand is to play Game five period, by period, looking to get out to an early lead and then hold off what will be a tireless attack from an LA team that would clearly love to reward their fans with the visual of the Stanley Cup skated around Staples Centre.

For coach Vigneault, there was really only one movie for viewing on the flight across North America...

For the Rangers, there  is really only one theme for Friday night...



Some previews of Game five can be found below:

Rangers seeking 'redemption' in L. A.
Rangers don't alter lines for Game 5
Richards' Rangers truly believe they are Kings' equals
Why Lundqvist will force a Game 6 in New York
Time for NY Rangers to be road warriors against Kings to bring series back home
Brad Richards fine with role on NY Rangers' fourth line
About time for Rick Nash to cash in with a goal for NY Rangers
A little light reading before Game 5
Kings will be at Staples Centre; but where will the Stanley Cup be?
Kings 'get ready to go again' in Game 5 of Stanley Cup Final
Los Angeles Kings believe there's room for improvement despite heavily outplaying New York Rangers in Game 4
Los Angeles Kings plan to make their own breaks in Game 5 against New York Rangers
Conn Smythe Trophy vote will be between New York Rangers' Henrik Lundqvist and up to five Los Angeles Kings players
Kings at finish line of Stanley Cup marathon
What Kings need to do tonight to win Stanley Cup
Rangers have accomplished only survival
Kings wary of Rangers resolve
Kings can hoist Stanley Cup on home ice again

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