If you’ve ever heard an NHL coach talk about the keys to upcoming game, there’s about a 95 percent chance you’ve also heard about the importance of getting a lead. So what, exactly, is Alain Vigneault telling his New York Rangers now?
The Rangers never trailed the Los Angeles Kings in either of the first two games of the Stanley Cup Final, yet still trail the series 2-0 after the comeback Kings kept finding ways to rally from deficits and score in overtime.
For all the good it’s done them, Vigneault would, no doubt, still love to see his guys seize an early advantage. The real trick though, as we’ve learned, is finding a way to protect it. With that in mind, here are four other keys to Game 3 at Madison Square Garden.
Don’t get down: The first two games must have been demoralizing for the Rangers, who, despite making some uncharacteristic defensive miscues, deserved to leave California with a split. Hockey players—especially the ones still playing at this time of year—are great at leaving the past where it belongs, but the crushing manner in which those games slipped through New York’s fingers must be tough to take. Regardless, the Rangers are in a must-win situation now and they’ve got to build some positive momentum — and keep the “here we go again” sentiments at bay should L.A. eat into another lead.
Madison Mayhem: The world’s most famous arena hosts its first Stanley Cup Final game in 20 years on Monday. Naturally, there’s going to be some excitement. Madison Square Garden, when it’s rocking, can be as intimidating as any place in the league. Nothing is going to truly rattle the savvy Kings, but they are likely to face some gale-force winds as the Rangers ride the wave early. Los Angeles doesn’t want to press its luck too much on this whole, “Two goals down, no big deal” thing, so withstanding the inevitable push will be key. With Jonathan Quick, it’s usually about the timely saves he makes late in games. On Monday, it could be more about what he stops early on for the Kings.
Bank on Hank: For this to be a long series, at some point, Henrik Lundqvist is going to have to steal a game. Not just play great, but straight up heist one with 60 minutes of unbeatable goaltending. Lundqvist has done his job through the first two contests, but he needs one of those nights where his opponents leave the rink questioning their long-term ability to get pucks past him. Without blatantly interfering with him, of course.
Stay Hungry, LA: By now, the entire hockey world knows it took three seven-game series for the Kings to advance this far. In the Western Conference final, L.A. allowed Chicago off the mat after taking a 3-1 series stranglehold. At some point, the Kings would surely love to stop doing things the hard way and winning Game 3 against New York would be a huge step toward not dragging this thing out. It will be virtually impossible for L.A. to match the Rangers’ desperation level Monday night, but the Kings can’t get complacent. Regardless of how it got there, Los Angeles has its foot on New York’s throat. One dominant performance where they affirm their status as clear series favourites basically assures the Kings the Cup.