The Los Angeles Kings will have a second chance to win their second Stanley Cup in three seasons when they play host to the New York Rangers today at Staples Center in Game 5 of the final.
The first ended in a 2-1 loss in Game 4 Wednesday at Madison Square Garden, allowing the first two goals for the third time in the best-of-seven series. Dustin Brown scored what proved to be the Kings’ only goal eight minutes, 46 seconds into the second period.
The Kings mounted a furious comeback attempt in the third period, out- shooting the Rangers, 15-1, but were unable to score the tying goal. Their best chance came with 1:12 remaining on rookie Tanner Pearson’s tip-in that went through the legs of Rangers goaltender Henrik Lundqvist, but was prevented from crossing the goal line by a pile of snow.
New York forward Derek Stepan then knocked the puck under Lundqvist with his glove to cause a stoppage in play.
“You’ve got to score three goals to win,” Kings coach Darryl Sutter said. “I know some don’t agree, but it’s true. I’ve been in it long enough.”
Today’s game, which will begin shortly after 5 p.m., marks the sixth time in the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs that the Rangers have faced elimination.
“It comes down to how much you want to battle, how much you want it,” Lundqvist said when asked to explain his team’s 5-0 record in elimination games.
“And then you try not to think too much. You just focus on your job and what you have to do to have success. Sometimes when everything is on the line, that’s actually easier sometimes to focus in on the important thing and not so much on the consequences.”
New York coach Alain Vigneault said he expects his team “to play a real smart game and give ourselves a chance.”
This is the 27th time a team has taken a three games to none lead in the Stanley Cup Final since the best-of-seven format was adopted in 1939. The Rangers are the seventh team to extend the series to Game 5.
The 1942 Toronto Maple Leafs are the only team to complete a comeback from a 3-0 deficit in the final, defeating the Detroit Red Wings.
Game 6, if necessary, would be played Monday at Madison Square Garden. A decisive seventh game would be played Wednesday at Staples Center.
