In a win or go home situation, New York avoided elimination in Game 4 Wednesday night, against the Los Angeles Kings. The Rangers were inches from another dreaded overtime. Dereck Stepan saved the game, shoveling a stopped puck off the goal line underneath goalie Henrik Lundqvist’s leg.
The Rangers will look for another solid game from Lundqvist. Henrik was busy all night, stopping 40 shots, including a 15-1 disadvantage in the third period. It was clearly his best game of the series, and Lundqvist knows he’s used up all his losses.
“I know if we win tomorrow, they are definitely going to feel the pressure. We were in that position playing [the Montreal Canadiens in the Eastern Conference Final].” Lundqvist said during his travel Thursday. “The closer you are to your final goal, obviously you tend to think more. That’s just the way you work; it’s hard not to.”
If you gave me a pick of playoff goalies to pick my starting goaltender, it’s going to be Henrik Lundqvist every time. He’s better than Quick, Rask, Price, and Crawford, and has proven he can come from behind in a series.
Henrik Lundqvist is exactly the guy between the pipes you want in this situation.
Can New York keep the pressure up for Game 5?
They only mustered up 1 shot in the final period of Game 4, and were shut out in Game 3. The Rangers however seem to play different hockey on the west coast. New York scored first and had a lead at the end of the opening period in both games in L.A.
Key To Game 5
For the Rangers to extend the series back to New York for Game 6, they have to limit the Kings to 2 goals or less.
Lundqvist’s goals against average is a solid 2.15, he’ll need to keep tonight’s score at 2. If they can do that they’ll win Game 5. They had golden opportunities in both Games 1 & 2, but couldn’t close. They finally closed out Game 4, and did it with their backs against the wall the entire third period.
The Rangers have proven they can score on Jonathan Quick, and if Martin St. Louis, Beniot Pouliot, and Co. can add a couple goals the Rangers should take Game 5.
New York has proven they can play and win against the Kings, they just have to do it three more times or the season is over.
