Kings vs Rangers, Stanley Cup 2014 Game 4 results: Rangers win 2-1, force Game 5
By Mike Dyce
The New York Rangers came into Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Finals with their backs against the wall. They’re down three games to none to the Los Angeles Kings in the series and are trying frantically to extend the series.
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Completing the come back would be a remarkable achievement for the Rangers, but it isn’t necessarily impossible. Teams coming back from a 0-3 deficit in a seven game series happens more frequently in hockey than any other sport. In fact the Kings were down 0-3 to the San Jose Sharks and completed the come back and now sit up 3-0 in the Stanley Cup Finals.
Just seven minutes into the game, the New York Rangers got a goal and the much needed lead. The early lead was crucial to getting up the energy in the building and creating some momentum for the rest of the game, all of which they’d need to try and keep this series alive.
You can see from the closer angle that Benoit Pouliot was able to get a stick on the puck to redirect it in on goal. It was close to being a high-stick, but the stick was below the crossbar of the goal and the goal counted.
The Rangers took that lead into the second period, and early in that period the Rangers were able to extend their lead. A shot on goal didn’t get past Kings goaltender Jonathan Quick, but the rebound trickled out to the side of the goal. Rangers’ Martin St. Louis was crashing that side of the goal and was able to put it in for the easy goal, extending the lead to 2-0.
It didn’t last for long though, Kings’ right-winger Dustin Brown got a loose puck and took ff down the ice. A defender nearly catches him but he is able to juke fake out the goaltender and pull one back for the Kings.
The Rangers still have a 2-1 lead heading into the third period but that two goal cushion disappearing had to make the fans in Madison Square Garden uneasy heading into the final 20 minutes of the game.
The Rangers were able to hold on during the final minutes of the game despite a frenzied and relentless attack from the Kings. There was a moment where they nearly tied the game to force an overtime, but the Rangers were able to cover up the puck to keep the series alive. The Rangers and Kings meet again on Friday night and hope to keep the series going and force a game six.
