Follow @Kirshenblatt on Twitter

The LA Kings squandered a magnificent performance by Marian Gaborik as they lost to the New York Rangers 4-2 in a rematch of the 2014 Stanley Cup Final.

Gaborik, playing in his 1000th game, had a goal and assist and was the most dangerous King on the ice.

Even with the loss, the Kings bounced back pretty well after a complete dud against the New Jersey Devils on Tuesday night. LA outshot the Kings 35-28, including 13-8 in the third period, but the Rangers played very well defensively in their ability to keep the Kings to the outside and not let them get to any rebounds.

“We sure thought there were quite a few rebounds there,” said John Stevens after the game. “They had a lot of pucks trajected towards the net that kind of shrank their coverage and [Lundqvist] plays deep in the net, so I think there are going to be rebounds. I would like to see us come up with a few more rebounds, but they were a committed defensive team tonight and it showed.”

Both the Kings and Rangers had a chance to win this as the score was tied at two with three minutes left in regulation. Rick Nash was able to get around Christian Folin at the end of his shift and blast a puck past Jonathan Quick short tied to essentially cement the win for the Rangers.



Folin beat himself up after the game saying that he needed to make a stronger play. However, Rick Nash has the ability to be an all-world player and the move he made to get around Folin is something only a few NHLers can do.

“I think at the end of a line change, trying to get the puck up and in, I think the intention to do the right thing is there,” said Stevens about his young defenseman. “But [Nash] has become a really good 200-foot-player. He was known earlier in his career as a great offensive player, but he deserves a lot of credit. He plays hard at both ends of the rink and it show there.”

As mentioned, Gaborik played in his 1000th game on Friday and he will be honored by the Kings on December 21st at home against the Colorado Avalanche. That game also just so happens to be Dustin Brown’s scheduled 1000th game, where he will be honored at a later date.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Kings move on to play the New York Islanders at the Barclays Center on Saturday night. The Isles have had a bit of a rough December so far going 2-5-1 heading into Saturday’s game.

This is the second time the Kings will face the Islanders this year. LA beat the Isles 3-2 way back on October 15th, the fifth game of the season.

Last season, the Kings split the season series with the Isles 1-1. Kings won their home game 4-2 while they lost in Brooklyn 4-2.

It will also be Star Wars night in Brooklyn so be prepared for a lot of The Last Jedi references.

Oscar Fantenberg draws back into the lineup after five games and knocks out Kurtis MacDermid.

Alex Iafallo - Anze Kopitar - Dustin Brown
Tanner Pearson - Adrian Kempe - Tyler Toffoli
Marian Gaborik - Torrey Mitchell - Jussi Jokinen
Kyle Clifford - Nick Shore - Trevor Lewis

Jake Muzzin - Drew Doughty
Oscar Fantenberg - Alec Martinez
Derek Forbort - Christian Folin

Darcy Kuemper is expected to start.

Join the Discussion: » 1 Comments » Post New Comment

» Grateful for Doughty

» A look at the 2018 Kings Draft Class

» Kovalchuk chooses the Kings

» Kings trade for a familiar face and Kovalchuk checking out LA

» Nominated Kings and other NHL Awards Picks