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No disrespect to the New York Rangers, who are quite capable of beating the Blackhawks or Kings in a 7-game series.
But tonights's deciding game of the Western Conference Finals is almost like a Game 7 of the Cup Finals. And let's face it, this has been about as competitive a series as anyone can remember.
Momentum has shifted twice now, first away from the Hawks after Game 1, then away from the Kings after Game 4. All except one of the games were close. We've had double overtime.
We all know the lineups, pretty much. We all know basically what each team is going to try to do.
The pressure is on both teams, but really more so on the Kings, who've lost a 3-1 series lead and now face a road Game 7—and that against the defending Stanley Cup Champions.
But the Kings have won two road Game 7's already in these playoffs. But let's bear in mind, both of those were in their home state of California and one just down the road in Anaheim.
They've had to fly 4+ hours and sleep in strange beds for this one. And there are those two Game 7's already played. The Hawks have played two less games in these playoff. Fatigue could be a factor.
But the biggest issue for the kings is matching up. Sutter hasn't found the right answer to stop the line of Andrew Shaw, Barandon Saad and Aptrick Kane. Anze Kopitar's line has been sent out against Jonethan Toews and Marian Hossa and Drew Doughty draws Toews quite a bit as well.
In the meantime. Kane and Saad are feasting on the Kings' slower defensemen and less experienced forwards—their line has produced 14 points in the last two games. And Kane typically doesn't take his foot off an opponent's neck in game 7's.
That said, the Kings are Champions of a recent vintage as well and they have pushed the Hawks to the brink already.
This will be a terrific game.
Not much more to say,
JJ