Since my blog yesterday was more or less a "Holy crap they did it." post, I had to come back and give a little more than that.
I've had a solid 24 hours now to digest what transpired in an amazing Game 5 and what was actually a really tremendous series with the Rangers. Game 5 was hands down, to me, the greatest game I have ever attended and one of the most dramatic finishes to a playoffs we've seen in a long long time. In fact, this was the first time that a Finals had been clinched in overtime on a home team's ice since the 1981 when the New York Islanders defeated the Minnesota North Stars four games to one.
It may not seem like it was a great series when you look at the overall gameline of 4-1, but it was a brutal and nail biting series that will stand up there with one of the best finals we've seen in the last 10 years.
Game 5 in particular was no different than what Game 4 was. Henrik Lundqvist stood on his head. The Rangers got him a two-goals and said, "Alright Hank, take it from here."
And by god he almost did it again.
The Kings, after I called for them after Game 4 to get more traffic in front of him, certainly did a better job of that. The Gaborik game-tying goal was an example of the Kings crashing the crease and trying to get in Lundqvist's kitchen. It paid dividends in the end.
I thought that the Rangers did an excellent job limiting the Kings breakouts. Especially when it came to the outlet forward on the halfwall. The game turned into a neutral zone crunch for a while when the Rangers were trying to hold a lead. They constantly clogged up the center of the ice and applied solid pressure on the outlet man. It really was textbook "Defend the lead" sort of stuff. However, where it mattered most they faltered. The Rangers, like Game 4, allowed WAY too many shots on Lundqvist late in the game. Believe me when I say this wasn't an isolated thing to Games 4 and 5 either. In the series overall the Rangers were outshot in third periods by a margin of 61 to 25, or 2.5 shots allowed to every one they put on net. They were outshot in 4 of the 5 games in the third period. The lone game that bucked the trend was Game 3 in which the Kings, wildly enough, took a lead into the 3rd period.
Now obviously you are going to allow more shots when leading versus trailing, especially when desperation kicks in from the other team. However, the Rangers allowed double digit deficits in third period shot differentials in 3 of the 5 games. That's just insane to me. Call it a failure of coaching perhaps, a failure of execution defensively, or maybe just a success of a powerhouse Kings offense. All in all, the shot differentials, the possession, and the numerous two-goal and one-goal leads the Rangers gave up would leave a bad taste in my mouth if I were a Rangers fan.
To wrap up my thoughts on the Rangers this series, it was clear they were the underdogs. They put up a heroes fight though in many of the games, and when you look at the fact that they lost three games in overtime...this could have been a very different series. There is a great young nucleus in New York also with Zuccarello, Hagelin, Boyle, McDonagh, Kreider, Stralman, Stepan (if they can get him resigned), and then guys like J.T. Miller and Danny Kristo further down the line. I think there might be some growing pains moving forward a bit, and the future of St. Louis, Brad Richards, and even Rick Nash hang in the balance. Especially after the latter two's most recent performances in post-season hockey. I said it in the previous post, be proud Rangers fans. You did very well.
Now the Kings. Kings, Kings, Kings.
It's never easy right? That should be the motto of the Los Angeles Kings, "L.A. Kings: It will NEVER be easy."
I also liked this one I grabbed from a fan during the on-ice festivities.
I said after Game 4 that if the Kings played 3 more games like the one they played in Game 4 they would win it. They needed just one. They played a near flawless game aside from the penalties. Hey, that's been Kings' hockey all year long.
Justin Williams was fantastic yet again, and if not for Henrik Lundqvist he would have easily had 3 or 4 goals on the evening. That would have included the Cup winner if not for a brilliant save by Hank.
Gaborik, who had a crucial goal in Game 7 against Chicago, also had a big one in Game 5 against the Rangers. This furthers my thoughts and feelings, which I am sure many share, of RE-SIGN THIS GUY NOW PLEASE DEAN NOW DO IT. Or something of the like.
With 14 post-season goals, Gaborik was the panacea to a pretty stale powerplay and top unit that lacked a true scoring threat. His inclusion, along with Toffoli and Pearson, pushed the Kings depth to a point that was almost unmatchable by any other team in the league. Heck, it WAS unmatchable, which is why we sit here talking about the Kings winning the cup.
It was poetic in a way that the cup clinching goal was scored by none other than the 4th line and the 3rd pairing. It was the final exclamation point on the idea that depth is key. Kyle Clifford had his best game maybe ever, given the circumstances. Dwight King was also a massive force in the overtime period. There were contributions from every which way. The game tying goal, given that Martinez had the lowest minutes of any Dman, Toffoli had just one shift in the third, and Clifford has been a perennial 4th liner, was a perfect way to finish it.
Want to relive that goal? Sure why not. Isn't it great?
Moving on, for all the hate he got Jonathan Quick was absolutely outstanding in the Finals. He needed to be to match the guy on the other side quite honestly.
Everyone made a lot about his subpar save percentage and his high goals against coming into the series, but I've said it before and I'll say it again: Look at the teams they played.
The No. 1, 2, and 6 offenses during the regular season. Anyone expecting a 2011-12 like run was setting themselves up for disappointment. The key saves were still there in many regards. Think back to some of the big saves in the final games of the San Jose series, the Kreider break away in the 1st OT of Game 5, the Seabrook save in the dying seconds of Game 7 against the Hawks.
The big saves were there.
While against the Sharks, Ducks, and Hawks Quick logged a .914, .916, and .889 save percentage respectively, but he had a sparkling .932 in the finals with a 1.63 GAA.
Ted Ramey of KNBR asked me an interesting question when he interviewed me after Game 4 about whether or not you start thinking about Quick in the case of greatest goalies of all time.
I think it's a bit premature at this point, but with two cups under his belt and a Conn Smythe at age 28 it might be one we are having in the future.
There were countless performers on the Kings squad. Almost too many to name. Jeff Carter, who was huge part to the Kings powerhouse postseason offense. Mike Richards, who quietly had one of the best playoffs of his career. Anze Kopitar, who had the extreme task of matching up against Joe Thornton, Ryan Getzlaf, and Jonathan Toews in the first three rounds. Drew Doughty, who logged so much ice time every night that I was winded sitting on my couch.
Even the lesser knowns were important. Jeff Schultz came in when the team needed him most and played some very solid games. Kyle Clifford played one of the best games of his career in Game 5 against the Rangers. The dynamic duo of Pearson and Toffoli played years above their actual age. What about young Jake Muzzin? Perhaps putting to rest the idea that he isn't a true top pairing defenseman in the NHL.
It was by all accounts an entire team effort.
This all circle back to the culture and mentality that the Kings have brought to the game. Much of this is thanks to Darryl Sutter but also Dean Lombardi.
Sutter's simple, unassuming approach to the game had coaches on their heels all playoffs. I still to this day am surprised at how well Darryl Sutter, with last change or without, was able to make teams play on his terms. He is a stubborn guy, and it showed through in the right ways most times (Pull your goalie earlier!! Ugh!)
Not enough congratulations can be given though to The Architect, Dean Lombardi. The team has been built in a very specific way, with very specific players in mind. The Kings have always tried to build from within, and then add the necessary pieces like a Carter or a Gaborik. It was funny, because when I started thinking about the similarities from the 2011-12 run there were quite a few.
Adversity in the early goings (Coaching change/Injured goalie), a massive deadline deal (Carter/Gaborik), rookie emergence (Nolan/King Toffoli/Pearson)...this team has a set formula even when they don't know it.
Lombardi has built a championship caliber team here, and the scariest thing is that of the 18 players that were on the ice for this cup, all but three of them will be back for sure next year (Gaborik, Greene, Mitchell).
That's some kind of contract structuring in my opinion. You don't want to toss around the word dynasty yet, but if the Kings are back in a position to win it next year I wouldn't be surprised at all.
It has been a fun one for sure. A great run from a stellar team. I don't think I've ever seen a better postseason, and that includes EVERYONE. Not just the Kings. It was dramatic, it was fantastic, and let's hope for something similar next year.
I've done it after each series, but who was your SERIES MVP. Was it Justin Williams again? Maybe it was Alec Martinez after his dramatic winner. Maybe you thought Jake Muzzin came into his own in the finals. Oh but what about Doughty? He logged some MASSIVE minutes in these OT games. Vote here on your series MVP.
Alright, now how about the playoff MVP for the Kings? We all know that the Conn Smythe was awarded to Justin Williams, but it honestly could have gone to several different Kings players. In my eyes about six guys had reasonable cases. So who was it for you? Or did they get it spot on? (You're darn straight I threw Sutter in there)
A big big shout out to Eklund, the man who makes the magic happen around these parts. It has been a great year and I have that man to thank for it. He and his crew do a wonderful job on this site and I am glad to be a part of it.
Finally, to you the readers,
Without you guys I wouldn't love doing this as much as I do. Even you members that wrap the opposing flag around your shoulders and come in chanting at the top of your lungs, you make it worth writing! It has been a great year and don't expect the content to stop folks. I got individual player seasons analysis coming up, the draft is nearly upon us, and you know free agency is always fun. I am glad to have spent the year writing for such a great group of loyal fans. I applaud you guys! Thanks for making this what it is.
last but not least, anyone looking for parade information should head on over to the Kings website where they have all the info you need! Odds on Jonathan Quick making a better speech than last time?
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