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L.A. Kings Vs. New York Rangers

L.A. Kings		New York Rangers
3rd Overall American Conference	106 Points	5th Overall American Conference	98 Points
Tied record of 2-2-0 vs Rangers during season		Tied record of 2-2-0 vs Kings during season

Top Point Getters in Round 1	Top Point Getters in Round 1
Steve Montador - 0 G - 7 A - 7 - +5	Jarome Iginla - 1 G - 7 A - 8 - +4
Tomas Plekanec - 2 G - 3 A - 5 P - +3	Niklas Kronwall - 3 G - 4 A - 7 P - +3
Max Lapierre - 3 G - 1 A - 4 P - +4	Johan Franzen - 3 G - 3 A - 6 P - +4

Series Preview

There’s really not much more to add about the Kings. They know how to win the playoffs and they showed that once more as they dispatched the Blackhawks in 5 games. Amazingly, STEVE MONDATOR was their top point getter in round 1, picking up 7 assists. Even more amazing, their best defenceman and perhaps best player, Shea Weber, had no points. Yet they still dominated. 12 players collected at least 3 points. The Kings depth is impressive and a huge weapon against any team. They mix and match and excel at creating mismatches. Goalie Niklas Backstrom was a horse in net as he posted a great .933 save %. In all, the Kings are a team built to win now, filled with vets, that appears to be peaking at the right time. The Rangers talent level is extremely high, so this will be a really fascinating series to follow between 2 good teams.

3 KEY FACTORS:

As pointed out, offensive contributions from Shea Weber. With Getzlaf and Iginla on the other side, Weber will be a major factor.
Stopping a Rangers team with tons of momentum that came back to win after being down 3-1.
Can the Kings continue to get great contributions from support players?

The Rangers look like a team coming of age. They have always had a ton of talent, but after falling behind 3-1 to the Penguins, it looked like a team that wasn’t quite ready for primetime. But the tide turned and the Rangers dominated games 5-6-7 to win it in 7. Big, talented, fast and deep describes the Rangers. Jarome Iginla did not score much, put was a playmaker with 7 helpers in round 1. Defenceman Nik Kronwall dominated offensively. Franzen and Getzlaf were good. They can roll 4 lines and they will need that against the veteran laden Kings. The defence was solid, allowing 28 shots per game. Much like the forward group, it is big, mobile and tough. They are 6 deep and they can shut a team down. Goalie Evgeni Nabokov had a solid series. In all, this will be a war:

3 KEY FACTORS:

Countering the Kings quirky matchups and strategies. Can Coach Laviolette and GM Schepers will have a huge role to play in this series.
Improving the PP. It is inexcusable for a team with this much talent to be running at 11% on the man advantage. The Kings PK is average, this is an area NY can control.
Continue to limit goals against. They did a great job shutting down the Penguins, a similar defensive clinic will be necessary against the Kings.

Prediction: There is a saying you have to lose a tough one before you can win, this may apply to the Rangers. The future is bright. However, the Kings know what it takes to win in the playoffs and have home ice. Kings in 6.