While at one time Wayne Gretzky called both the New York Rangers and the Los Angeles Kings home, that is about the only similarity these two teams have in common. The Kings are a team that want to win with offense while the Rangers hand their hat on defense.
Both teams have to of the top five goals in the game with Henrik Lundqvist in net for the Rangers and Jonathan Quick in goal for the Kings. Both had their share of struggles to reach this point with the Rangers pulling Lundqvist in game five of their series against the Canadians while Quick allowed 13 goals the final three games of the Blackhawks series.
The Kings do not have seen Marian Gaborik take over this postseason with a league-high 12 playoff goals. He had just 11 goals during the 41 regular season games he played.
The Kings also have Anze Kopitar and Jeff Carter, who are one and two in the NHL in postseason points with 24 and 22 respectively. Add into the equation guys like Drew Doughty and Justin Williams and you get a team that has averaged 3.47 points per game this postseason.
While the Rangers are averaging 2.65 points per game, they are allowing just 2.15 goals per game compared to the Kings' 3 goals per game. Henrik Lundqvist has been consistent other than a bad game five against the Montreal Canadians.
The Rangers are built around not allowing clean shots on goal. Guys like Brad Richards and Ryan McDonagh are not afraid to sacrifice their body to ensure the puck does not come close to the net. The Rangers also have some hidden offense that could come out.
The Rangers have reached this point despite Rick Nash scoring three goals this entire postseason. What's good news for the Rangers is all three goals came in their most recent series against the Canadians.
The leading offensive man for the Rangers had been trade deadline acquisition Martin St. Louis. He has had some help from Chris Hagelin, who has six goals this postseason, just like St. Louis.
The entire NHL postseason has been filled with seven game series and overtime and it will continue in the finals. The Kings offense will guide them to victory in seven games after over half the games are sent to overtime.