Rangers hoping puck luck goes their way, beginning with Game 4
NEW YORK — The Rangers woke up Tuesday morning hoping that the “puck luck” will start going their way.
Through three games of the Stanley Cup Final, the Los Angeles Kings have been able to capitalize on the bounces that have favored them. New York, meanwhile, is still waiting for their share.
Game 3 was a showcase of how this series has been coming up all Kings. Jeff Carter’s goal nicks off Dan Girardi’s skate and over Henrik Lundqvist’s glove. Jake Muzzin’s power play goal deflects off Martin St. Louis in front. Ryan McDonagh plays a two-on-one perfectly, but Mike Richards’ attempted pass to Trevor Lewis goes off the Rangers’ defenseman’s skate and back to Richards, who then pots LA’s third goal.
“It’s the game of hockey,” said Martin St. Louis on Tuesday. “You start throwing pucks at the net, sometimes they bounce in for you, sometimes they don’t. Hopefully, it starts going our way tomorrow night. We’ve got to create our own luck and our own bounces.
"You've got to keep working for your bounces. That's what we're planning on doing. If we keep putting that pressure and get a little puck luck and work for our puck luck, I like our chances.”
The Rangers have been working for their chances. In Games 1 and 2 the puck was getting behind Jonathan Quick. In Game 3, it was pretty evident that no matter what New York did, Quick was stopping everything, no matter if he could see it or not.
“Us talking about getting bounces, you don't talk about getting bounces,” said Brad Richards. “It’d be nice to have them, but you don't just talk and hope they come. You score a goal at the right time that helps and then you've gotta create more, get to the inside more.”
The Rangers know they can pull off a comeback. They’ve already won a series down 3-1 in Round 2. Of course, the situation of St. Louis’ mother’s passing brought the team together at the right time. Now, it’s a different, but similar circumstance, and the message is simple, according to Rangers head coach Alain Vigneault.
“We’re facing the same exact situation we were against Pittsburgh: we lose, we're done,” he said.
“If we don't want to be done, we’ve got to win.”
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Sean Leahy is the associate editor for Puck Daddy on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at puckdaddyblog@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Sean_Leahy
