Kings host streaking Rangers in Cup Finals rematch
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}(SportsNetwork.com) - A rematch of last season's Stanley Cup Finals is on tap Thursday at the Staples Center, as the defending champion Los Angeles Kings welcome the red-hot New York Rangers to the City of Angels.
Los Angeles earned its second Stanley Cup title in three years last spring, polishing off the championship run with a 4-1 series victory over the Rangers. The Kings lifted the Cup on June 13 after winning a 3-2 double-overtime battle at the Staples Center.
Despite losing in the Cup Finals to the Kings, New York enters Thursday's showdown faring better in 2014-15 than the reigning champs. The Rangers are 22-11-4 thanks in large part to an 11-1-0 record over the last 12 games, while Los Angeles is 19-12-9 after losing three of its last four tilts.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Both clubs are currently holding onto the wild card spots in their respective conferences.
A hallmark of the Kings' recent championship teams has been goaltending and defense, but there was little of either to be found the last time out as L.A. lost 7-6 in overtime to the visiting Nashville Predators. The setback came at the start of a seven-game homestand and dropped the Kings to 14-4-3 as the host this season.
To their credit, the Kings were able to wrestle a point away from the Predators on Saturday despite trailing by scores of 5-1 and 6-2.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}In the end, it was Roman Josi's goal 18 seconds into overtime that awarded the extra point to Nashville.
Dwight King, Marian Gaborik and Jeff Carter netted goals in a span of 1:27 late in the contest to send the game to OT for the Kings.
"We got a point. That's the way hockey works, right? I told our players several times tonight that it was going to take seven goals to win. I was right," said Kings head coach Darryl Sutter. "I don't think anything was lacking. I thought it was an exciting game."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}King scored twice in the loss, while Alec Martinez -- who had the Cup- clinching goal versus the Rangers -- added a goal and two assists. Anze Kopitar had three assists for L.A. and Jake Muzzin chipped in a pair of helpers.
Jonathan Quick was pulled in the first period after allowing three goals on nine shots. Martin Jones stopped 12-of-16 shots the rest of the way to take the loss.
Quick expects to start tonight. The Kings franchise goaltender is 2-1-0 with a 1.96 goals against average in three regular-season games against the Rangers.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Not counting last season's playoff encounter, L.A. is 3-1-1 in the last five meetings with New York.
The Rangers picked up their third straight victory on Wednesday night, as they kicked off a three-game tour of California with an impressive 4-1 win over the NHL-leading Anaheim Ducks.
Henrik Lundqvist made 24 saves to anchor Wednesday's victory in Orange County and the Rangers scored three goals during the third period en route to the win.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Rick Nash, Mats Zuccarello and Dominic Moore each scored in the final stanza and Derick Brassard lit the lamp in a third straight game for the Rangers.
"I think it comes down to execution," said Lundqvist. "I really like the way we are playing."
Cam Talbot will get a turn in net tonight for the Rangers. he has never faced the Ducks.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}New York is 9-6-1 on the road this season and will complete this current swing Saturday in San Jose.