The New York Rangers are off to a great start under coach John Tortorella, with a 5-1 record (including 3-0 at home) and 24 goals scored, which is second in the league to Calgary (the Flames have played one more game). With Henrik Lundqvist in net, the Rangers are also solid, and have allowed only 12 goals in six games. Here’s what Terry Murray said about facing the Rangers tonight…
MURRAY: “The Rangers are playing very well. They’re really aggressive to the puck, playing John Tortorella-style hockey from Tampa Bay, really pressure up with an aggressive attitude in all situations. Obviously, players are really buying into the program. Their starts have been tremendous, and also their finishes. So we’ve got to come right in and play.
“The emotional part of the game is going to be huge. We’re going to have to really dig in on the physical part of it. It’s going to be a lot of hard and heavy play, and goaltending is going to be a real tough one for us, with Lundqvist. He has played great for them throughout his time here, and we’re going to have to make sure that we’re doing the right stuff.”
since this is the ranger’s 3rd game in 4 days, is Lundqvist the confirmed starter?
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I’m predicting a 3-2 victory for the Kings, with Avery getting punched in the face at least 5 times.
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GO KINGS 4:2 .
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Tough little stretch here against some quality teams…if the Kings win both I think i’ll start to think about letting myself believe they’re for real this year…;)
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I’m just happy to have games that mean something so early in the season. This shows that at least the expectations this year are very different than the last few and as a fan I can see that a plan – 5,10 years or otherwise – is finally paying dividends.
Go Kings!
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My prediction is a brutally good game with a 5-3 Kings win, empty netter at the end to secure it. It’ll be a tough one, and I’m expecting a few moments of us playing on our heels. Ersy is gonna get tested. The word for today is ‘Composure’.
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This is going to be a game that the Kings cannot afford to come out flat-footed. The first 5-7 minutes will tell us how they’re gonna do and I think it’s gonna come down to a goalies duel, something like 3-2 or 2-1. I’m taking the Under here.
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The Rangers seem to be the best team that the Kings have faced this season…and for some reason Murray chose to start Ersberg in this one. It just seems to me that you’d want the #1 goalie playing in this game. Ersberg may play a great game, but I’m just surprised that this is the game chosen to test the backup goalie.
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AdamW said: “…with Avery getting punched in the face at least 5 times.”
Haha this one caught me off guard and I literally laughed out loud. Nice one.
As for the game, I’m going to make a crazy prediction and say Kings 5-1…and it’s going to get dicy! GO KINGS!!!
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LB,
I think you could make a strong argument for starting Ersberg against either the Rangers or the Red Wings. The Rangers are probably the best team in the NHL right now, so it would make sense wanting your best goaltender playing. On the other hand, with the Western Conference being so stacked, those games are always a priority.
I just don’t think there is a wrong choice here. Murray said that he planned this out before the season, so kudos to him for sticking with the plan.
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LB…what is more important? Winning a meaningless game against a 5-1 team very early in the season, or winning a game against a conference opponent, where points will be at a premium in the West.
There really isn’t a decision to be made here, unless Quick plays BOTH games.
Iansez…you and I think alot alike here. Win or lose, they show well tonight and tomorrow night, and they may make a believer out of me. So far, they have played well, VERY well, against some not so good competition. St. Louis is no slouch at this point…but the NYI, Minnesota…yeah…not exactly playoff bound teams.
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I love the Kings and hope they prove me wrong, but with Ersberg starting, and the Rangers having 24 goals so far, i’m gonna have to predict a 4-2 loss for the Kings…don’t hate…just keeping it real…Hope i’m wrong though and you guys are right!
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My wish list:
1) Kings are victorious.
2) Gabby pulls a groin muscle at some point during the 1st.
3) Ivan windex’s the glass with Boyle’s face.
4) The one I think I’m most excited about….Simmonds vs. Avery. Just curious to see what Simmonds’ actually brings to the big boys table. Would that be great having Simmonds destroy Avery.
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i would be happy with a 3 3 road trip…500 on the road…winning record at home…
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Neil, I’ll accept 3-3, would be happy with 4-2, want 5-1.
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Neil…thank you for being the voice of reason.
.500 on the road and winning record at home is a reasonable wish I feel.
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I’m not sure why people are worried about Ersberg starting. This isn’t JLB or Cloutier we’re talking about here. This Er-sponge. Emphasis on the SPONGE.
Per Rich Hammond…
“Ersberg finished the season 1-6-4, with an overtime victory over Dallas on March 5. In FIVE OF THOSE LOSSES, Ersberg allowed TWO OR FEWER GOALS, but the Kings’ anemic offense didn’t provide much support.”
For the first time ever, I’m comfortable, confident even, with either guy in goal. If the Kings can keep up the offense, they’ll win with either guy in goal.
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Four possible outcomes for our Kings:
A) Play well and win
B) Play bad but win
C) Play well but lose
D) Play bad and lose
Only outcome D would make me unhappy.
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3-2, Kings, with a mad mad mad scramble the last 60 seconds.
Ersberg will be solid, but the Kings will play a tight defensive game to help him out.
there will also be at least one goal waived off sometime during the game.
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Brown is going to get his first goal of the season tonight. The kings will win another one goal game and be on their heels in the last minute just like they have been pretty much the entire year. But a win is a win.
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UGHHHH!
what a terrible penalty
i hate ivanas so much. always have always will.
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