NHL Conference Finals Preview: Rangers vs. Canadiens, Kings vs. Blackhawks
The Stanley Cup playoffs have been everything fans could have dreamed of. Full of diving saves by goaltenders, one timers, and hard-hitting body checks. Fans even witnessed a 0-3 series comeback for just the fourth time in NHL history. With only four teams left in the postseason, only the very best teams remain.
The four teams left are the Chicago Blackhawks, Los Angeles Kings, Montreal Canadiens and New York Rangers.
New York Rangers Vs. Montreal Canadiens
The Eastern Conference gives fans a matchup between the Rangers and Canadiens, both original six teams. The Canadiens were 2-1 against the Rangers in the regular season, including an overtime victory by a score of just 1-0. Montreal didn't come into this postseason with very high expectations but have proved many doubters wrong. Mostly in part thanks to goalie Carey Price.
The Canadiens first swept the Tampa Bay Lightning in four games, despite the fact that the Lightning were the higher seeded team. Still, many fans had their doubts if Montreal would be able to defeat their next opponent, the Boston Bruins. A brutal seven games series occurred between the two (as usual), and the Canadiens came out victorious. The Rangers have followed a pretty similar path. In both of their series, against the Philadelphia Flyers and Pittsburgh Penguins, they would go the distance and win in seven games. Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist has played terrific in the playoffs so far, and it appears as if we have a goalie showdown coming up. The Canadiens will have home-ice advantage in this series.
Game one begins Saturday, May 17, at 1 p.m. EDT
Los Angeles Kings Vs. Chicago Blackhawks
The Blackhawks appear to be unbeatable as they attempt to win back to back Stanley Cup Championships. Patrick Kane continues to lead the offense scoring clutch goals when needed and this team hit hard. The Blackhawks will have home-ice advantage against the Kings in this series, and that home crowd of Chicago is as loud as they come. More good news follows the Blackhawks as they were 3-0 against the Kings in the regular season.
Kings come in as the underdogs, but they're used to it by now. Goaltender Jonathan Quick is going to have to play an outstanding series, and he's fully capable of doing so. Quick led the Kings to a Stanley Cup victory in 2012 and was awarded the Conn Smythe award that postseason as well as the best player.
Both of the Kings series so far in the playoffs have gone seven games. In the first round, they eliminated the San Jose Sharks after trailing three games to nothing in the series. A four game rally gave them momentum into the next round. In the second round, the Kings defeated the Ducks in seven games. They would humiliate them in game seven by a score of 6-2.
Both series promise to be great and fall right in line with NBA Conference Finals as well. Sports fans will watch the final four in both the NBA and NHL square off over the next few weeks.
Game one begins Sunday, May 18, at 3 p.m. EDT
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