Rangers just aren't scoring enough
Rangers left wing Benoit Pouliot collides with Los Angeles Kings goalie Jonathan Quick in the second period of Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final at Madison Square Garden on Monday, June 9, 2014. Credit: Newsday / Thomas A. Ferrara
As important as goaltending is in the Stanley Cup playoffs, scoring also is a key element. The Rangers have only six goals in the three Final games, two of which went into overtime.
In their 3-0 win in Game 3, the Kings scored at least three goals for the ninth straight game. They have 84 in 24 postseason games (3.5 per game). The Rangers have 60 goals in 23 playoff games (2.6 per game). "You gotta finish in this game," Alain Vigneault said. "It's a results-oriented business.''
The Rangers outshot the Kings 32-15, building an 11-2 edge in the third period. The 15 shots on goal were tied for the fewest the Rangers have given up in a playoff game since 1974.
"Just playing and outshooting a team doesn't mean anything at this point," Ryan McDonagh said. "It seems like every little shot or play they have is finding the back of our net."
"Right now chances aren't good enough," Rick Nash said. "They've got to be going in."
Interference discussion
Goalie interference remained in the news after the controversy surrounding the third Kings goal in Game 2, when Dwight King wasn't whistled for a penalty and his goal wasn't disallowed although he bumped and hindered Henrik Lundqvist in the crease.
Vigneault said he had followed up by contacting the league, but he declined to publicly discuss the conversation.
NHL executive vice president and director of hockey operations Colin Campbell said it is not clear what the competition committee, which met Monday, or the general managers, who will meet Wednesday, will decide on possible expanded video review for goalie interference. But it will be discussed.
Carcillo readies for return
Dan Carcillo, who will be eligible to play in Game 4 Wednesday night when his six-game suspension for abuse of an official ends, skated with the scratches at the end of the morning skate. Carcillo initially was assessed a 10-game ban for elbowing linesman Scott Driscoll against Montreal, but he appealed, and commissioner Gary Bettman reduced the punishment. Driscoll was one of the two linesmen Monday night.
Blue notes
Mats Zuccarello had four shots on goal, was credited with six hits and led all forwards with 21:36 of ice time. "We're a good team in here," he said. "We're going to fight until the end and see how long that takes.'' . . . After some superb looks in Game 2, Chris Kreider had one shot in 18:42 . . . The Rangers are 12-11 in the playoffs and 6-5 at home . . . Game 3 marked Dan Girardi's 87th playoff game for the Rangers. He is second to Walt Tkaczuk (93) in franchise history . . . Defenseman John Moore, who played 19:07 with two hits in the Game 2 overtime loss, expected to feel less rusty in Game 3. He said he was a bit off after serving a two-game suspension for his hit on Montreal's Dale Weise . . . The Kings had played four overtime games in their last five, including three straight wins; the Rangers had played OT in four of six, and lost three of four. No Stanley Cup Final series has had three straight overtimes since 1951. All five games between Toronto and Montreal were decided in OT, with Toronto winning the Cup.
