Game 3 of the 2014 Stanley Cup Finals between the Los Angeles Kings and New York Rangers is a prime example why the box score only tells half the story. If you were to glance at the team stats, you would see that the Rangers topped the Kings in shots on goal (32 to 15), hits (25-18) and fewer penalty minutes (8-12). However, it was L.A. who came away with the convincing 3-0 victory at Madison Square Garden tonight.
While there should be credit given to the Kings' ability to effectively kill one Rangers' power play after another, it was the transformation of Jonathan Quick from goalie to literal brick wall which is the primary reason why L.A. is one win away from hoisting The Cup for the second time in three years.
Just look at this incredible stick save by Quick on a potential tap-in opportunity for Mats Zuccarello:
Or, what about Quick's literal toe save here:
And even when the Rangers pulled Henrik Lundqvist in the last four-plus minutes, the Kings' defense came through, not allowing the Blueshirts to take a single shot on goal in that time span.
New York will be staring down elimination on Wednesday at the Garden.
