The New York Rangers have managed to stay alive with a 2-1 victory over the L.A. Kings in Game 4 of the Stanley Cup finals Wednesday night. Los Angeles now leads the best of seven series, 3-1.
Madison Square Garden shook as the crowd chanted Ranger’s goaltender Henrik Lundqvist’s name. Lundqvist played fiercely, making 40 saves and leading the Rangers to a 2-1 victory.
The LA Times reports that Lundqvist “had a little luck.” With nearly one minute left of the game, Kings’ forward Tanner Pearson tipped a shot that slid underneath Lundqvist’s pads toward the goal line, but stopped just short.
Benoit Pouliot scored first for the Rangers, taking his fifth goal of the playoff series. With 13:35 left in the first period, this goal ended a string of 53 shots saved by L.A. goaltender Jonathan Quick. Martin St. Louis made the score 2-0 at 6:27 into the second period.
L.A.’s goal was scored by Dustin Brown. He intercepted a pass attempt by Rangers’ defenseman Dan Girardi, and broke away to make the score 2-1, eight minutes into the second period.
Only four NHL teams have ever overcome a 3-0 hole to win a series. The NY Daily News reports that Martin St. Louis said, “We have a chance to do something special.” New York fans rattled the stadium as they cheered on the Rangers, their optimism and excitement at an all time high.
Game 5 of the series is scheduled for Friday at 5 p.m. at the Staples Center.