07-19-2017, 03:05 AM
NEW YORK – The aftertaste of two stinging overtime losses in L.A. remained bitter for Henrik Lundqvist and the Rangers on the long flight back home to New York. "I personally use it as motivation," Lundqvist said on Monday morning, his team trailing the Kings by a dire 2-0 deficit heading into Game 3 at MSG. "You get upset and frustrated and disappointed when you lose. But you just have to respond the right way." The right response would be victory on home ice and some hope for a crowd that hasnt witnessed a Stanley Cup Final game in 20 years. Heavy underdogs coming into their first Final since 1994, the Rangers have, at the very least, demonstrated their ability to crash, bang and skate with the Kings. A bounce or two in their favour in Games 1 and 2 – not to mention a different ruling on a controversial third Kings goal – and this series could look quite different as the series shifts back East, but as it stands, they find themselves at the very edge of a near-inescapable hole. "We have to start winning and thats tonight," said Lundqvist, who has allowed eight goals on 87 shots in the Final. "I hope its going to be an exciting feeling to step out on the ice here; home crowd, great atmosphere; take advantage of that; enjoy the moment but at the same time, really push ourselves here to try to play our best game so far." New York has done its fair share of good in the Final so far despite the gaping series deficit. Packed with plenty of speed and punch, they raced out to 2-0 leads in both Games 1 and 2 only to come undone at the mercy of the resilient Kings en route to a pair of heartbreaking overtime losses – the latter in double overtime. Theyve done enough, however, to believe that this series is far from over. "Chance-wise, were right there with them," said head coach Alain Vigneault, ever optimistic hours before Game 3. "Weve played some good hockey. We got a little bit unfortunate in that last third period, but were right there and we feel real good about our game. "Things always even themselves out with the right effort and the right attitude. You say if you work hard, luck will come with you, well were working hard; were working our butts off here. Im very confident that were going to have that same type of effort here tonight and were going to be real good." History is not on their side. All but five of the 48 teams whove earned a 2-0 series lead in the Final (since 1939) have gone on to capture the Cup. Among those five, interestingly enough, were the Vigneault-led Canucks in 2011, Vancouver falling in seven games to Boston despite the commanding early series lead. The Kings are proof themselves that momentum can change quickly. They rallied furiously from a 3-0 series ditch in the opening round against San Jose, adding two more Game 7 victories along the way. "I think the key is to realize that were close and you dont have to change that much," said Lundqvist. "The difference has been a bounce here or a deflection. Were doing a lot of good things, but it hasnt been enough so we need to raise [our level] a little bit. But its important that you dont try too hard and try too many different things. We need to stick together here and do it together. We had stretches in both games where I think we played really well and created a lot of chances, enough chances to win the game." Tanoh Kpassagnon Chiefs Jersey . -- Scottie Wilbekin sat on the bench for the final minute, holding a bag of ice against his left knee. Kareem Hunt Youth Jersey . -- When the Los Angeles Kings are on top of their formidable defensive game, they revel in the silence they can create in a frustrated road arena. http://www.chiefsstoreauthentic.com/auth...fs-jersey/ . -- Howie Kendrick had a two-run single in his first game batting leadoff this season, Chris Iannetta hit a pair of RBI singles and the Los Angeles Angels beat Cleveland 6-4 Tuesday night, sending the Indians to their fifth straight defeat. Kareem Hunt Jersey . JOHNS, N. Kareem Hunt Womens Jersey . -- With his team down 16 points in the second quarter and headed for another blowout loss at home, Golden State Warriors coach Mark Jackson yelled out to his players to keep shooting and keep fighting on defence.New Zealand were punished for showing a lack of respect to Ireland when they lost in Chicago and could be in for another shock in Saturdays rematch, according to former Lions wing Luke Fitzgerald. Joe Schmidts side delivered one of rugbys biggest shocks of the year by winning 40-29 on November 5 to end the All Blacks 18-game winning run and become the first team since South Africa in 2004 to score 40 points against them.Fitzgerald, who retired from rugby earlier this year after winning 34 caps for Ireland and one for the British and Irish Lions, said Steve Hansens world champions would be a tougher proposition on Saturday as Ireland bid to become the first side to post back-to-back victories against them since South Africa in 2009. Ireland vs New Zealand November 19, 2016, 4:45pm Live on Get Sky Sports Get a Sky Sports pass Do I think we can beat New Zealand again? I absolutely do, said Fitzgerald. Its a really uphill task, theyll be really hurting after that defeat in Chicago.I think they showed a little bit of arrogance there and lack of respect with some of their selections.I think theyll be really, really pumped up for this one. Id say theyll do a little bit more research behind the scenes on us. Id say they were a little bit under-cooked in that department and, from my own perspective, some of the selection mistakes that they made they wont make them again. Liam Neeson narrates Irelands 2023 Rugby World Cup bid promo.dddddddddddd Watch it here... Credit: Irish Rugby New Zealand bounced back from the loss by making 12 changes to score 10 tries in a 68-10 win over Italy last Saturday, while Ireland also played free-flowing rugby to beat Canada 52-21.The All Blacks are hoping influential second row Sam Whitelock is fit to return after injury, allowing them to move Jerome Kaino back to flanker. 6 months half price Upgrade to Sky Sports to watch Man Utd v Arsenal on Saturday and get the first six months half price Ireland ruthlessly exploited that scrum weakness in Chicago and Fitzgerald expects a similar gameplan on Saturday.The things we did well, we can definitely do again, he said. I think the pressure we got on all around the park, the desire we showed... I think in front of a packed Aviva Stadium we can definitely do that again.Irelands standout player in Chicago, scrum-half Conor Murray, has recovered from a muscle injury and is fit to play.Watch Ireland v New Zealand live on Sky Sports 2 HD on Saturday from 4.45pm. Catch the match for £6.99 with a NOW TV pass. No contract. Also See: Ireland launches World Cup bid Payne: Henshaw has star quality Toner: All Blacks are rattled Rugby on Sky Cheap NFL Jerseys Wholesale Jerseys Wholesale NFL Jerseys Jerseys From China Wholesale NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys Cheap Jerseys ' ' '