First look: New York Rangers vs. Kings in Stanley Cup Final

Kings Coach Darryl Sutter, always capable of editing his opinions to the bare minimum, was asked about his team’s next opponent, the New York Rangers in the Stanley Cup Final beginning Wednesday night at 5 p.m. at Staples Center.

“Great goaltending. Great defense. Great forwards. Great special teams,” Sutter said. “We’re up against it again.”

The Rangers and Kings split their two regular-season meetings.

On Oct. 7, as his team navigated an assignment of nine road games on the road to open the season to allow for the renovation of Madison Square Garden for events such as this Final, rookie New York Coach Alain Vigneault, formerly of the rival Vancouver Canucks, claimed his first victory as goalie Henrik Lundqvist recorded 28 saves and Brad Richards scored twice against Kings goalie Jonathan Quick in a 3-1 victory at Staples Center. On Nov. 17, the Kings, in front of since-traded goalie Ben Scrivens (37 saves) blanked the Rangers, 1-0, at MSG with Kings rookie forward Tyler Toffoli scoring the lone goal.

Kings offense vs. Rangers defense

The Kings, paced by trade-deadline acquisition Marian Gaborik’s 12 playoff goals, have reinvented their offense in the postseason with an NHL-best 73 goals. The Rangers, with Henrik Lundqvist shining in net, also have received sterling play from defenseman Ryan McDonagh, limiting playoff foes to 2.25 goals per game while contributing 13 points (three goals).

Kings defense vs. Rangers offense

Like the Gaborik deal, New York’s trade to land Martin St. Louis from the Tampa Bay Lightning has provided huge dividends. The star forward is tied with McDonagh with 13 points (six goals) and has provided powerful inspirational playing a day after the heart-attack death of his mother, at age 63, on May 8. The Kings have dealt with offensive juggernauts San Jose, the Ducks and Chicago in the postseason, but Defenseman Drew Doughty and goalie Jonathan Quick helped the team Kings allow the fewest regular-season goals in the NHL.

Goalies

Jonathan Quick hasn’t produced his regular-season numbers in the playoffs, but he’s been there at crucial times, such as overcoming bad bounces in Game 7 Sunday in Chicago to keep the Blackhawks scoreless in the third period and in overtime. Lundqvist is New York’s wall, having won 33 regular-season games with five shutouts, boasting a 2.03 goals-against average in the playoffs.

Special teams

The Kings have given up 14 power-play goals in 78 situations in the postseason while the Rangers have killed all but nine of 64 penalties. On the power-play scoring, the Kings scored at least once in 13 of 21 playoff games were (16 for 65) and New York was 11 for 81.

Home ice

The Kings are 5-4 at home in the playoffs after going 23-14-4 at Staples Center in the regular season. The Rangers were an average 20-17-4 at MSG during the regular season and are 6-4 in the playoffs.