A big Game 6 is looming for the Los Angeles Kings
Once more with feeling for the Kings.
They failed to win the Stanley Cup at home Wednesday. They failed to win it in New Jersey on Saturday. So they wander back into Staples Center today for Game 6 against the New Jersey Devils at 5 p.m.
A third swing-and-miss sends things back to Newark on Wednesday for a winner-take-all Game 7.
“You failed a couple times now,” the Kings’ Anze Kopitar said. “We all know how big this is. It would certainly be nice to finish it off at home and get it done.”
Toddling back to the Jersey swamps would seem to tilt things the Devils’ way. They are trying to become the first team since the 1942 Toronto Maple Leafs to rally from a 3-0 series deficit in the Stanley Cup Final. The Kings have not lost four consecutive games since Feb. 16-22.
The Kings inability to close out the series has been fertile ground for the Devils’ goaltender Martin Brodeur, who said after the Devils’ 2-1 victory on Saturday that, “I think they’re so close to winning the Stanley Cup that I’m sure it’s getting to them a little bit, to be able to have all these chances and not capitalize on them.”
The Kings deny that they are feeling extra pressure to win the Cup at home. But forward Mike Richards admits there is pressure.
“I think the only pressure you have is the pressure that’s in the dressing room, looking at the guy beside you, seeing how hard he’s worked,” Richards said. “It’s something you want to do for him, not for everybody else that’s trying to put the pressure on you.”
The usual preparations will be made today, from police barricades going up outside the arena to the Cup being brought into the arena during the game. What could make that I-dotting and T-crossing unnecessary are the Devils, who have a 4-0 record in elimination games this season.
“It’s the Stanley Cup Final. If it was easy, everybody would have the Cup,” Richards said. “It’s not easy. It’s one of the toughest things you’re going to have to go through. At the same time, if you work for it, it’s going to be rewarding.”
But for which team?
RELATED:
Devils Coach Peter DeBoer discusses Game 6
Kings get another chance to clinch the Stanley Cup
Kings staying calm but hoping for Cup storm later
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