Practice Buzz: Game 3 Is Do or Die For Rangers

Anthony Scultore Jun 9, 2014

Stepan (l) and Boyle (r) talk at practice (NYR instagram)

Mark Messier believes this team can still win, “There’s no question they can still win it.” The NY Post sat down with Mark and he feels they can get back in the series by winning games 3 and 4.

The man that ended the 54 year curse believes the Rangers need a “Seek and Destroy” attitude in order to knock off the LA Kings. It’s an attitude Brian Boyle let out after losing game 2. “I don’t give a sh-t about underdogs. That’s ridiculous. Give me a break. We’re not. We’re here, too. We’re a good team, and you can’t take any solace because we lost.”

Brian Boyle on tonight’s Game 3: “Our backs are against a wall. We need a win.”

— Andrew Gross (@AGrossRecord) June 9, 2014

New York took to practice today before game 3, in what has been called the “biggest game in 20 years” in NY by Alain Vigneault. His game plan will not change, but AV will have the advantage of last change and that may be the difference between a regulation win or an OT loss.

All eyes (and players) on @HLundqvist30 at the @NYRangers morning skate today @TheGarden. #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/L243dW17Up — NHL (@NHL) June 9, 2014

Another clear advantage the Rangers will have tonight is a raucous crowd at MSG. While the LA Kings may be unfazed, the refs will not. After the terrible job of officiating in game 2, you can expect the Garden Faithful to get on them early.

Lundqvist said he didn’t hear from NHL or get further clarification on non-interference call from Game 2 “and I’m done thinking about it.”

— Peter Botte (@PeterBotte) June 9, 2014

Mark Messier expects Ranger fans to passionately support their Blueshirts tonight. “They kept the faith 54 years until we were able to win in 1994, so 20 years later is not gonna change the faith. That we are assured of.” So tonight, the Rangers must rise to the occasion and so should the Blueshirt Faithful. Tonight, the Rangers believe in themselves and we believe in them. Tonight, we get back into the series.

Darryl Sutter says his biggest concern tonight is the Kings are playing the Rangers at Madison Square Garden #wisdom — Pat Leonard (@PLeonardNYDN) June 9, 2014

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