Quoting: KakkoForMauriceRichardAward
No, you got me wrong, the 2012 LA team was underrated, or not seen has it would've deserved to be seen. The 2014 one was kinda overrated IMO because of their style of play. Like the next season you guys fll off a pretty big cliff which was a big surprise to pretty much everyone. Don't get me wrong, you were elite, but when I look at that team I see:
-an amazing goalie, probably top 4-5 in the league (Price, Hank, Lunongo, Quick and Rinne)
-an amazing one two punch at D
-some younger d-men... Martinez (gulp) and Muzzin
-a few good forwards
But overall a team that was 100% built on its defense, nothing much besides that. They really were a one dimensional team... it did work for them tho
I don't agree with that assessment. While they were a solid defensive team, that's not what defined the team. It was their elite possession game and heavy forecheck that punished the other teams defense. If they were solely defensive, you would see them getting outshot every game. Here are the SOG totals for each of the games that series:
Game 1: LA 43, NY 27
Game 2: LA 44, NY 38
Game 3: LA 15, NY 32 (Thanks Quick!)
Game 4: LA 41, NY 19 (Lundqvist stole this one)
Game 5: LA 51, NY 30
After ousting the Ducks in 7 games, Anaheim went out to acquire some heavier players specifically to handle LA in the playoffs, because they felt like they got pushed around in the series and couldn't keep up.
Not trying to be a jerk, but the Rangers were actually the easiest of the opponents the Kings had to face in the postseason that year. They had tougher challenges from each of the Western Conference teams they played against, since Western teams generally relied more on size and strength than speed and skill.