Stanley Cup Final 2014: Schedule, Odds and Picks for Rangers vs. Kings Game 1

The 2014 Stanley Cup Final has arrived. After one of the more dramatic postseasons in recent memory, teams from the two biggest media markets in the United States will face off for the right to take home the Stanley Cup.

The Los Angeles Kings look like a veritable team of destiny. Often down, never out and always, always getting the last laugh. They are looking to take home the Stanley Cup for the second time in franchise history after dispatching the defending-champion Chicago Blackhawks in a thrilling 5-4 overtime victory in Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals.

The New York Rangers haven't had many opportunities to reach the pinnacle of their sport. This will be their first Stanley Cup Final appearance since the 1993-1994 season, when they beat the Vancouver Canucks in seven games to take home the silver trophy.

This is also the first time the two franchises have ever met in the Stanley Cup Final. The way both teams have played so far, it could also go down as one of the most memorable series in NHL history.

Here is the complete schedule and necessary television information for the Stanley Cup Final.

Game	Visiting	Home	Date	Time	TV
1	Rangers	Kings	June 4	8 p.m.	NBC
2	Rangers	Kings	June 7	7 p.m.	NBC
3	Kings	Rangers	June 9	8 p.m.	NBCSN
4	Kings	Rangers	June 11	8 p.m.	NBCSN
5*	Rangers	Kings	June 13	8 p.m.	NBC
6*	Kings	Rangers	June 16	8 p.m.	NBC
7*	Rangers	Kings	June 18	8 p.m.	NBC

With the schedule taken care of, here is the latest look at the championship odds for the two remaining contenders.

Team	Odds
Los Angeles Kings	-160
New York Rangers	+140

 (Note: Odds updated as of Monday, June 2.)

Game 1 Preview and Prediction

Rangers head coach Alain Vigneault knows exactly what it will take for his team to upset the Kings. Via the team's official Twitter account:

Two players have defined the Kings' playoff run: Jonathan Quick and Marian Gaborik.

Quick looked atrocious out of the gate in Round 1 against the San Jose Sharks, giving up 16 goals in those first three losses. He managed to recover in time for the Kings to pull off an incredible comeback to take the series in seven games. He continued to give opposing players fits throughout the playoffs.

However, his shot-stopping ability took a noticeable dip against the Chicago Blackhawks. He posted a .889 save percentage in the series, as per ESPN.com. The Kings can't afford to have Quick revert to the form he displayed at the beginning of the postseason.

Quick might be due for a huge letdown in Game 1, but he's also at his best when the stakes are at their highest, according to ESPN Stats & Info.

Gaborik's torrid scoring streak in the playoffs is nothing short of miraculous. His offensive production in the playoffs is unbelievable when compared to what he accomplished during the regular season.

2013-2014	Games	Goals	Assists	Shots	Shooting Percentage	Points per game	Average Time On Ice
Regular Season	41	11	19	103	10.7 %	0.73	17:00
Postseason	21	12	7	65	18.5 %	0.90	17:06

It will be up to Rangers' defensemen Ryan McDonagh, Marc Staal and Dan Girardi to neutralize this newfound threat. However, they can't put all the focus on Gaborik, as Anze Kopitar is constantly a threat to make a killer pass. NHL.com's Pete Jensen believes Kopitar may be the toughest center the Rangers face in the postseason.

Goalie Henrik Lundqvist has keyed the Rangers' postseason run. He's posted a .928 save percentage during the playoffs and hasn't given up more than four goals in a single game. He was at his best in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Final, posting a huge shutout as the Rangers clinched their championship berth with a 1-0 victory. Lundqvist expressed his thoughts on the decisive game to ESPN's Pierre LeBrun.

The Rangers have spread the puck around on offense and should be able to continue their balanced attack against the Kings. Not a single Ranger has more than 13 points to his name in the postseason. McDonagh has chipped in with 10 assists as a defenseman, adding to the Rangers fluid dynamic on offense.

In Game 1, Kopitar and Gaborik will take turns tormenting the Rangers' defense and will likely put up a goal or two early on. However, the Rangers won't have a problem pummeling Quick with shots, and the goalie's downturn in form will leave the Kings on the wrong end of a close scoreline.

Maybe the Kings just function better after putting themselves in a hole. The Rangers will take Game 1, but the series itself will go down to the bitter end.

Prediction: Rangers win Game 1 by a score of 4-3.