LOS ANGELES -- The Los Angeles Kings are a mountain to climb, and the size of the challenge comes home the closer you get. [url=http://www.cheapbearsjerseysauthentic.com/?tag=authentic-eddie-jack son-jersey]Authentic Eddie Jackson Jersey[/url] . The New York Rangers finally had a first-hand look in Ga

LOS ANGELES -- The Los Angeles Kings are a mountain to climb, and the size of the challenge comes home the closer you get. Authentic Eddie Jackson Jersey . The New York Rangers finally had a first-hand look in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup final, mounting an early assault before Los Angeles knocked them back to win 3-2 in overtime. Asked to compare the physicality of the well-drilled Kings to the three teams the Rangers have beaten in the playoffs to date, New York coach Alain Vigneault neatly summed up the challenge before the Blueshirts. "Philly was a physical team and they played on the edge," he said. "Pittsburgh played more of a skill game, but they also had quite a few players that played on the edge. Montreal was a real structured team. So they were three different opponents. "This one here is structured. Theyve got skill. Theyre physical. So makes it a pretty big challenge." You can add battle-hardened to that list. In the dog-eat-dog Western Conference, the Kings have come to the final the long way. They have had to run the gauntlet of San Jose, Anaheim and Chicago -- teams that finished 15, 20 and 11 points, respectively, ahead of New York in the regular season. And they did it without home-ice advantage. "Were a team thats just never going to go away," said Los Angeles forward Kyle Clifford. "Doesnt matter what the score is, were going to play our hardest and do what we do best." The Kings, who clawed their way back to dominate the second half of Wednesdays game, have already given the Rangers plenty to chew on. The New Yorkers, nestled in a five-star cubbyhole on the beach, had the day off Thursday to ponder the challenge. "To be able to be away from the game is a good thing, but at the same time I think if you ask every guy on our team, where were at mentally right now is were at the rink still," said forward Derek Stepan. "Guys are evaluating their own games, getting ready to make adjustments and get ourselves ready for Game 2." That comes Saturday, and Vigneault wasted little time challenging his players to up their game this time. "One thing is real evident to me, and it should be to our whole group, is were not going to beat this team if we do not all bring our A game," Vigneault said. "It is that strong of an opponent that were playing against. "We had Hank (goalie Henrik Lundqvist) that brought his A game last night. We had a couple guys. I dont want to name who, I think brought their A game. But our B game wont do it. Were not going to win if we bring our B game to the table. "Theyre one of the best teams Ive seen in a long time. Areas to exploit, they dont jump out at you. Were going to have to be better than we were." Unlike in the Eastern Conference final series against Montreal, where Vigneault and Habs coach Michel Therrien poked and prodded each other verbally, Vigneault has been all business so far in the final. He seems to be staring at the Kings, like a career bank robber pondering how to take down a state-of-the-art safe. The Rangers coach says his team knew going into the series what was needed to win. "Its something that we discussed -- how good the opponent was. And thats a challenge. At this time of the year to win, you got to bring your A game. Thats each and every player. When we played Game 6 against Montreal, each and every player brought his A game. Its not an easy thing to do. But against this opponent, I do believe our expectations are to win, (weve) got to find a way to do it." Vigneault is no strangers to the challenge, having crossed paths with the Kings many times during his years as coach of the Canucks. "They were a good team in the years past," he said. "Theyre a real good team now. Theyve obviously got more experience. They play their game plan to a T and they dont deviate in any shape, way, or form so that makes it real challenging for the opposition." Captain Dustin Brown says part of the secret of the Kings success is their familiarity. "For our team, its just a result of us being together for a long time. I think that goes a longer ways than most people think," he said. "When it gets really hard, really tough, you know the guy next to you very well. You know what hes going to do in those types of situations." Worrying for the Rangers is the fact the Kings, who fell behind 2-0 in the first period only to rally and outshoot New York 20-3 in the third, can be better. Los Angeles coach Darryl Sutter acknowledged his team was sluggish following the quick turnaround from the gruelling series with Chicago. "Guys are not machines," he told a media availability at a hotel adjacent to their practice facility. "We can play a lot better," he added. "Its way better when youre not chasing the lead." Sutter did his bit to inject some life into his team, changing up the lines in the first period as soon as he saw some players did not have their legs under them. The Kings also had an off-day Thursday. Authentic Chase Daniel Jersey . Each day, TSN.ca provides the latest rumours, reports and speculation from around the NHL beat. The latest from Bob As tweeted by TSN Hockey Insider Bob McKenzie on Monday, the Columbus Blue Jackets need to resolve their offseason plans with forward R. Authentic Mitchell Trubisky Jersey . After a tight first half, the Croatians took command in Reykjavik after Skulason was dismissed for a professional foul in the 51st minute, but couldnt find a way past Iceland goalkeeper Hannes Halldorsson and his packed defence. Eduardo had a weak shot cleared away from near the goalline after barely a minute for Croatia, whose substitute Ivica Olic forced a fine reaction save from Halldorsson in the 55th. http://www.cheapbearsjerseysauthentic.com/?tag=authentic-patrick-scales-jersey . Now the Minnesota Vikings have set their sights on soccer.CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Brian Roberts believes the Charlotte Hornets are in good hands if Kemba Walker is out for any length of time.The third-year point guard filled in for Walker and scored 17 points, and the Hornets beat the New York Knicks 76-71 Saturday night for their ninth victory in the last 11 games.Roberts was 5 of 9 from the field and made all six free throws as the Hornets snapped the Knicks three-game win streak.Just to know I can come in help a team win games, that is something you cant teach, Roberts said. Just have experience that I was fortunate enough to have last year. And it looks like Im going to have to do that a little bit here.The Hornets arent saying how long their leading scorer will be out.Walker, who is averaging 18.9 points and 5.2 assists per game, has now missed three of the last five games with a left knee cyst.Roberts isnt worried.He started 42 games last season in New Orleans when Jrue Holiday went down with an injury and did well in that role.One of the advantage of bringing him here was that he started so many games last year so hes comfortable in that role, Hornets coach Steve Clifford said.The Hornets have more to worry about than just Walker.Big men Marvin Williams (concussion) and Bismack Biyombo (knee bruise) left the game early and did not return. Their status is day-to-day.The Knicks know all about injuries.They played without Carmelo Anthony, who was held out to rest his knee on the second night of a back-to-back.Tim Hardaway Jr. led New York with 25 points and Lance Thomas had 16 points and eight rebounds. But the Knicks were 5 of 15 from the field in the fourth quarter.We put the guys out there that have never been in that situation, together at least, Knicks coach Derek Fisher said. So it impacts the way you finish games.The Hornets win came one night after a 39-point loss to LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers.You learn quickly in the NBA you have to have a short memory — win or lose, Henderson said. We had a good week at 4-1.. Authentic Josh Bellamy Jersey. We have played well the last couple of weeks and obviously that game is not representative of how weve played. So you forget about it and move on.The Hornets looked sluggish early, missing 24 of their first 29 shots from the field. However, the Knicks couldnt take advantage and only led by one at halftime.The Hornets eventually took the lead with 3 minutes left in the third quarter when Jason Maxiell hit an 18-foot jumper from the foul line.With the game tied at 69, Roberts hit a fall-away jumper from the left baseline to give the Hornets the lead for good.The Knicks had a chance to tie the game with 22 seconds left but Hardaway clanked a 3-pointer off the backboard and Cole Aldrich threw the ball away with 11 seconds left after chasing down a loose ball. Gerald Henderson knocked down two free throws with 10 seconds left to help seal the win.We have to value that last possession, Hardaway said.Clifford was hoping that Al Jefferson, in his third game back from a groin injury, would help to pick up the scoring slack with Walker out. But the big man started the game 2 of 11 from the field and finished with nine points.___TIP-INSKnicks: The Knicks started three players on 10-day contracts — Lance Thomas, Langston Galloway and Lou Amundson. ... Amundson fouled out with 3:30 left in the fourth quarter.Hornets: The Hornets were outrebounded 54-41, in part because Biyombo and Williams were out.DIKEMBE JEFFERSON?Jefferson was credited with seven blocks, tying a career-high. Afterward, Henderson was told of the statistic and joked, Blocks? Those werent blocks, those were swipe downs!DALE JR. CHIMES INNASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. chimed in on Twitter on Saturday night, saying The Lance Stephenson thing feels a lot like the Ben Gordon thing. Stephenson has struggled to find his niche in Charlotte and has been the subject of trade rumours for the last two months.UP NEXTKnicks: At San Antonio on Wednesday night.Hornets: Host Sacramento on Monday night. ' ' '