from TSN,

The Rangers know the Kings enter this matchup as the favourite, going for their second Stanley Cup in three years, but are not focusing on labels as they approach Game 1.

"The underdog thing and the favourite thing really doesn't mean anything in the locker room. You have to go out and play," said Rangers forward Brad Richards.

Rangers head coach Alain Vigneault said he understands why the label is on his team, but will not use it as a crutch in the series. "To put it quite simply, we're up against the team that won the Stanley Cup two years ago that just beat the defending Stanley Cup champions, that without a doubt is battle-tested," he said. "We know exactly what we have to do. If we want to have a chance, we're going to have to bring our best hockey of the year. It's as simple as that."

Kings head coach Darryl Sutter has no intention of allowing his club to buy into that same hype. Sutter pointed out the strengths of Rangers he had observed on Monday.

"Great goaltending. Great defence. Great forwards. Great special teams," he said. "We're up against it again."

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