It’s finally here. All the hoopla will end when the puck drops for Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Finals at Staples Center tonight. Billed as New York versus Los Angeles, the series features the underdog Rangers facing the favorite Kings.

If series were won or lost on paper, there’d be no reason to play. Both these teams earned the right to be here defying the odds. The Rangers dug out of a 3-1 hole in the second round against the Pens and the Kings became the just the fourth team to rally back from 0-3 stunning the Sharks in the first round. This match-up is one of history with each team reaching this point despite needing seven to advance in the first two rounds. In fact, the Kings went the distance in all three including an overtime thriller to defeat the Blackhawks. The Rangers eliminated the Canadiens in six.

Each club has reached this point because they have proven themselves. At some point during this series, attrition will be mentioned on NBC or CBC. That doesn’t matter. When you get here, players are on adrenaline and ready to do whatever it takes to win. They’ve prepared all year for this. When the lights drop in Hollywood, their energy and excitement will be through the roof. So will ours. It’s not often your team makes it here. It’s taken the Rangers 20 years to get back. They’ll aim to silence the experts and deliver the franchise’s fifth Cup. For the Kings, it’s their second appearance in three years. They won their first Cup in 2012. After dethroning the Blackhawks, they’re seeking a second championship in three years. Only one will prevail.

RANGERS VS KINGS BREAKDOWN

Forwards: The Rangers do it by committee. Seven forwards have at least 10 points with Martin St. Louis and Derek Stepan tied atop the leaderboard with 13. St. Louis has been instrumental scoring and setting up clutch goals. Stepan is coming off his best series going 3-4-7 in 5 games. He anchors the top line. Since he returned, Chris Kreider has 10 points (4-6-10). The Rangers are 7-3. Kreider’s size, skill and speed have been huge factors. It’s opened up the ice for Rick Nash. Brad Richards centers St. Louis and speedy winger Carl Hagelin, who’s gotten better. The trio of Derick Brassard, Benoit Pouliot and Mats Zuccarello are their best forechecking line. Able to cycle below the dots, they are crucial. The fourth line of Dominic Moore, Brian Boyle and Derek Dorsett have had an impact with Moore finishing off Montreal.

The Kings are the highest scoring team. Boasting one of the game’s best players in two-way monster Anze Kopitar, who leads everyone with 24 points (5-19-24), they can come at you in waves. Their size edge is huge. They use it well as evidenced by a playoff-leading 898 hits (42.8 average). Kopitar anchors thumping captain Dustin Brown (4-8-12) and former Ranger Marian Gaborik, who enters as the postseason’s top finisher with 12 goals including a clutch tying marker in Game 7 versus Chicago. What if he does in his ex-club? It doesn’t get any easier. Jeff Carter (9-13-22) dominated the third round with five goals and six assists. His line with Tanner Pearson and Tyler Toffoli are hot. They could cause problems. Jarrett Stoll anchors big game performer Justin Williams (7-11-18) and behemoth Dwight King. Mike Richards centers the fourth line, which sums it up. He’s flanked by Trevor Lewis and Kyle Clifford.

Edge: Kings

Defensemen: Ryan McDonagh anchors the Rangers blueline. The minute leader who has averaged 25:11 so far, McDonagh also is pivotal offensively. Early on, he played tentative and seemed to be favoring his left shoulder which was injured by Alex Burrows. He’s returned to form pacing the Rangers with 10 points (2-8-10) against Montreal. Teamed with physical vet Dan Girardi (63 hits, 50 blocks), McDonagh can jump in on the rush and plays a key role on the power play. Marc Staal and Anton Stralman are a steady second pair that don’t contribute much offensively though they are capable. Staal needs a strong series. In Game 1, Raphael Diaz will play for suspended John Moore, who can return Saturday. Diaz will see time on the second power play unit. His lack of size could be exploited. Since coming over from Nashville, Kevin Klein has been a steady presence. There’ll be more pressure.

The Kings are led by all world defenseman Drew Doughty. One of a handful of worthy candidates for the Conn Smythe, he’s dominated throughout leading all blueliners in points (16) while logging enormous minutes (27:50 TOI). Ten of his 16 points have come on the power play where he boasts an accurate shot. One of the best skaters, he can do it all including recover quickly defensively. The Rangers must make him work hard. Partner Jake Muzzin (5-6-11) is capable offensively and likes to throw his weight around (56 hits). In bruiser Slava Voynov (69 hits) and Matt Greene (46 hits), Ranger forwards must keep their heads up. Voynov teams with reliable vet Willie Mitchell, who isn’t the fastest but is smart defensively. Greene works with Game 7 hero Alec Martinez, who is solid.

Edge: Even

Goalies: In Henrik Lundqvist, the Rangers boast the world’s best goalie. Entering the postseason, he was questioned about having something to prove. He answered no. Instead, he’s let his play do the talking which included a virtuoso performance in Games 5-7 where he held the Pens to three goals on 105 shots. Four wins away from silencing the critics, Lundqvist enters with a 2.03 goals-against-average (GAA), .928 save percentage and a Game 7 shutout (18 saves) over Montreal. He’s faced an average of 27.15 shots-per-game.

Jonathan Quick is a former Conn Smythe winner who carried the Kings to victory two years ago. While his numbers (2.86 GAA .906 save percentage 1 SHO) aren’t close to what he did in 2012, he’s fully capable of stealing a series. Don’t forget he’s seen a lot of rubber (29.9 shots-per-game) during the Kings’ run. An athletic netminder who likes to take the low part of the net away, Quick is ‘quick’ enough to recover and make the clutch save. Unlike Lundqvist, who is more back in his net, Quick likes to challenge and sometimes can be overaggressive. The Rangers shooters should be patient. Lundqvist can be beaten high glove. Figure the Kings to target it. In order to beat either, you have to crowd the net. Thus far, Quick’s been more beatable.

Edge: Rangers

Special Teams: Thus far, the Rangers power play ranks 10th converting at 13.6 percent (11-for-81). Despite getting the most opportunities, it’s hit or miss. When they’re on, they are able to control the puck possession and move it effectively. No Blueshirt has more than two power play goals. McDonagh, Kreider, Richards and Stepan are all tied for the team lead. McDonagh leads in power play points with six. The Kings’ penalty kill has been average ranking ninth (81.2 percent). They have no shorthanded goals but can’t be taken lightly.

Conversely, LA’s power play is clicking at 25.4 percent which ranks fifth. Carter has four PPG’s. Doughty has nine power play points with Gaborik and Kopitar each with six. Figure them to get the puck to the point and get traffic in front. The Rangers defensemen will have to move them. Their penalty kill has been consistent coming in second best (85.9 percent). They’ve been aggressive throughout thanks to the likes of Boyle, Moore and Hagelin doing the little things that don’t show up in the box score. The same is echoed for Girardi. When the opportunity is there, they’ll take chances. Hagelin has the lone shorthanded goal. Nash and St. Louis kill penalties as does Stepan and Zuccarello.

Edge: Even

Faceoffs: How often have you heard Don Cherry rant about the importance of faceoffs? The controversial Hockey Night In Canada analyst happens to be right. Winning key draws are gigantic. Simply put, the Rangers are out of their league in that department. They rank 12th at 47.5 percent compared to the Kings, who are second winning 52.9 percent. What they must do is win their fair share or they’ll be chasing the puck a lot.

Stoll checks in at 57.0 percent going 229-and-173. Moore is the Rangers’ best also at 57.0 (134-and-101). The Kings’ biggest asset is Kopitar, who can not only control the tempo but win a good majority. He has won 54.4 (234-and-196). Mike Richards is also on the plus-side at 52.0 (146-and-145). Carter is their worst at 47.3 (105-for-222). Brad Richards has gotten worse and is down to 46.6 (118-for-253). Brassard is at 46.4 going 118-for-254. He does alright on the power play going 21-for-46. Stepan is at a lowly 41.5 despite taking the most faceoffs (159-for-383). He’s been decent in spots. Interestingly, he is almost .500 (30-for-62) on the power play. Not listed is Boyle, who has taken a light amount due to Moore. For the postseason, he’s 59-and-56. Maybe he gets more defensive assignments at even strength by design.

Edge: Kings

Kings and Queens: It really boils down to a contrast in styles. The Kings like to overpower you with their size and strength. They’ll try to bang our players every chance they get. The Rangers do it with speed and overall structure. They have fast skaters who can put LA on the defensive. The key will be the neutral zone where they must limit turnovers. Along with strong discipline, they would like to play this series 5-on-5 but have to dictate the terms. If it turns into a slugfest, that favors the Kings.

Coaches: Alain Vigneault has done a masterful job getting the Rangers here. When you consider how poorly they started with many including myself pondering if he was the right hire, it says a lot about Vigneault’s character. He remained patient and never panicked. As it turned out, he’s been the perfect fit. It’ll be interesting to see if he’s learned from 2011. He definitely has adjusted his style rolling four lines and playing everyone.

Darryl Sutter is a proven winner who guided the Kings to Lord Stanley in 2012. He’s a smart tactician who isn’t afraid to adjust. In Game 7, he changed up his lines and it worked. Sutter always looks mad and reminds me of Scrooge. But he does have a dry sense of humor and is very smart. Don’t let his sour puss fool you. He also plays four lines but might lean on his top guns a bit more.

Edge: Kings

Intangibles: The Rangers have shown a willingness to get dirty and clearly want to prove a point. Counted out by everyone, they’ll again try to use the underdog label to their advantage. Don’t forget this team doesn’t get rattled. They are a good road team who’s strong mentally. This is a step up. The Kings have been here before and have already dismissed three of the West’s best (Sharks, Ducks, Hawks). They know what it takes and have overcome every obstacle.

Edge: Even

Series Prediction: I can’t give one except to say that I think it will go at least six. Besides, it’s my team. Who ever thought they’d make it? If they pull it off, it’ll be remembered forever.