An independent blog on the New York Islanders, the NHL and AHL by a guy from New York.

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

KoC's 2012 Stanley Cup Finals Wrap Up


“What will happen in the Cup Finals?





The LA Kings will be crowned Stanley Cup Champions in 6 games vs the Devils.





I think the Kings are too well balanced and too strong in net to lose in 7 games vs New Jersey. No disrespect to Brodeur, but unless the Devils play way over their heads or JQ has a meltdown, its all Kings. LA is in control of their game, well rested and they know how to bring it. I cant see an embattled New Jersey team going the distance and able to match intensity over another series after an emotional win vs their division rivals.



Whatever the result, it should be awesome!”





That was my prediction for the Stanley Cup finals between the LA Kings and New Jersey Devils.



So what happened?



The LA Kings have been crowned Stanley Cup Champions in 6 games vs the Devils.



They earned their spot in the NHL playoff race at game #81.  They are the first 8th seed in history to win the cup.



How did they beat the New Jersey Devils?



After the Kings took a commanding 3-0 series lead, the Devils fought back to win the next two games.  With a 3-2 series lead, the LA Kings were home with a chance to win the Stanley Cup.  And they did just that.



In game 6, both teams came out ready to play, but it was NJ who had uncharacteristic lapse in discipline.  Steve Bernier crushed Rob Scuderi into the boards from behind drawing blood, giving LA a 5 min PP that would result in 3 goals against his NJ Devils.  After adding a 4th goal, the game stood at 4-0 until the Devils got on the board at the end of the second period.



The game went back and forth until the Kings would score two goals within a :15 second span to what would be the final score of 6-1.  Credit the Devils for their resilient, hard nosed play throughout the playoffs and dogged persistence in the finals.  The officiating has been horrible this season, but give credit where it is due.  The Kings made the most of their opportunities.



Corey Masisasak of NHL.com wrote, “The Devils had avoided elimination four times in this postseason, including twice in this series, but their inability to solve Quick, more than anything, was their undoing. He allowed only eight goals in the six games.”





Jonathan Quick won the Conn Smythe Trophy for most valuable player with a record of 16-4, .946Sv% and 1.41gaa.  That is a dominant performance.






The Kings ended the season Stanley Cup Champions because they added key components and depth in the roster.  How long will Islander fans have to wait?









NHL Notes:





Per USA Hockey, The Conn Smythe trophy has now been awarded to an American goaltender in each of the past two seasons (Quick and Thomas). 



Dustin Brown is 2nd American-born captain to win the Stanley Cup.



This marks the first time in NHL history that both the captain of the Stanley Cup Champions and the Conn Smythe winner have been American.



Liam Mc Hugh remarks, The Kings are 27-9-3 since acquiring Jeff Carter.



Per Eric Hornick, for the Kings, Tonight is the 202nd playoff game in team history; they've played 3,506 reg. season games.



Dmitry Chesnokov, “Of the 12 teams who finished bottom two of their divisions the season after the lockout, BOS, LA, CHI and PIT have since won the Cup.”





The AHL reminds us, “Thinking of the Bailey and Bavis families tonight. LA Kings scouts and AHL alums lost their lives on 9/11.”







AHL Notes:





Per the AHL, Norfolk has swept the Toronto Marlies to win the Calder Cup.  Norfolk outscored their opponents 34-7 over the last 10 games and never trailed in a game during the conference finals or Calder Cup Finals.  They finished the regular season on a 28-game win streak, finishes the playoffs on a 10-game win streak. 43-3 in their last 46 overall.



Brian Compton added, “Including playoffs, the Admirals played 94 games. They won 70 of them.”






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