“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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