5 Fan Bases Hurt by the Lockout

 

Other than players signing in Europe or with the KHL there is not much new in terms of hockey, so I've decided to replace the weekly " What You Need to Know" with an idea that was once again  suggested by Jordan. Today we'll be looking at some of the teams whose fans may dump their teams all together after this lockout.

Hockey is Canada's game and for many Canadians hockey is the only professional sport they watch. But in America the NHL isn't nearly as popular. The average American sports fan would rather watch a Monday night football game than a Saturday night hockey game, heck most would rather watch the NCAA than the NHL. Sad but true. This lockout or work stoppage couldn't be happening at a worse time for the league. The NHL was just starting to gain popularity in the US, the Los Angeles Kings won the Stanley Cup and Americans actually tuned in to watch games. Now the NHL is about jeopardize their new found popularity.

If the lockout is going to last look for many fans to turn away from the game and their teams. Some will turn to football or basketball and others will just stop wasting money on their teams. I heard something crazy on the radio last night: The price of a hockey ticket is now more expensive than a NFL ticket! That in itself is not right.

Here's 5 teams whose fan bases will take a major hit because of the lockout.

5. New York Rangers

Right after the Rangers go out and acquire Rick Nash and finally appear to have a team that can challenge for a Stanley Cup the NHL decides it is a good idea to delay the season. Not only is the actually team going to be effected by the lockout but the New York fans may be fast to move on. New York City is a fast paced city the people move around from place to place quickly. Rangers fans that live or are from New York will naturally move on to the next thing if there is no hockey. Plus in New York City there are no shortage of professional sports teams: Yankees, Mets, Knicks, Giants, Jets and the Nets are teams who play or represent New York. The Yankees are the most storied franchise in all of baseball, the Giants just won the SuperBowl and the Jets have added Tim Tebow. With all the excitement following other New York sports franchises the Rangers fan base will take a major hit. Even if Tebow is the backup quarterback he still draws more attention to the Jets than Rick Nash does to the Rangers.

4. Los Angeles Kings



Considering the weather in California, hockey probably isn't on the minds of most Californians. I know it's hard to think that the team that just won theStanley Cup could be in danger of losing fans. Sports fans have very short memories a whole season without hockey and the average American will probably forget who won the last Stanley Cup. Things for people in California to do are endless: They can hit up the beach, tour Hollywood, play golf etc. They can also cheer for one of the 13 other professional sports franchises that call L.A/California home, including the Lakers. For now the Kings have their crown but they may not have the fans. *This also goes for other California hockey teams like the Ducks and Sharks as well.*

3. New York Islanders

Has there been a professional sports team who has done less over the last seven years? The Islanders always seem to find themselves near the bottom of the Eastern Conference. Even with John Tavares the Islanders can't seem to get a decent season going. The fans have to be getting fed up of being the laughingstock of the NHL. To boot the team will be up for relocation at the end of the year, thankfully they have an owners who is willing to back the team. But how much more disappointment can the fans take?

2. Columbus Blue Jackets

My heart breaks for the Blue Jackets and the lockout. They lost their franchise player in Rick Nash and got pretty much nothing in return. They were also scheduled to host the All-Star game. It seems nothing can go right for this desperate franchise right now who haven't made the playoffs since 2008. Like the Islanders the Blue Jackets are another team up for possible relocation. With the loss of Nash and the all-star game, what excitement or hope do the fans have left for their team?

1. Phoenix CoyotesPhoenix

While it appear Gary Bettman will fight to the death to keep the Coyotes in Phoenix a lockout wont help. The team filed for bankruptcy in 2009 and is currently owned by the NHL as they can't find anyone to bfan baseuy it and keep it in the desert. The team has been put through so much and already have a limited fan base. If the lockout lasts a full season expect that limited fan base to move on to other things. The Coyotes are also the favourite team for a relocation and whether Bettman likes it or not it will happen. Hockey in the desert is dead and the lockout will only help prove that point. Playing in an empty arena is no fun.

There you have it, 5 teams whose fan bases will take a major hit if the lockout does indeed last a full season. Hopefully Bettman and Fehr can wake up and realize how bad this lockout is for the teams, the fans and the game itself. If there is a full season lockout the NHL will be forever changed.

How the Kings got Crowned

This post is a follow up of sorts to my last piece: L.A Kings Stanley Cup Champions and will be breaking down how the Kings won the cup. It will talk about some of the key players, key scenarios and how the Kings were able to defeat the Devils in 6 games.

So as you should know by the now the Los Angeles Kings are the 2011-2012 Stanley Cup Champions after defeating the Devils 6-1 on Monday night. The Kings went on a Cinderella run after defeating the Vancouver Canucks in the first round, going on to eliminate the first 3 seeds in the West (Canucks, Blues, Coyotes) and became the first ever 8th seed to lift Lord Stanley's Cup.
So how did they do it, it sure as heck didn't come easily. I've done the research and ran the numbers and came up with some key points.

3 Reasons the Kings won:


1. Jonathan Quick

No matter how good a team is if they don't have good goaltending to go along with it the team will not be successful. That's not the case with the Kings (or the Devils) Jonathan Quick was exceptional throughout these playoffs and was a major reason why they were lifting the cup on Monday. Quick went 16-4 with a 1.41 GAA and .946 Save Percentage add 3 shutouts and 10 consecutive road victories and you have your Conn Smythe winner. He was able to keep the Kings in games even when they weren't scoring, letting in 2 or less goals in 18 of 20 games.
In the Stanley Cup finals he let in just 7 goals in 6 games and stopped 125 of 132 shots.
His 1.41 GAA and .946 Save Percentage were enough to earn him the lowest goals against average and highest save percentage honours. (All done in one playoff year).
In 20 games this post season quick faced 538 shots and stopped 509 of them.
Needless to say Quick was very worthy of his Conn Smythe trophy as he was a major key to the Kings Stanley Cup victory playing lights out hockey. He vitually put an end to Roberto Loungo's career in Vancouver and Zach Parise's career in New Jersey.
He out duelled the legendary Martin Brodeur and that's how the Kings won, they got better goaltending when they needed it most.

2. No place like the road
The Kings were able to do something that hockey fans may never see again, throughout the playoffs they went 10-1 on the road. Including 10 consecutive road wins. In all 4 series they played they started on the road and all 4 times they came back with a 2-0 series lead. Which further proves the myth of home ice advantage, it doesn't matter where you play you can still win and be dominate... the Kings did. You want to talk about home ice advantage, ask the Canucks how well that worked out for them!

3. Top players stepped up

All a team can ask from their star players is that the produce in big games. On Monday night the Kings couldn't have asked for much more from Dustin Brown. Brown opened the scoring by tipping in a Drew Doughty point shot and added 2 assists before the night was over. Putting up 3 points in game 6 and leading by example. The line of Anze Kopitar, Dustin Brown and Justin Williams was the best line for any team in playoffs together they combined for 35 points and a plus/minus of 40. Brown and Kopitar both racked up 20 points and took turn leading the team during the playoffs. Although they were relatively quite during the Finals, Brown came up big when his team needed him most!

3 Stars


1. Jonathan Quick
16-4 - 1.41 GAA- .946 S%-- 3 shutouts and 10 consecutive road victories
The stats speak for themselves.


2. Dustin Brown and Anze Kopitar
Combining these guys together as their stats are identical and they play on the same line!
8 goals - 12 Assists - 20 points with a +/- 16


3. Drew Doughty
Huge leader on defense for the Kings, also came up big in game 6.
4 goals - 12 assists - 16 points He led all defenseman in points in the playoffs.


Honourable Mention


Willie Mitchell--- was on the for 73:43 of Short handed time throughout the playoffs one of their best and most reliable defenseman. He was able to contribute on the score board by adding a goal and 2 assists for 3 points and remarkably was a +7 despite playing almost 75 minutes short handed.

Dark Horse


Dwight King-- a guy very few had heard of before the playoffs began proved to be an important member of the Kings roster and now very deservedly gets his name on the Stanley Cup. King didn't score his first NHL goal until February of this year and was drafted 109th overall in 2007, not exactly the kind of guy you expect big production from. He racked up 24 points in 27 goals during the regular season and didn't stop there. He racked up 5 goals and added 3 assists for 8 points during these playoffs, although those aren't crazy stats they're pretty solid for a 4th line rookie. In fact he outscored Kings Dustin Penner and Justin Williams. He also led the Kings with a 15.2 shooting percentage.
King was able to put the puck in the net when it mattered most and scored some goals that "broke the back" of opponents. He was also responsible for the 3rd goal in which the Kings scored on the 5 minute major, when he got the puck in the neutral zone, breezed past some defenders and left the puck sitting there for his line mate to tap in.
He's a real Don Cherry type of player and he's Canadian to boot!


2 Key Moments


1. Penalty Trouble
This one is obvious, the hit by Steve Bernier on Rob Scuderi which resulted in Bernier being kicked out of the game and the Kings going on a 5 minute power play in which they capitalized 3 times. This play unfortunately set the tone for the rest of the game and spelled the beginning of the end for the Devils who had all the momentum up until that hit. The Kings rallied around that opportunity and seized it which led to them winning their first Stanley Cup in franchise history.

2. The trade Deadline

What the kings were able to do and didn't do paid huge dividends in the end. They were able to acquire former Flyer and Mike Richards party mate Jeff Carter from the Blue Jackets. Carter scored 2 goals in game 6 including the clinching goal that led to the Kings raising the Cup. Carter and Richards Combined for 28 points during the playoffs and needless to say the Kings are great full they were on their roster. Turns out they are capable of winning a Stanley Cup. The Flyers should be getting that thank you card any day now.
Another move or lack there of by the Kings was deciding to keep captain Dustin Brown who was rumoured to be on the trade block. I be they're glad they kept him now! Brown came up big in game 6 recording a goal and 2 assists to lead his team to their first ever championship.
After the King acquired Jeff Carter and Kept Dustin Brown they went on a remarkable 29-9-3 run (much like the Sabres) which ultimately landed them in the 8th and final playoff spot. Brown kicked off the run with a hat trick in a 4-0 win.

Interesting stats
1. The Rangers who only made it to the Conference played the same number of games as the Kings
2. The New Jersey Devils played in 24 games which is 4 games more than the Kings.
3. 29 other goalies in the NHL have a higher cap hit than Jonathan Quick (that will be changing)
4. The Kings went 12-2 during their run through the Western Conference during the playoffs. 
5. The Kings are now the third straight Stanley Cup Champions to have started their season in Europe. (2009 Penguins, 2010 Blackhawks and 2011 Bruins)
6. Dustin Brown is just the 2nd American born captain to raise the Cup.
7. The Kings had 25 Canadian players on their roster, 

How the Kings got Crowned

This post is a follow up of sorts to my last piece: L.A Kings Stanley Cup Champions and will be breaking down how the Kings won the cup. It will talk about some of the key players, key scenarios and how the Kings were able to defeat the Devils in 6 games.

So as you should know by the now the Los Angeles Kings are the 2011-2012 Stanley Cup Champions after defeating the Devils 6-1 on Monday night. The Kings went on a Cinderella run after defeating the Vancouver Canucks in the first round, going on to eliminate the first 3 seeds in the West (Canucks, Blues, Coyotes) and became the first ever 8th seed to lift Lord Stanley's Cup.
So how did they do it, it sure as heck didn't come easily. I've done the research and ran the numbers and came up with some key points.

3 Reasons the Kings won:


1. Jonathan Quick

No matter how good a team is if they don't have good goaltending to go along with it the team will not be successful. That's not the case with the Kings (or the Devils) Jonathan Quick was exceptional throughout these playoffs and was a major reason why they were lifting the cup on Monday. Quick went 16-4 with a 1.41 GAA and .946 Save Percentage add 3 shutouts and 10 consecutive road victories and you have your Conn Smythe winner. He was able to keep the Kings in games even when they weren't scoring, letting in 2 or less goals in 18 of 20 games.
In the Stanley Cup finals he let in just 7 goals in 6 games and stopped 125 of 132 shots.
His 1.41 GAA and .946 Save Percentage were enough to earn him the lowest goals against average and highest save percentage honours. (All done in one playoff year).
In 20 games this post season quick faced 538 shots and stopped 509 of them.
Needless to say Quick was very worthy of his Conn Smythe trophy as he was a major key to the Kings Stanley Cup victory playing lights out hockey. He vitually put an end to Roberto Loungo's career in Vancouver and Zach Parise's career in New Jersey.
He out duelled the legendary Martin Brodeur and that's how the Kings won, they got better goaltending when they needed it most.

2. No place like the road
The Kings were able to do something that hockey fans may never see again, throughout the playoffs they went 10-1 on the road. Including 10 consecutive road wins. In all 4 series they played they started on the road and all 4 times they came back with a 2-0 series lead. Which further proves the myth of home ice advantage, it doesn't matter where you play you can still win and be dominate... the Kings did. You want to talk about home ice advantage, ask the Canucks how well that worked out for them!

3. Top players stepped up

All a team can ask from their star players is that the produce in big games. On Monday night the Kings couldn't have asked for much more from Dustin Brown. Brown opened the scoring by tipping in a Drew Doughty point shot and added 2 assists before the night was over. Putting up 3 points in game 6 and leading by example. The line of Anze Kopitar, Dustin Brown and Justin Williams was the best line for any team in playoffs together they combined for 35 points and a plus/minus of 40. Brown and Kopitar both racked up 20 points and took turn leading the team during the playoffs. Although they were relatively quite during the Finals, Brown came up big when his team needed him most!

3 Stars


1. Jonathan Quick
16-4 - 1.41 GAA- .946 S%-- 3 shutouts and 10 consecutive road victories
The stats speak for themselves.


2. Dustin Brown and Anze Kopitar
Combining these guys together as their stats are identical and they play on the same line!
8 goals - 12 Assists - 20 points with a +/- 16


3. Drew Doughty
Huge leader on defense for the Kings, also came up big in game 6.
4 goals - 12 assists - 16 points He led all defenseman in points in the playoffs.


Honourable Mention


Willie Mitchell--- was on the for 73:43 of Short handed time throughout the playoffs one of their best and most reliable defenseman. He was able to contribute on the score board by adding a goal and 2 assists for 3 points and remarkably was a +7 despite playing almost 75 minutes short handed.

Dark Horse


Dwight King-- a guy very few had heard of before the playoffs began proved to be an important member of the Kings roster and now very deservedly gets his name on the Stanley Cup. King didn't score his first NHL goal until February of this year and was drafted 109th overall in 2007, not exactly the kind of guy you expect big production from. He racked up 24 points in 27 goals during the regular season and didn't stop there. He racked up 5 goals and added 3 assists for 8 points during these playoffs, although those aren't crazy stats they're pretty solid for a 4th line rookie. In fact he outscored Kings Dustin Penner and Justin Williams. He also led the Kings with a 15.2 shooting percentage.
King was able to put the puck in the net when it mattered most and scored some goals that "broke the back" of opponents. He was also responsible for the 3rd goal in which the Kings scored on the 5 minute major, when he got the puck in the neutral zone, breezed past some defenders and left the puck sitting there for his line mate to tap in.
He's a real Don Cherry type of player and he's Canadian to boot!


2 Key Moments


1. Penalty Trouble
This one is obvious, the hit by Steve Bernier on Rob Scuderi which resulted in Bernier being kicked out of the game and the Kings going on a 5 minute power play in which they capitalized 3 times. This play unfortunately set the tone for the rest of the game and spelled the beginning of the end for the Devils who had all the momentum up until that hit. The Kings rallied around that opportunity and seized it which led to them winning their first Stanley Cup in franchise history.

2. The trade Deadline

What the kings were able to do and didn't do paid huge dividends in the end. They were able to acquire former Flyer and Mike Richards party mate Jeff Carter from the Blue Jackets. Carter scored 2 goals in game 6 including the clinching goal that led to the Kings raising the Cup. Carter and Richards Combined for 28 points during the playoffs and needless to say the Kings are great full they were on their roster. Turns out they are capable of winning a Stanley Cup. The Flyers should be getting that thank you card any day now.
Another move or lack there of by the Kings was deciding to keep captain Dustin Brown who was rumoured to be on the trade block. I be they're glad they kept him now! Brown came up big in game 6 recording a goal and 2 assists to lead his team to their first ever championship.
After the King acquired Jeff Carter and Kept Dustin Brown they went on a remarkable 29-9-3 run (much like the Sabres) which ultimately landed them in the 8th and final playoff spot. Brown kicked off the run with a hat trick in a 4-0 win.

Interesting stats
1. The Rangers who only made it to the Conference played the same number of games as the Kings
2. The New Jersey Devils played in 24 games which is 4 games more than the Kings.
3. 29 other goalies in the NHL have a higher cap hit than Jonathan Quick (that will be changing)
4. The Kings went 12-2 during their run through the Western Conference during the playoffs. 
5. The Kings are now the third straight Stanley Cup Champions to have started their season in Europe. (2009 Penguins, 2010 Blackhawks and 2011 Bruins)
6. Dustin Brown is just the 2nd American born captain to raise the Cup.
7. The Kings had 25 Canadian players on their roster, 

2011-2012 Stanley Cup Champions- L.A Kings

The Sun has set on yet another NHL season. It's a bitter sweet moment for hockey fans: on one hand most are happy for the Stanley Cup Champions but on the other hockey is finished until October, and with the impending lockout who knows how long we could have to wait until hockey is back.

On Monday night the Los Angeles Kings defeated the New Jersey Devils 6-1 to become the 2011-2012 Stanley Cup Champions. Winning their first Cup in franchise history (44 years) an exciting moment for the Kings and not even an ending Hollywood could have written as they become the first 8th seed to win a Stanley Cup.

It was quite a remarkable Stanley Cup Finals, the Kings jumped out to an early 3-0 strangle hold on the series and proved once again the fourth game was the hardest to win. The Kings had a chance to win game 4 at home in front of their family, friends and faithful fans but were unable to close it out. They then travelled back to New Jersey where they once again had a chance to win the Cup but fell short yet again. They headed back to L.A for game 6 almost a must win for the Kings. The Devils had all the momentum and had they tied the series up at 3 games a piece they would have been in control for game 7.

The Kings came out firing early, you could tell they wanted to win. They showed more effort in the first period than in games 4 and 5 combined! But just like in games 4 and 5 they couldn't find a way to put one past Martin Brodeur early. That was until the Devils Steve Bernier did something incredibly stupid. By hitting Kings defenceman Rob Scuderi from behind which landed Bernier back in the Devils dressing room before the end of the first. Bernier was given a game misconduct, ejected from the game and a 5 minute penalty, which ultimately turned the game around and virtually handed the Kings the Cup.

So what did he do? Bernier attempted to make Scuderi apart of the boards at Staples Centre in LA. Scuderi went back for a puck in his own end and stopped near the boards, Bernier skated full speed at him from around the blue line and cross checked Scuderi into the boards. Scuderi went flying head first into the boards and left the game for repairs and check ups, likely not knowing his own name when he skated off. Bernier made no attempt to ease up on or avoid the hit, which deemed it worthy of 5 minutes plus a game.

The Kings would go on to score 3 goals on the 5 minute power play before the end of the 1st which ultimately put the game out of reach. The Kings charge was led by their captain Dustin Brown who scored the opening goal on a tip in off a Drew Doughty shot. Brown then shot the puck which was tipped by Jeff Carter for the second goal. Trevor Lewis was in the right spot at the right time and potted a lose puck after a phenomenal rush by Dwight King. Just like that the Devils were in a hole down 3-0.

The Kings would go on to score 1 in the second period to extend their lead to 4-1 and scored 2 in 15 seconds in the third period (including an open net) to put the game to bed and solidify their Stanley Cup Championship.

It was a remarkable run for the Kings who just snuck into the playoffs after claiming the 8th seed. They were able to knock off the first seeded Vancouver Canucks in 5 games, the second seeded St. Louis Blues in 4 games and the third seeded Phoenix Coyotes in 5 games. They were the underdogs in each of the first 2 series, until they started getting more and more attention and then became the team to beat going into the Conference Finals and then the Stanley Cup Finals.

With a record of 16-4 in the Playoffs the Kings were able to win the Stanley Cup in just 20 games, and they lost just 1 game on the road truly remarkable. Jonathan Quick was awarded the Conn Smythe trophy as the MVP of the playoffs, he too played remarkable and was a major reason the Kings were hoisting Lord Stanley's Cup on Monday night.

It's just an honour to be on this team, I'm glad to be a part of it" Said Quick after the game Monday night.

Quick was more than just "a part" of this team for the first 3 rounds he was virtually the reason they succeeded. Finishing the playoffs with a 16-4 record and a 1.41 Goals Against Average which is the lowest goals against average in a single playoff year. He also set the record for highest Save Percentage with a .946. Adding to that list Quick set the record for most consecutive road victories in a single playoff year (10), and set a Kings record for most shutouts in a playoff year (3). But perhaps most remarkably Quick let in 2 or fewer goals in 18 of 20 games!
Quick has primed himself to win the Team U.S.A starting goaltending job for the 2014 Olympics making it even harder for Tim Thomas to come back and win the job.

Although the actual Philadelphia Flyers were eliminated in the second round of the playoffs (by the New Jersey Devils) the Flyers played a huge role in the Kings winning the Stanley Cup.
Remember Mike Richards and Jeff Carter, the two guys who Paul Holmgem didn't feel were the right type of leaders to lead a team to a Stanley Cup? Now they both have won a Stanley Cup and were instrumental in the playoffs. Richards assisted on both of the first 2 goals and racked up 4 goals and 11 assists for 15 points while Carter finished with 8 goals and 5 assists for 13 points including 2 goals to help solidify the win. It was also very fitting that Richards passed the Cup to CarterWhile they weren't the "leaders" of the Kings their veteran presence and production went a long way in the Kings winning the Cup. But the connections to the Flyers don't just stop at Richards and Carter, fellow Kings teammate Simon Gagne who battled all season with concussion symptoms. Also joining the list of players with ties to the Flyers, Colin Fraser (drafted by Flyers in 2003) this was Fraser's second Stanley Cup. Ron Hextall, John Stevens, Dean Lombardi and Justin Williams all have tied to the Flyers organization.

The Los Angeles Kings have two thank you cards to hand out; One to Steve Bernier for giving them a 5 minute power play in which the Kings capitalized 3 times. And the second card to the Flyers for letting go of Richards, Carter and Gagne who played parts in the the Kings win and for letting go of so many players who have made the Kings (and other teams) very successful.

Hats off to the Los Angeles Kings for becoming the 2011-2012 Stanley Cup Champions.

2011-2012 Stanley Cup Champions- L.A Kings

The Sun has set on yet another NHL season. It's a bitter sweet moment for hockey fans: on one hand most are happy for the Stanley Cup Champions but on the other hockey is finished until October, and with the impending lockout who knows how long we could have to wait until hockey is back.

On Monday night the Los Angeles Kings defeated the New Jersey Devils 6-1 to become the 2011-2012 Stanley Cup Champions. Winning their first Cup in franchise history (44 years) an exciting moment for the Kings and not even an ending Hollywood could have written as they become the first 8th seed to win a Stanley Cup.

It was quite a remarkable Stanley Cup Finals, the Kings jumped out to an early 3-0 strangle hold on the series and proved once again the fourth game was the hardest to win. The Kings had a chance to win game 4 at home in front of their family, friends and faithful fans but were unable to close it out. They then travelled back to New Jersey where they once again had a chance to win the Cup but fell short yet again. They headed back to L.A for game 6 almost a must win for the Kings. The Devils had all the momentum and had they tied the series up at 3 games a piece they would have been in control for game 7.

The Kings came out firing early, you could tell they wanted to win. They showed more effort in the first period than in games 4 and 5 combined! But just like in games 4 and 5 they couldn't find a way to put one past Martin Brodeur early. That was until the Devils Steve Bernier did something incredibly stupid. By hitting Kings defenceman Rob Scuderi from behind which landed Bernier back in the Devils dressing room before the end of the first. Bernier was given a game misconduct, ejected from the game and a 5 minute penalty, which ultimately turned the game around and virtually handed the Kings the Cup.

So what did he do? Bernier attempted to make Scuderi apart of the boards at Staples Centre in LA. Scuderi went back for a puck in his own end and stopped near the boards, Bernier skated full speed at him from around the blue line and cross checked Scuderi into the boards. Scuderi went flying head first into the boards and left the game for repairs and check ups, likely not knowing his own name when he skated off. Bernier made no attempt to ease up on or avoid the hit, which deemed it worthy of 5 minutes plus a game.

The Kings would go on to score 3 goals on the 5 minute power play before the end of the 1st which ultimately put the game out of reach. The Kings charge was led by their captain Dustin Brown who scored the opening goal on a tip in off a Drew Doughty shot. Brown then shot the puck which was tipped by Jeff Carter for the second goal. Trevor Lewis was in the right spot at the right time and potted a lose puck after a phenomenal rush by Dwight King. Just like that the Devils were in a hole down 3-0.

The Kings would go on to score 1 in the second period to extend their lead to 4-1 and scored 2 in 15 seconds in the third period (including an open net) to put the game to bed and solidify their Stanley Cup Championship.

It was a remarkable run for the Kings who just snuck into the playoffs after claiming the 8th seed. They were able to knock off the first seeded Vancouver Canucks in 5 games, the second seeded St. Louis Blues in 4 games and the third seeded Phoenix Coyotes in 5 games. They were the underdogs in each of the first 2 series, until they started getting more and more attention and then became the team to beat going into the Conference Finals and then the Stanley Cup Finals.

With a record of 16-4 in the Playoffs the Kings were able to win the Stanley Cup in just 20 games, and they lost just 1 game on the road truly remarkable. Jonathan Quick was awarded the Conn Smythe trophy as the MVP of the playoffs, he too played remarkable and was a major reason the Kings were hoisting Lord Stanley's Cup on Monday night.

It's just an honour to be on this team, I'm glad to be a part of it" Said Quick after the game Monday night.

Quick was more than just "a part" of this team for the first 3 rounds he was virtually the reason they succeeded. Finishing the playoffs with a 16-4 record and a 1.41 Goals Against Average which is the lowest goals against average in a single playoff year. He also set the record for highest Save Percentage with a .946. Adding to that list Quick set the record for most consecutive road victories in a single playoff year (10), and set a Kings record for most shutouts in a playoff year (3). But perhaps most remarkably Quick let in 2 or fewer goals in 18 of 20 games!
Quick has primed himself to win the Team U.S.A starting goaltending job for the 2014 Olympics making it even harder for Tim Thomas to come back and win the job.

Although the actual Philadelphia Flyers were eliminated in the second round of the playoffs (by the New Jersey Devils) the Flyers played a huge role in the Kings winning the Stanley Cup.
Remember Mike Richards and Jeff Carter, the two guys who Paul Holmgem didn't feel were the right type of leaders to lead a team to a Stanley Cup? Now they both have won a Stanley Cup and were instrumental in the playoffs. Richards assisted on both of the first 2 goals and racked up 4 goals and 11 assists for 15 points while Carter finished with 8 goals and 5 assists for 13 points including 2 goals to help solidify the win. It was also very fitting that Richards passed the Cup to CarterWhile they weren't the "leaders" of the Kings their veteran presence and production went a long way in the Kings winning the Cup. But the connections to the Flyers don't just stop at Richards and Carter, fellow Kings teammate Simon Gagne who battled all season with concussion symptoms. Also joining the list of players with ties to the Flyers, Colin Fraser (drafted by Flyers in 2003) this was Fraser's second Stanley Cup. Ron Hextall, John Stevens, Dean Lombardi and Justin Williams all have tied to the Flyers organization.

The Los Angeles Kings have two thank you cards to hand out; One to Steve Bernier for giving them a 5 minute power play in which the Kings capitalized 3 times. And the second card to the Flyers for letting go of Richards, Carter and Gagne who played parts in the the Kings win and for letting go of so many players who have made the Kings (and other teams) very successful.

Hats off to the Los Angeles Kings for becoming the 2011-2012 Stanley Cup Champions.