04/24/24
June 11, 2012
Kings of the NHL: The Los Angeles Kings crushed the New Jersey Devils 6-1 to claim Lord Stanley's Cup for the first time in franchise history, taking the series four games to two. The Kings' first three goals were scored during a five-minute major penalty in the first period. Steve Bernier hit Rob Scuderi behind the Kings' net and was assessed a major penalty for boarding and a game misconduct. Kings Goaltender Jonathan Quick won the Conn Smythe trophy as the playoff MVP.
My favourite moment in the celebration was watching Sutter hoist the Cup. He's been coaching for 20 years, he's one of those genuine no nonsense nice guys, and was one game away from it eight years ago, so it's nice to see him finally get his dues.
posted by grum@work at 11:25 PM on June 11, 2012
Dustin Brown: this is why we fuckin' play.
posted by tommybiden at 11:28 PM on June 11, 2012
He's right.
posted by grum@work at 11:34 PM on June 11, 2012
Better audio/video of Dustin Brown
posted by tommybiden at 11:53 PM on June 11, 2012
*sigh*
Wow, didn't realize that every team that's won a Cup in the current NHL had won one since...yikes...
posted by MeatSaber at 11:55 PM on June 11, 2012
It's down to St. Louis and Toronto to decide which team will be the last one to win a Stanley Cup since 1967-68 expansion.
Every other team that hasn't won a Stanley Cup has joined the league AFTER 1967-68.
If you shrink the requirement to even making it to the Stanley Cup finals, then you're down to only:
Toronto Maple Leafs
Winnipeg Jets/Phoenix Coyotes
Columbus Blue Jackets
Atlanta Thrashers/Winnipeg Jets
Nashville Predators
Minnesota Wild
San Jose Sharks
One of these teams is not like the others...
posted by grum@work at 12:10 AM on June 12, 2012
Nine different teams have won the Stanley Cup the last 9 times it has been awarded.
Following that logic, the Toronto Maple Leafs should be champions by 2033-34 at the latest.
posted by tommybiden at 12:15 AM on June 12, 2012
Following that logic, the Toronto Maple Leafs should be champions by 2033-34 at the latest.
Ouch.
posted by roberts at 06:45 AM on June 12, 2012
Cutest post-game presser ever.
posted by NoMich at 06:58 AM on June 12, 2012
LA is definitely Sports City USA at the moment.
Best part about it is I have to remind myself that the Lakers are part of the scene.
The purple and gold is becoming an afterthought with all the other moments of excellence blooming all around. Including the divorce-and-divestment-defying Dodgers.
posted by beaverboard at 10:14 AM on June 12, 2012
I just realized as I was watching the players hoist the Cup that they were being filmed by a cameraman going backwards on skates. You can see him here.
posted by rcade at 11:06 AM on June 12, 2012
Congratulations to the Kings on one of the most impressive post season runs ever. They were the best team in the playoffs, hands down. It will be interesting to see if they can back it up next regular season.
The Devils were a pleasant surprise, but I'm afraid that this season was Brodeur's last push for cup #4. That major to Bernier was simply impossible to overcome (this Devils fan is not complaining about the call-it was a no doubter). Even if LA hadn't potted three on that power play, the sheer amount of time the Devils spent killing penalties through the middle of the second period had them completely gassed. Add to that playing a line short for the better part of the game due to 2 misconducts thrown on top of Bernier's match penalty, and there was no way to keep up with the bigger, younger Kings. Fun final, regardless.
posted by tahoemoj at 11:10 AM on June 12, 2012
LA was dominant for most of the playoffs. Their forecheck was generally the best in the league and their top players and roleplayers all contributed. They really bought in to Darryl Sutter's system and most games they simply outworked the opposition. That, along with their skill, made them pretty much unbeatable. It doesn't hurt having the best goalie in the league either.
posted by insomnyuk at 11:11 AM on June 12, 2012
As a LA Kings fan and So Cal resident this is just fantastic. I couldn't even bring myself to believe they could do it. They almost missed the playoffs after another crappy season. We have had great players and skaters but never seemed to be able to play the kind of physical relentless hockey that wins in the playoffs. Almost couldn't believe the team I was watching during this playoff run was the LA Kings. One of the most dominant playoff runs in team sports history. I almost thought after going up 3-0 in the finals that they would find a way to return to the Kings of old, but even on the occasions when they lost they looked tough and were playing very good hockey.
When you live in Los Angeles it's pretty hard to imagine a world where the Lakers are watching the NBA finals from home and the Kings are holding up the Stanley Cup. F'ing fantastic. Couldn't have scripted it any better.
posted by Atheist at 11:37 AM on June 12, 2012
I couldn't even bring myself to believe they could do it.
posted by Atheist at 11:37 AM on June 12
Divine intervention?
:)
posted by grum@work at 11:46 AM on June 12, 2012
Divine intervention?
I don't think Gretzky had anything to do with it.
posted by tahoemoj at 12:15 PM on June 12, 2012
I don't think Gretzky had anything to do with it.
But we don't know that for sure.
posted by Atheist at 12:52 PM on June 12, 2012
I'm left to wonder how Philly management (*?) feels now about this season's upgrade of the Flyers by the subtraction of Carter and Richards and the addition of Bryzgalov. The Flyers' braintrust has certainly created one powerhouse lineup ... in LA, that is.
posted by cixelsyd at 04:43 PM on June 12, 2012
Although I had no real rooting interest in the finals, I'm sort of happy that Kings won it. their AHL affiliate is in Manchester, NH, and a 14 former Monarchs, including Jonathan Quick and Dustin Brown skated for Kings. I hope that their former Director of Pro Scouting, Garnet "Ace" Bailey, murdered by terrorists on 11 September 2011, was watching from a very high luxury box and enjoying the win greatly.
posted by Howard_T at 04:53 PM on June 12, 2012
Montreal CanadiensPhiladelphia FlyersBoston BruinsNew York IslandersEdmonton OilersAtlanta/Calgary FlamesPittsburgh PenguinsNew York RangersKansas City Scouts/Colorado Rockies/New Jersey DevilsDetroit Red WingsQuebec Nordiques/Colorado AvalancheCalifornia Golden Seals/Cleveland Barons/Minnesota North Stars/Dallas StarsHartford Whalers/Carolina HurricanesTampa Bay LightningAnaheim DucksChicago BlackhawksLos Angeles KingsVancouver Canucks
St. Louis Blues
Buffalo Sabres
Washington Capitals
Winnipeg Jets/Phoenix Coyotes
Ottawa Senators
Florida Panthers
Columbus Blue Jackets
Atlanta Thrashers/Winnipeg Jets
Nashville Predators
Minnesota Wild
San Jose Sharks
*sigh*