Since the Stanley Cup Final match-up was set last friday, the two most common lines uttered have been: "this is such a suprise" and "this is a match-up no one wants to see." Well to some degree neither of these are true. While no one expected to see these two teams in the Cup final, they shouldn't be so suprised for a few reasons. First of all, there was no 100% solid teams this year, no one that seemed to be unbeatable. Second, it's become clear recently that anything could happen in the NHL playoffs. But third and most important, both of these teams had the tools to make a run.
Yes New Jersey finished 4th in their own division but that looks a little better when a closer look is taken. They were 6th in the conference overall but only 7 points behind the conference leading Rangers and played as well as them to finish the season. The Devils were the hottest team heading into the playoffs winning their last six games and moving with in a few points of every contender including Pittsburgh and New York. Then they began to show they weren't your father's New Jersey Devils. They were no longer focused on the trap and lulling teams to sleep. These Devils were a high scoring, exciting bunch. They have three of the league's premier scorers in Kovalchuk, Elias, and Parise, solid veteran scorers Clarkson, Sykora, and Zajac, and oh by the way they still have three time champion Martin Brodeur in net. There should have been no doubt that a team with a roster like this could compete in the playoffs especially because the roster is littered with guys (Brodeur, Sykora, Elias) who have experience in multiple Stanley Cups.
Los Angeles was a sexy pick to be a Cup contender before last season. However they never really got it together fully and by the beginning of this year's playoffs they were almost irrelevant. No one expected them to make much noise especially because they were slated to face the mighty Canucks. But it never occured to most people that the Kings could finally start playing at the level they were capable of once the playoffs started and they were brushed off awfully easily for a team with the league's best goalie. Despite being 29th in scoring this season, the Kings have as much scoring talent as anyone including Dustin Brown, Anze Kopitar, Mike Richards, Jeff Carter, and Justin Williams along with star defenseman Drew Doughty and of course Veizna canidate Jonathan Quick. Isn't that Stanley Cup level talent? Is it really surprising that they could beat St. Louis or Phoenix? or that Vancouver would choke? These Kings are as dangerous as they've looked in the playoffs.
In showing why this matchup is no surprise, I believe I also made a case for it being a good series. What other matchup would have this level of talent in it or as many marquee players? This is the first match-up in a few years where both teams not only play an exciting high scoring style, but also play solid D and top level goaltending. Not only that though, there is real history at stake though. The Devils winning establishes them as the best franchise in hockey outside of Detroit. They've only missed the playoffs twice in the past twenty three seasons and have as many Stanley Cups (four) as anyone. On the other hand this would be LA's first Stanley Cup victory in 45 years as a franchise. Not only would a victory make this their most memorable season in franchise history, it may change things in LA. This wouldn't be like Tampa or Carolina winning the Cup, LA is the second largest market in the country and this might actually make hockey relevent in California. Plus, with all this young talent, the Kings could be competitive for years to come.
Prediction: LA in six. I admit that this may be unpredictable but LA looks too good to lose right now, Brown and Kopitar are playing as well as anyone and Quick may be the best goalie in the world. New Jersey won't go down easily though, look for a higher scoring series than expected.
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