Stanley Cup Final: Kings vs. Devils

[gaijin]

All right, who predicted this Cup matchup? Not I, said the fly.

Two weeks ago, I would have said the Kings could easily demolish the Devils. But with the way New Jersey took out both Philly and New York (in 5 and 6 games, respectively), I'm not so sure...

All I know is, neither Detroit nor Chicago is playing for the Cup.

[glen a richter]

I'm taking Kings in 7. I just find it hard to imagine that any team out of the east could beat any team out of the west this year.

[not_a_wings_fan]

Kings have a date with destiny.

Kings in 5... if it even takes that many.

Terrible matchup for Jersey. Brodeur has been shaky very often.

[theohall]

Going with the Devils. Why? The one team which has played an aggressive offensive system consistently throughout the playoffs is the Devils. The other 3 teams to advance to the Finals all played the defensive style which waits for turnovers the Blues used all season. Yes, even the Kings were doing that crap to the Blues and the Blues couldn't buy a damn bounce in either zone.

It will be interesting seeing how the Kings deal with the Devils aggressive forecheck.

[glen a richter]

I just watched Henrique's goal about 100 times on replay on youtube. What a scramble in front of the net. And to think earlier in the game he had taken a puck to the sack. There's a true champion, not the so called "King" Lundquist or any of those other pricks on the Rags. That whole team will be knocked down a peg next season, they played way over their heads all year and there's no way they can physically survive another season of Torts "block every fvcking puck you can" philosophy. Lundquist will face more shots and be exposed as just an average goalie. Against Ottawa and Washington he was playing against average or below average goalies at best and barely squeaked by. As for New Jersey, he never matched up with Brodeur and he never will. Regardless of how old he is, Marty is still the best. But Quick is pretty damn good himself, which is why I'm taking LA.

[STLADOGG]

Going with the Devils. Why? The one team which has played an aggressive offensive system consistently throughout the playoffs is the Devils. The other 3 teams to advance to the Finals all played the defensive style which waits for turnovers the Blues used all season. Yes, even the Kings were doing that crap to the Blues and the Blues couldn't buy a damn bounce in either zone.

It will be interesting seeing how the Kings deal with the Devils aggressive forecheck.

They beat IMO a pretty strong offensive team in the Canucks..although one of the twins was out for a couple of games.

[glen a richter]

They beat IMO a pretty strong offensive team in the Canucks..although one of the sisters was out for a couple of games.

ftfy

[theohall]

Going with the Devils. Why? The one team which has played an aggressive offensive system consistently throughout the playoffs is the Devils. The other 3 teams to advance to the Finals all played the defensive style which waits for turnovers the Blues used all season. Yes, even the Kings were doing that crap to the Blues and the Blues couldn't buy a damn bounce in either zone.

It will be interesting seeing how the Kings deal with the Devils aggressive forecheck.

They beat IMO a pretty strong offensive team in the Canucks..although one of the twins was out for a couple of games.

Not even the Canucks play the two guys deep in the offensive zone forecheck the Devils have played throughout the playoffs. It is almost like the Devils treat the opposing blueline as the Center ice line when attacking. They dominated the Flyers after Game 1. They dominated the Rangers after Game 1. And they did it with their forecheck - not goaltending, blockey, and defense. Will be an interesting series, IMO. Sutter's defense vs DeBoer's offense. Along with Quick. Let's see if he keeps getting bounces going his way.

[philco_3]

Lets go Devils! Now that I have said that, the Kings will win. fml

[glen a richter]

I suppose we should be wanting the Devils to win for Salvador... and somehow I can't help but feel like if they lose, it'll cost St. Louis 5 or 6 first rounders.

[STLADOGG]

Going with the Devils. Why? The one team which has played an aggressive offensive system consistently throughout the playoffs is the Devils. The other 3 teams to advance to the Finals all played the defensive style which waits for turnovers the Blues used all season. Yes, even the Kings were doing that crap to the Blues and the Blues couldn't buy a damn bounce in either zone.

It will be interesting seeing how the Kings deal with the Devils aggressive forecheck.

They beat IMO a pretty strong offensive team in the Canucks..although one of the twins was out for a couple of games.

Not even the Canucks play the two guys deep in the offensive zone forecheck the Devils have played throughout the playoffs. It is almost like the Devils treat the opposing blueline as the Center ice line when attacking. They dominated the Flyers after Game 1. They dominated the Rangers after Game 1. And they did it with their forecheck - not goaltending, blockey, and defense. Will be an interesting series, IMO. Sutter's defense vs DeBoer's offense. Along with Quick. Let's see if he keeps getting bounces going his way.

Oh I see now good point.

[cprice12]

Never before have I seen a team get so many bounces go their way and get so many calls in their favor than the Kings have through the entire playoffs.

Yes, they have forechecked like nobody's business and played well, but they've been extremely fortunate to go 12-2 so far.

I think the pixie dust that the Kings are using finally wears off and they come crashing back down to earth.

Oh...and someone destroy Brown.

Ugh...I think I'm rooting for NJ. I can't believe I am saying that.

[STLADOGG]

I think the Devils will checkmate the King(s)

[kodos]

In 2 out of the last 3 New Jersey Cup wins, they won by defeating teams with 12-2 records in the finals.

That's a kooky statistic.

That said, I'm rooting for LA.

[dmiles2186]

I'm not sure I have the heart to pull for the Kings. If they win the Cup...it leaves the Blues and the Leafs as the only two teams that haven't won a Cup since 1967. It's a selfish reason, sure, but it would still bum me out.

[kodos]

That's one of the reasons I am pulling for the Kings.

First, it gives me hope that it's possible. Second, I know what it feels like to be a fan of such an underachieving franchise and I always like to see new fans win cups. New Jersey has had an amazing decade already. They don't need another cup win.

Third, for some reason it will be somewhat strangely comforting to be on the bottom of the heap. It's almost as if, if the Blues can't be the best, at least the can be the best at being the worst. It's something. Right?

[not_a_wings_fan]

Jersey played great against the Rangers, but I really don't think the Rags are all that and a bag of chips.

Kings are much more physical.

Their forecheck has been far and away the best of the playoffs, and it isn't even close to my eye.

I see talk about two deep in the offensive zone and Jersey being the only team forechecking that way... did you watch any of the kings' games? Teams couldn't get three passes put together because they forechecked the puck carrier and both the standard outlets.

Couple that with how opportunistic they are (short handed goals, bury defensive zone give aways) and I don't see this being a long series.

The Kings have beat 1,2, and 3 seeds to come out of the West, they have NOTHING to lose in this series and no expectations. I can't see them slip here after what they have already done.

[glen a richter]

The Rags and the Blues are very similar in styles, strong defense first, solid goaltending AS A RESULT and sparing on the offense. Whichever team learns to score goals faster will be the more successful of the two. I could honestly see Blues/Rags finals matchups routinely over the next few years. The only real differences between the two teams are 1) the Rags are dirtier: Rupp and Prust are two punk asses, for real, and 2) the Rags have multiple guys who can score but just didn't--Gaborik, Richards, Dubinsky and Callahan can all be big offensive threats in a system that promotes offense just a little bit more, a situation that will probably present itself if and when Brian Leetch takes over their power play.

Fortunately we have Schwartz and the Savior coming in next season to provide our own offensive boost.

[philco_3]

Fortunately we have Schwartz and the Savior coming in next season to provide our own offensive boost.

You jinxed it...we just lost him and the next 8 first round draft picks to NJ.

[WaukeeBlues]

And with tonight's win, the Kings have accomplished what no other team in NHL history ever has:

3-0 series openings in every round of the playoffs. Makes me feel a lot less bad about losing to them in four haha. I don't know where this came from or how they pulled it off but they've clearly mastered it.

I say the Kings take it down on Wednesday. Series ovah.