With the 8th Seed LA Kings in the Cup Finals and the New Jersey Devils as a 6 seed on the verge, it is time to start talking about this type of game historically. And if anyone out there picked this match up, I would love to hear from you. This could be one of the most unlikely Finals in history.
Since the Playoffs went to the new format, the only 8 seed that made it to the Stanley Cup Finals was Edmonton in 2006. There has been a couple of 7 seeds Anaheim and Vancouver that made it in 03′ and 94′ respectively. Their was also a 6th seed that made it and that was Calgary in 04′. But what did all of these teams have in common? That’s right, they all lost. The Lowest seeded team to win the cup was the New Jersey Devils in 1995 as a 5 seed.
The LA Kings have motored through the playoffs this year playing clearly their best Hockey of the Season. Led by Dustin Brown and Anze Kopitar, this kings team has put together a great balance for their post season run. It is this balance that has allowed them to succeed, but no one really could predict this degree of success. Half way through the playoffs, I was convinced that no one from the East could beat them. I still stand by that.
The Devils are up 3-2 against the Rangers and while I am sure the NHL is hoping for a Rangers vs. Kings match up, do not be surprised at all to see this Devils team close things out on Friday. They have scoring, toughness, and great goal tending. Ilya Kovalchuk and Zach Parise have led this Devils team to this 3-2 lead in the series not to mention the fact that Marty Brodeur is the rock of all rocks in between the pipes.
All Eyes will be on this Devils Rangers game on Friday to see if the Rangers can come back again or if the Devils can put the Rangers away. The Puck Drops at 8 pm.
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