Up 3-0 against the New York Rangers in the Stanley Cup Finals, it seems almost certain the Los Angeles Kings will bring home the greatest trophy in sports for the second time in three years.
While we certainly didn’t think the Kings would make it this far, it’s been a fun ride full of goals, big saves and plenty of history-making. But there are many reasons as to why “Hockeywood” is on the verge of celebrating yet again and we decided to choose the 10 best.
The Team’s Twitter Account
If you don’t follow the Kings on Twitter, you’re missing out. Most sport teams have boring, blah accounts that only give you the facts – not Los Angeles. They’ll heckle fans, chirp it up with other NHL teams and even post some funny picture with well written captions. We’re not sure who is in charge of the account, but they definitely need a raise – and an extra sip from the cup.
Justin Williams: Mr. Game 7
Throughout almost his entire career, Justin Williams has been clutch. Pretty much all the 32-year-old does is score goals in the playoffs. This postseason he has 24 points in 24 games – with six multi-point games – five points in Game 7s and 11 points in seven elimination games. It’s really nothing new and now Williams is among the most clutch players in the NHL. Mr. Game 7 does have s nice ring to it.
Jonathan Quick: His Royal Smytheness
New season, same old story. Seriously, are we living a re-run? After a solid regular season, Jonathan Quick is playing like a man possessed in between the pipes, with a goals-against average of 2.69 and a .910 save percentage. Quick has given up a decent amount of goals this postseason, but he’s made the big stops when the Kings needed it and singlehandedly won a few games. There might just be a second Conn Smythe Trophy – as playoffs most valuable player – for Quick when all is said and done.
Sitting Through Darryl Sutter’s Press Conferences
If you’re one of those people that switch the channel as soon as the final horn sounds, then to be honest, you’re one of the lucky ones. For most of us, immersed in both pre and postgame shenanigans, there’s no getting away from coach Darryl Sutter’s press conferences. They’re slow, monotone and regurgitated time-and-time again – though sometimes there’s the occasional amusing anecdote. But we certainly don’t envy the media, or the players that have to follow that act.
Putting Up With All the Donald Sterling Crap
It’s been a month and a half since the whole Donald Sterling racism thing went down and still it dominates the headlines of the sports world. The national media has played it to death, so we can only imagine how Los Angeles residents must feel – not to mention the Kings. The players have had to answer questions about the comments as if it was their own team. Shut up already about it – and get ready to celebrate a well-run team, worthy of your praises.
The Monumental Comeback
Down 3-0 to the division rival San Jose Sharks in the second round of the postseason, the Kings looked, pardon the pun, dead in the water. But then Los Angeles turned up its game, winning four in a row to become just the fifth team in professional sports to overcome the deficit. That’s five in 315 attempts, or 98.4 percent, while 204, or 65 percent, go on to sweep the series. The odds might not have been with the Kings, but like all season, this team just wouldn’t say die.
Retribution For Getting Shutout In Their First Outdoor Game
It was the franchise’s first outdoor game in its history, in one of sport’s most recognizable venues, against the Kings’ division rival – yet the team came out and laid an egg. Without so much as putting one biscuit in the basket, Los Angeles was shutout by the Anaheim Ducks, sending fans for the exits with memories clouded by disappointment and a ringing in their ears from KISS’s intermission performance. It was a tough pill to swallow, one that left a hefty hangover – until now, that is.
The Marian Gaborik Trade
When Marian Gaborik was traded to the Kings from the Columbus Blue Jackets it made headlines, though many believed Gaborik wasn’t the player he once was. He only cost Los Angeles Matt Frattin, a second round pick and a conditional third, so it was well worth the risk. Gaborik has proven to be one of the Kings’ key components, scoring 16 points in 19 games to close out the regular season and has 21 points in 24 postseason games. It’s hard to imagine the Kings in the position they’re in without him – oh, and he’s on the verge of winning the Stanley Cup against his former team.
Will Ferrell’s Billboard Near Madison Square Garden
The former SNL funnyman took a shot at his former employer, his former home and all Rangers fans before the start of the Stanley Cup Finals when he bought a billboard close to Madison Square Garden, to put this up:
Its awesomeness explains itself. Kings fans are more diehard than you might think.
Because They Were The Favorite
As per usual, Las Vegas set the odds of the Stanley Cup Finals days before the puck was set to drop. It came as little surprise that the Kings were the favorite with 10-17 odds, while the Rangers were at 3-2. Looking at who Los Angeles played to get there, it only made sense – plus they’re a much better team on paper. And it’s been proven through the first three games of the finals.
Ed Miller is a contributor for CraveOnline Sports. You can follow him on Twitter @PhillyEdMiller or “like” CraveOnline Sports on Facebook.
Photo Credit: Getty
