The wildly unpredictable NHL playoffs enter the home stretch with long shots the Los Angeles Kings and the New Jersey Devils going head-to-head in a Stanley Cup final few saw coming.
The once-unthinkable best-of-seven championship series opens today in New Jersey and it marks the finish line of a punishing two-month playoff grind that has produced upset after upset.
After scraping into the post-season as the eighth and final seeds in the Western Conference, Los Angeles are trying to write a Hollywood ending to their storybook playoff run by capturing the 45-year-old franchise’s first Stanley Cup.
Photo: AFP / Miss Universe Organization
The sixth-seeded Devils have won three Stanley Cups since the Kings made their only appearance in the finals in 1993, but another championship would mean no less to a money-losing franchise that is in search of investors.
With the Lakers and Clippers out of the NBA playoffs, there is plenty of hockey buzz in Los Angeles as the Kings’ unlikely run has brought out the Hollywood glitterati, with A-listers from David Beckham to Tom Hanks taking up prime seats at the Staples Center.
“We’ll probably have to get a bigger bandwagon,” Kings forward Dustin Penner said. “It’s great for the city, great for hockey, especially in Southern California. We have a pretty rabid fan base and I think you’ll see more of that now.”
It may not be the dream New York-Los Angeles final the NHL had wanted, but the Devils and the Kings should offer some attractive hockey as East coast grit faces off against West coast glitz, with Newark, New Jersey, long portrayed as home to mobsters and once labeled the US’ most dangerous city, against Los Angeles, the sunny home to the rich and famous.
While the two cities offer stark contrasts, the teams very much mirror each other, relying on brilliant netminding, solid defense and some flashy offensive weapons up front.
Since securing a post-season berth, the Kings have reigned supreme, racing through the West by going 14-2 in knocking off the top-seeded Vancouver Canucks, second seeds the St Louis Blues and third seeds the Phoenix Coyotes, while winning an NHL-record 10 consecutive playoff road games.
The Devils’ path to the finals was more adventurous, needing double-overtime in Game 7 in the opening round to see off the Florida Panthers, before taking out the Philadelphia Flyers in five games, then grinding out a six-game battle with cross-river rivals the New York Rangers.
“Well, you’re down to the last two teams in the league,” Devils head coach Peter DeBoer said. “So the record speaks for itself — who they [the Kings] have beaten and how they’ve beaten them speaks for itself. I feel we’ve beaten some pretty good teams, and I told you my thoughts on the Rangers and how good a team they are. So we’re looking forward to the challenge.”
Since joining the NHL in 1967, the Kings have been hockey royalty in name only, still waiting to be crowned champions.
The last time Los Angeles were in the final, Hall of Famer Wayne Gretzky was the toast of Tinseltown, but this year they are being led by hard-nosed captain Dustin Brown and goaltender Jonathan Quick.
Goaltending has been the key to success this post-season and it will once again be a major factor in deciding which team will sip from Lord Stanley’s famous mug.
The final features a compelling showdown in the net with the Devils’ 40-year-old Martin Brodeur, the NHL’s all-time leader in wins and shutouts, going up against 26-year-old Quick, a Vezina Trophy finalist as top goalie for the 2011-2012 season.
With their play so far, both Quick and Brodeur have earned serious consideration for the Conn Smythe Trophy, given to the most valuable player for his team in the playoffs.
“Every team writes their own stories,” Brodeur said. “I was fortunate to be part of great teams that had success, and I was part of great teams that didn’t have success. Right now, we are having a lot of fun doing what we are doing. The success is coming with it right now. We have a lot of guys contributing and I think that’s what’s making a winning team. It’s not just a one-man show out there.”
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
The sacred flame for the Paris Olympics was lit yesterday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises. “In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city states, even — and in particular — during times of war and conflict,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said. “Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. Then as now, the Olympic athletes are sending this powerful message — yes, it is possible to compete fiercely