NHL Stanley Cup Finals: 25 Burning Questions Heading into the Finals

With Game 6 tonight, the Stanley Cup Finalists could well be in place before midnight; seventh overtime notwithstanding. Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Kings are hoping that they won't have to wait too long before they get to lace up their skates again.

With a shot at the first title in franchise history, the Kings have defied the odds by knocking off the top three seeds in the Western Conference along the way. A top seeded Eastern Conference foe would be the icing on the cake for their unlikely playoff run, but Los Angeles will take either team in stride.

The Rangers and Devils will be beating the crap out of each other for at least another 60 minutes while the Western Conference Champs can put their feet up and watch.

The puck is getting ready to drop at the Rock in Jersey, so get ready to hear Mike Emrick do some screaming!

Should Dustin Brown Be Banned for Life?

Answer: No he should not. I'll be honest, I was pulling for Phoenix in this series, but they went out sounding kind of whiny. The hit was legal. Late, and post whistle, but technically legal. You hate it if it happens to a guy on your team, but honestly, get over it. There is too much at stake at that point in the game and the series. If Brown's intent was to get the Coyotes to blink: mission accomplished.

Will the Kings Lose on the Road? Ever Again?

Answer: Yes. Probably immediately which is a good thing. Getting a Game 1 loss out of your system isn't a bad thing regardless of what the stats say. A road win streak pales in comparison to what is really at stake. Keep your eyes on the prize Los Angeles.

If Lundqvist Is Spotted in Los Angeles, Will He Be the Next James Bond?

Answer: Possibly. It may offer an unfair competitive advantage if King Henrik will then come equipped with all of 007's cool gadgets. What's standing in the way mostly is that Lundqvist is Swedish. While he may look the part of Ian Fleming's fictional hero, his handsomeness may in fact be trumped by his Swedish-ness.

How Smart Do Dean Lombardi and Lou Lamoriello Look?

Answer:  With one of these 1st year coaches likely to lift the Cup in the next 14 days, I'd say pretty dang smart. DeBoer had the added enjoyment of knocking out his former employer along the way, while Sutter got the first two months of the season off before taking over the Kings.

How Ya Like Me Now?

Answer: Paul Holmgren, GM of the Philadelphia Flyers can't be angry that his two biggest stars from last year's team are playing in the Stanley Cup Finals, can he? From a human being standpoint, you have to feel good for Carter and Richards who were essentially cast off last summer in separate cap cutting deals.

They were reunited before the trade deadline, and have helped (somewhat) inspire a previously apathetic Los Angeles offense. The duo are hoping for a different outcome in this year's Finals than in 2010 with the Flyers.

One Game for Mark Cuban's Money, Who's Your Goalie? Brodeur, Lundqvist or Quick?

Answer: While we may literally witness a changing of the guard in Eastern Conference goalie supremacy, it's still Brodeur's crown until he's beaten on this stage.

That being said, I'll take Jonathan Quick over both right now. I've only seen him let in one soft goal during the Kings' run, and he's the biggest reason they are in the Finals.

Which New York Ranger Will "Guarantee" Victory in Game 6 of the ECF?

Answer: I have no clue if anyone on the Rangers has the stones to step up and do it, but here's a video reminder of why Mark Messier will never pay for a meal in NYC again. Ever.

Same two teams. Same scenario (almost). Come on Callahan. Do it.

When Will Martin Brodeur Realize He Is 40?

Answer: Possibly never. Brodeur may be the most clutch playoff goalie in NHL history. Most hockey purists (of my generation) are Patrick Roy or Martin Brodeur guys, and if I had to bet your paycheck on either one, it's a toss up.

Regardless of a mediocre and often subpar regular season, Brodeur has employed his sorcery over the opposition this May.

Could Zach Parise's Free Agent Audition Be Going Any Better?

Answer: No. General Managers around the league are double checking their cap numbers at least 10 times a day on the Devils' game days.

It's almost impossible to determine what is in Parise's heart long term, but he is putting everything into this series/playoffs like it may be his last.

Do the Rangers Miss Sean Avery?

Answer: No. No they don't.

Will John Torterella's Press Conferences Get More Awkward?

Answer: My sweet Lord, I hope so.

How Many Games Will End in Regulation/Overtime?

Answer: Fingers crossed for seven overtimes in seven games! Free hockey rules!

Will There Be Any More Suspensions in This Year's Playoffs?

Answer: The short answer is, let's hope not. While I don't believe Brendan Shanahan is seeking the spotlight with his decisions, his inconsistency has demanded it.

Traditionally, once teams reach this level of the playoffs, the cheap, high risk play subsides. With so much at stake, players rarely take a chance on a marginal hit (Hope your listening Dustin Brown), or a poor decision.

Not saying it won't happen, but....

Will Barry Melrose Claim Some Type of Responsibility If the Kings Win?

Answer: Of course he will. Barry Melrose is the smartest guy in hockey. Just ask him, he'll tell you so. He laid the ground work for this year's LA Kings 20 years ago.

Will Home Ice Matter?

Answer: More than you think. The Kings keep winning on the road, but can't let a road loss slow them up. As I alluded to in an earlier slide, the focus is the Stanley Cup, not a playoff-road-winning streak.

"The Rock" and MSG will be rocking when the Finals begin, and both clubs can defend home ice well.

Will Marion Gaborik Get out of Tortorella's Dog House in Time?

Answer:   Yes. Gaborik's game-tying goal in Game 5 was a relief to New York fans. The Rangers' regular season leading goal scorer had been kept off the score sheet completely til that point.

His regular season success at New Jersey hasn't translated in this series so far, but Marion may have gotten his mojo back.

Who Will Win the Conn Smythe?

Answer: The East hasn't been decided yet, but top candidates would be:

1. Parise—NJ
2. Brodeur—NJ
3. Lundqvist—NYR
4. Richards—NYR

West:

1. Quick
2. Brown
3. Kopitar

No bad answers here, but there are a couple players on each team that could also emerge in the Finals series too.

Will a Stanley Cup Finals Between LA and NY/NJ Help the League?

Answer: Yes. With the two largest media markets in the United States paying attention(somewhat) the Stanley Cup Finals are sure to rope in more casual fans than ever.

With no NBA in either market still playing, the Kings and NYR/NJ will feature prominently in their markets.

Does Lundqvist Have to Win a Cup to Be One of the Greats?

Answer:  Yes. Henrik Lundqvist has made a career of regular season greatness and 1st round playoff exits. His run into these playoffs finds him poised to reach the next level of greatness.

King Henrik is 30, and with young guns like LA's Quick (26) taking some of his headlines, his time to build a lasting legacy starts immediately.

Will Someone Ever Overtake Claude Giroux as the Leading Scorer in the Playoffs?

Answer: It mathematically has to happen....I think. The goaltending has been that good, but Giroux hasn't done anything remotely athletic in over two weeks.

C'mon all you snipers out there!! Get to sniping!

P.S. Get well soon Claude!!

Will Simon Gagne Make It Back for the Finals?

Answer: Yes. Gagne practiced with the team today, has been cleared for contact and could join the team at any point. While his fitness level may not be game ready, Gagne could definitely be an ace up Darryl Sutter's sleeve.

Will the Kings Score Enough to Win?

Answer: Yes. They have to. It has been a mystery to me how they haven't lit the lamp more this season. They have been leaning heavily on Quick all year to this point, but they have a roster full of talented goal scorers. They haven't quite broken out yet, except for Dustin Brown.

If Brodeur Wins the Cup Will He Retire?

Answer: He should. The rarest of moments allow athletes to walk/skate off the field, floor or ice as champions. It's hard to imagine that Brodeur wouldn't consider this if the Devils can lift the Cup.

What Will the Stanley Cup Do for Each Coach's Legacy?

Answer: 

John Tortorella: legitimizes him as a great coach for all his quirks and ridiculous press "encounters" the guy knows his stuff and motivates his players. A second cup with a second team puts him in an elite category.

Peter DeBoer: Gives him credibility as an NHL coach. His first stint in the NHL with the Panthers didn't end well after a great run in the junior and minor leagues.

Darryl Sutter: A win re-establishes Sutter as a great NHL coach. After a successful run in Calgary that saw him fall short in 2003-04 to Tortorella's Tampa Bay squad.

Who Will Win the Cup?

Answer:  The first team to four wins. Stay tuned......

Heck, if I knew that kind of stuff, don't you think I'd be in Vegas right now?