Stanley Cup 2012: Extra Rest Will Give Los Angeles Kings Advantage in Finals

The Los Angeles Kings will have had more than a week off when the Stanley Cup Finals finally get underway on Wednesday, which should give them an advantage at the end of a postseason that has been highlighted by physicality.

Following the NHL lockout, the league embraced a more open style of play that allowed the game's skilled players to showcase their talents. But recently, it has shifted back toward teams with a good blend of speed and toughness like the Kings.

It has caused this year's playoffs to become far more physical, which has taken its toll. Add in the fact every player is dealing with his fair share of nagging ailments after a long regular season, and every day of rest is a valuable commodity.

The Kings have earned it. They rolled through the first three rounds with relative ease, knocking off the three highest seeds in the conference. More impressively, they only dropped two games in the process despite playing on the road eight times. All of that travel takes its toll, as well.

Dustin Brown and Anze Kopitar have led the offensive charge for Los Angeles with a combined 31 points. They have both stepped up, but must prepare to face more pressure than ever since it looks like the Finals will be a defensive battle.

Brown in particular must steel himself because he's never been afraid to deliver some crushing hits. While they have often shifted momentum in LA's favor, they can also wear a player down. By Wednesday, Brown should be ready to hand out some more punishment.

But the time off will help red-hot goalie Jonathan Quick more than anybody else. When he skates between the pipes for Game 1, he'll be making his 84th start of the season. That's a lot of action, even for a young player like him.

If the Kings are going to cap off their surprising run with a championship, they need Quick to dominate like he has through the first three rounds. The extra down time means he should be fully rested for the entire series, and there's a good chance it lasts longer than five games.

Sometimes teams are concerned about the rust factor, but that shouldn't be a problem for the Kings. They have played too well for time off to hurt their momentum. They'll come out flying in Game 1.

And, thanks to that extra rest, keep flying throughout the entire series.