Stanley Cup Finals 2012: Los Angeles Kings vs. New Jersey Devils Betting Preview

 

(6)  New Jersey vs. (8) Los Angeles

How in the world did we end up with these two teams playing for the Stanley Cup? The formula is simple. Each club has four dependable lines that keep the pressure on defenses, who work the corners with physical play, scrape out the puck to give their team a chance to work to the front of the goal for quality scoring chances.

Both defenses try to keep their opponents in front of them to block shot attempts and when this does occasionally break down, the goaltenders are at the ready to stop the black rubber cylinder. This should be a lot of fun.

New Jersey offense vs. Los Angeles defense

While Zach Parise and Ilya Kovalchuk are the leaders of the offense, they hardly do it alone for New Jersey. Of the Devils' 32 goals scored in the postseason, 18 have come from other players up and down the roster. This has distracted opponents from just keeping their eyes on the two leading scorers, and allowed coach Peter BeBoer to keep the heat on the opposing defense with every foray into the offensive zone.

Veterans like Dainius Zubrus and third-liner David Clarkson are among those that have raised their game to such a level that New Jersey has made it to the finals.

The Devils have gotten off to great starts as evidenced by them outscoring their opponents 23-9 in the opening period. But Los Angeles has also been a quick starter (14-7 in the opening 20 minutes) and in fact, has outscored their Western Conferences foes in each period in the playoffs, while the Devils have seen teams from the East light the lamp against them more often after the first period 33-28. New Jersey will need 60 minutes or more of sustained effort against the Kings.

The Devils' intensity from its fourth line has made a difference in each series victory with relentless forechecking that has manufactured chances. They will need to do the same here.

Los Angeles offense vs. New Jersey defense

The Kings are tied for the second-longest streak without winning the Stanley Cup at 44 years and are in the midst of an unfathomable journey. This team has had three coaches, found their way into the postseason on the next to last day of the regular season and have been the most dominant squad in the playoffs with a 12-2 record.

Los Angeles has not faced a team like New Jersey this spring, but they practice against one every day, since the Kings and Devils are very similar. L.A. has worn out teams by owning the center position. The trio of Anze Kopitar, Mike Richards and Jarret Stoll have buried their counterparts and set up countless scoring opportunities for themselves or wing mates.

What is amazing is they have actually played with an even higher purpose on the road, which is why the Kings are 8-0 in the visiting sweaters.

L.A. can bring the star power on any given night with names like Jeff Carter, Dustin Brown and Dustin Penner, who have all been brilliant and present massive challenges to defenses.

Minding the Goal

Jonathan Quick made a strong case that he is the best goaltender in the game this season, and has backed it up with further proof in the playoffs. Quick has permitted just 1.54 goals a game with a save percentage of .946. His size and athleticism are matched with his steely confidence. He’s only conceded more than two goals twice and never more than three.

While Quick currently might be the better player between the pipes, Martin Brodeur at 40 years old has been there and done that for New Jersey. Brodeur has been re-energized by his team’s play and has made four Finals appearances, coming away with three Cups.

For both goalies, they have to overcome one aspect for success. Quick will begin the series having not played in eight days and because of television, will only play once in 10 days, setting up the potential for being rusty. At Brodeur’s age, any sign of a crack and people will be quick to jump on it. He’s going to face a number of big bodies in front of the net and has to play like he has the entire postseason.

Special Teams

This area of specialization might decide this series, but it is almost impossible to predict. The Kings have scored more goals down a man than with the conventional five-on-four power play (five goals vs. three). They are abhorrent 8.1 percent with a man advantage despite having exceptional talent.

Los Angeles’ power play has been sloppy in execution. However, several Kings players and coaches point to last year’s Cup champions Boston, who found a groove in the Finals after being completely ineffective early on. On the other hand, L.A.’s penalty killing has been tremendous at 91.2 percent.

New Jersey’s has been far more effective with a man advantage at 19 percent (12 for 63), However, they were only three for 23 against the Rangers and the Kings can set up a similar fortress. The Devils' penalty killing during the regular season was the best ever in the modern era, but has been strangely ineffective since.

New Jersey wins if...

They can maintain an even keel home and away. The Devils are 30-19 SU on home ice this season and 30-21 on the road. It has been imperative for the Devils to pepper the cage, since they are 9-2 when they out-shoot the opposition in the playoffs and 2-5 when they do not.

Los Angeles wins if...

There are two ways to view Los Angeles. Take away their eight road wins in the postseason, they are a .500 club at 44-44 SU. Nonetheless, current form is more important this time of year and the Kings are 24-9 since the last day of February. L.A. has been off for a long time and they would not be the first club to lose their edge with so much rest. Los Angeles is 8-2 when they put as many or more pucks on the net than their opponents and incredibly are 4-0 when being out-shot.

The Stanley Cup Champion is...

Los Angeles, who will ultimately be more physical, have more dependable scorers and better goaltending. Coach Darryl Sutter is pushing all the right buttons, and could become just the second coach in the four major sports to be the last of three men in charge of a team in a single season, to lead his club to a championship (1978 New York Yankees) according to Elias Sports.

The Kings are a -160 money line favorite to capture the Cup over New Jersey (+140) and the most popular odds sit at six games for an exact Los Angeles title at +350.

Doug's Pick: Los Angeles in six over New Jersey