Stanley Cup Finals 2012: Why a Los Angeles Kings' Victory Is Good for the NHL

Los Angeles Kings forward Dustin Brown has a maximum four chances to become the second United States-born captain to hoist the Stanley Cup. In that event, he would give first-time company to Derian Hatcher of the 1999 Dallas Stars.

Kings goaltender Jonathan Quick is all but a shoo-in for the 2012 Conn Smythe Trophy. This would make him the second straight American stopper to be an NHL playoff MVP, succeeding Tim Thomas.

He would join only Thomas and Brian Leetch of the 1994 New York Rangers as an American Conn Smythe recipient.

It could happen as early as Wednesday night at the Staples Center, when the Kings vie for a sweep of New Jersey. Together, Brown and Quick can garner their game to a level of fascination not achieved by any American captain-goalie tandem since Mike Eruzione and Jim Craig.

They can also spawn a marketing field day for USA Hockey, Ithaca High School, Avon Old Farms School, the University of Massachusetts-Amherst and the Manchester Monarchs.

Not unlike Hatcher, Brown can deliver an NHL franchise’s first Cup. Not unlike Leetch, Rangers’ American goaltender Mike Richter and Thomas, Quick can deliver a long-awaited title to one of the country’s five largest sports markets.

Adding to the imminent multitude of milestones, the Kings are on the verge of becoming the first eighth-seeded team to win a title under the NHL’s current playoff format.

When, and if, the Kings finish off the Devils within the next week, there is absolutely nothing the league can complain about.

Ditto to all those associated with USA Hockey.

Prominent American players introducing Stanley Cup glory to a prominent American sports market in spite of an immense underdog status?

That can do nothing less than sprinkle seeds to grow national interest in the game.

Of those major markets currently with an NHL team, Los Angeles is the largest still looking for its first Stanley Cup banner. That is unless one counts the Anaheim Ducks’ title five years ago, but there are abundant reasons why the Kings’ should have a greater impact.

Including Brown and Quick, the Kings have a total of seven Americans on their active roster—three from Michigan, two from New York State, one from Utah and one from Connecticut.

In a little less than two years, at least two of those players should be wearing a star-spangled sweater in the 2014 Olympics. In the interim, because of their efficient 15-2 run so far, their NHL team should have little trouble warding off a post-championship hangover next season.

Sustained success and the sustained attention that comes with it will buy Brown and Quick more opportunity to inspire rising American players.

Besides that, although their regular season finish was deceptive and owed heavily to a midseason coaching change, the Kings ought to serve as an inspirational reference point for all future low-seeded contenders.

They are about to do what the 2006 Edmonton Oilers fell one game shy of achieving against Carolina.

Imagine the nearly inevitable event that they wrap up this week.

Now imagine if, say, the Florida Panthers fall short of repeating their division title next year, but make a repeat playoff appearance by taking the last seed in the Eastern Conference.

Their long-suffering fanbase would have no excuse not to pack the BankAtlantic Center—not even for Game 3 of the first round—for the 2012 Kings will be living proof that any qualifying playoff contender has a chance to win it all.

The new promotional playoff mantra could be, “If you’re in it, you can win it.” There will be concrete evidence to deflect any arguments to the contrary.

If anyone is going to break that sheet of ice, it might as well be a big-city American franchise bolstered by big-city American players.

Gary Bettman and the like could not ask for a more refreshing diversion amidst the impending CBA discussions.