Stanley Cup Playoffs 2012: Why Tonight's Game Is Last Chance to Win for Kings

The Los Angeles Kings went up 3-0 on the New Jersey Devils in the Stanley Cup Finals, but after allowing the Devils to sneak back into the series tonight's Game 6 is the last chance the Kings have to finish New Jersey.

After stealing the first two games in New Jersey thanks to two overtime victories, the Kings looked poised to win the first Stanley Cup in team history.

The series then shifted to Los Angeles, and after a 4-0 victory the Kings looked like they were going to sweep the Devils for sure. However, the Devils had different plans, winning Game 4 by a score of 3-1 in a hostile environment to keep the series alive.

Game 5 took place in New Jersey, where an early power play goal by Zach Parise put the Devils ahead. Each team scored once in the second period, and the Devils won the game 2-1.

The series is back in Los Angeles, as Game 6 is the final home game the Kings will play in the series. The Devils have momentum right now, winning the past two games and looking to even the series at three game apiece.

If the Kings let a third game get away from them the series will head back to New Jersey for a decisive Game 7.

If the Kings hope to win the first Stanley Cup in team history they will have to do so tonight, as letting the Devils win three games and play the final game in front of their home fans would be ensure New Jersey wins the Cup.

The Kings must close out the series tonight, as this is essentially Game 7 in the sense that whoever wins tonight will win the series.

The determining factor in tonight's game will surely be the play of the goalies, Martin Brodeur and Jonathan Quick.

Brodeur has a history of postseason success, while Quick has been playing the best hockey of his career.

Game 6 should be decided by a single goal, just like three of the five games of this series already have been. The biggest question will be which goalie breaks first.

The Devils are looking to become the first team to come back from a 3-0 deficit in the Stanley Cup Finals since the 1942 Toronto Maple Leafs.

The Devils appear to have a calm demeanor coming into tonight's game, which bodes well. They are taking the series one game at a time, which is how they have battled back to make this series interesting.

If the Devils can steal another game from LA you can bet that the Cup will be headed back to New Jersey, and the series comes down to Game 6.

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