If the Stanley Cup really is the most difficult trophy to win in professional sports, the Los Angeles Kings are sure making it look easy. With their dominant 4-0 victory over New Jersey in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final Monday night, the Kings are now just one win away from their first Stanley Cup championship in franchise history.
Alec Martinez, Anze Kopitar, Jeff Carter and Justin Williams all tallied goals for the Kings, and Jonathan Quick stopped all 22 of the Devils‘ shots, giving him his third shutout of the postseason.
In short, the Kings looked like a balanced, well-oiled machine in front of the Staples Center faithful last night, and there’s no reason to think they’ll be any different in Game 4.
“I think it’s safe to say that ‘Quicker’ is ‘Quicker’ and he’s the backbone of our team, but I think our best players have played like best players the majority of the playoffs,” Kings captain Dustin Brown said. “But, you’re also getting goals from 17 guys total out of a 20-something roster—when you have that type of scoring it’s a scary thought for opponents.”
And the Kings are making this Cup run one to remember. They have already become the first team in NHL history to win 10 straight playoff games on the road, their win Monday made them the first team in NHL history to go up 3-0 in all four rounds and if they are able to sweep the Devils with a win Wednesday, they will match the 1988 Edmonton Oilers for the best winning percentage in playoff history since the League went to the best-of-seven format for all four rounds in 1987, going 16-2.
Oh, and they’d be the first No. 8 seed to capture hockey’s holy grail.
Looks like the Cup is coming to Tinseltown.
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