Once again, hockey prognosticators are most likely scratching their heads and going, how did these two teams get here?
At the start of the playoffs, both the Kings and the Devils did not appear to be heading for Stanley Cup destiny, both having struggled through most of the regular season, but to their credit caught fire heading into the final weeks of the regular campaign.
Securing playoff spots, the two teams found their placements and made the best of them, the Kings making quick work of their Western Conference challengers, while the Devils had a harder time of things climbing through the Eastern Conference playoffs.
Both however are full value for their appearance in this years finale to the NHL Season.
The Kings proved quite dominant over their Western rivals, while the Devils, a never say die kind of team never seemed to panic when things perhaps didn't go as they had hoped.
It may not be the dream New York / LA media spectacular that Gary Bettman may have wanted, but sometimes the best dreams don't always come true. Still, as far as a hockey series goes, this one may yet surprise more than a few observers.
Game One-- Los Angeles 2 at New Jersey 1 (OT)
Los Angeles leads the series 1 game to 0
Previews and Reviews
POST GAME
LA Times-- Anze Kopitar in right place at the right time for Kings
LA Times-- Kings following their marching orders to another magical playoff victory
LA Times-- Anze Kopitar's goal lifts Kings, 2-1, in overtime
LA Times-- Kings are soaking in the atmosphere of a Stanley Cup final
LA Daily News-- LA Kings win Game 1 in overtime...
LA Daily News-- LA Kings' goal within reach, thanks to Anze Kopitar
LA Daily News-- Stanley Cup captains are a real American story
Newark Star Ledger-- Ryan Carter says jitters, carelessness costly in loss to Kings
Newark Star Ledger-- Has your perception of series changed after Game 1
Newark Star Ledger-- We've bounced back before, we'll do it again
Newark Star Ledger-- Stanley Cup finals Game 1 to Kings thanks to Anze Kopitar's...
Newark Star Ledger-- As Kings' road dominance continues, puck bounces their way
Newark Star Ledger-- What concerns you most after Game 1 loss?
Newark Star Ledger-- Devils show nerves vs LA Kings ...
Newark Star Ledger-- Devils dance with Kings in Stanley Cup Finals gives Newark a spotlight
Newark Star Ledger-- Devils face much tougher road after losing Game 1 to Kings
Newark Star Ledger-- Devils need to find a solution for Kings goalie Jonathon Quick
Newark Star Ledger-- Devils offense sputters as Zach Parise, Ilya Kovalchuk struggle
Newark Star Ledger-- Devils' Martin Brodeur says nerve played a part in Game 1 loss
Newark Star Ledger-- The Devils were at their worst, and still had a chance to win it
Newark Star Ledger-- Devils fall to Kings, 2-1, in crucial series opener
Newark Star Ledger-- Devils' Jeff Vanderbeek close to refinancing team's debt, commissioner says
New York Post-- Devils lose to Kings in overtime of Stanley Cup opener
New York Post-- Kings' Kopitar reaches into memory bank to beat Devils goalie
New York Post-- Power Plays
New York Daily News-- NJ Devils goalie Martin Brodeur comes up empty...
New York Daily News-- LA Kings take Game 1 of Stanley Cup Finals...
New York Daily News-- LA Kings' Anze Kopitar learns from shootout move...
USA Today-- Devils need more shots to find holes in Quick
USA Today-- NBC Stanley Cup opener: TV Box office down
USA Today-- Devils lament missed opportunity in Stanley Cup
USA Today-- Kings steal Game 1 on road as Kopitar beats Brodeur in OT
National Post-- Kings' Anze Kopitar nets winner against Devils...
National Post-- Devils goaltender Martin Brodeur would like a do-over of Game 1 overtime
Globe and Mail-- Kings Game 1 dominance evident in the numbers
Globe and Mail-- Kopitar's winner follows a series of mistakes by Devils
Toronto Sun-- Kings making it look easy
Toronto Sun-- Kings grind out Game 1 win
Toronto Sun-- Another slow start for Kovalchuk
Toronto Sun-- Kings ultimate road warriors
Toronto Star-- Anze Kopitar fools Martin Brodeur in overtime...
Toronto Star-- Healthy Simon Gagne all set to help LA Kings
Toronto Star-- Jets coach Rex Ryan causes stir at Game 1
PRE GAME
LA Times-- Room on bandwagon? The Los Angeles Kings will keep on truckin'
LA Times-- Kings are built for the long run
LA Times-- Kings are soaking in the atmosphere of a Stanley Cup Final
LA Times-- In Ilya Kovalchuk, Kings to face one who got away
LA Times-- This time, the Kings will keep watchful eye on sticks
LA Times-- Drew Doughty gets assist in becoming dominating defenseman for Kings
LA Times-- Longtime Kings broadcaster Bob Miller looks forward by looking back
LA Times-- Kings vs. Devils: How they match up
LA Times-- Kings fans can't forget stick incident in 1993, but there's more to the picture
LA Times-- Kings' success has always been atop Tim Leiweke's to-do list
LA Times-- Kings' Anze Kopitar makes the NHL more popular in Slovenia
LA Times-- Kings have interesting, some might say colourful history
LA Times-- As for Kings' ups and downs, he's been there
LA Times-- Mike Richards, Peter DeBoer: Old friends, opposite sides
LA Times-- Kings need to keep Ilya Kovalchuk off scoresheet
LA Times-- Kings vs. Devils: a first look
LA Times-- Los Angeles Kings fans stick it out
LA Times-- Los Angeles Kings' collective effort is difference
LA Daily News-- DeBoer, Richards bound by Kitchener ties
LA Daily News-- Kings, even paired with Devils, are a heavenly match for league
LA Daily News-- Q and A with Jeremy Roenick
LA Daily News-- Media day? Let's get it on!
LA Daily News-- Former Kings defenseman Jack Johnson: I have no rooting interest ...
LA Daily News-- Captain Courageous: Brown has Kings in Stanley Cup Final ...
LA Daily News-- Bosom Buddies: Reunion of Richards, Carter has Kings jelling ...
LA Daily News-- Penner getting the last laugh
LA Daily News-- The 19 year itch: A tale of the puck ...
LA Daily News-- Will anyone stick up for Marty McSorley?
LA Daily News-- Injured winger Gagne returns to practice with Kings
LA Daily News-- Doctor's orders for Kings in Stanley Cup final
Newark Star Ledger-- Doc Emrick to call Devils games once again...
Newark Star Ledger-- Devils' Pete DeBoer to those who wanted Rangers in fnals ...
Newark Star Ledger-- Devils hold optional morning skate before Game 1 ...
Newark Star Ledger-- Make your Devils-Kings Game 1 and series predictions
Newark Star Ledger-- Montgomery High School drums up support for Devils...
Newark Star Ledger-- Kings GM Dean Lomardi took sage advice from Lou Lamoriello
Newark Star Ledger-- Devils - Kings preview
Newark Star Ledger-- Devils' Stanley Cup tickets a hot commodity
Newark Star Ledger-- Devils will bring 'no-name defense' into Stanley Cup Finals
Newark Star Ledger-- Kings' goaltender Jonathan Quick is sterling in net ...
Newark Star Ledger-- Will winning the Cup help their chances at keeping Zach Parise?
Newark Star Ledger-- Former Devils and Kings defenseman Dave Lewis intrigued ...
Newark Star Ledger-- Who needs to step up most vs. Kings?
Newark Star Ledger-- Kings might be favourite in Stanley Cup finals ...
Newark Star Ledger-- Devils hold last practice before start of Stanley Cup finals
Newark Star Ledger-- Another round of playoffs and another with low expectations ...
Newark Star Ledger-- Devils Martin Brodeur set to play in 200th Stanley Cup playoff game
Newark Star Ledger-- Devils' Henrik Tallinder is cleared to play in Stanley Cup finals
Newark Star Ledger-- Devils' Ilya Kovalchuk says there is a little extra motivation...
Newark Star Ledger-- Will home ice be a factor in Stanley Cup finals?
Newark Star Ledger-- How can they stop the Juggernaut Kings?
Newark Star Ledger-- A comparison of the Devils and Kings on and off the ice
Newark Star Ledger-- As Zach Parise goes, so go the Devils
NY Post-- Kovalchuk, Devils ready to bury Kings goalie
NY Post-- Devils primed to have their Cup runneth over
NY Post-- Q and A with Pete DeBoer
NY Post-- Gretzky prefers to stay out of Kings' spotlight
NY Post-- Devils coach knows Kings are huge test
NY Post-- Ilya giving Devils money's worth
NY Post-- Ageless Brodeur still having fun in goal for Devils
NY Post-- DeBoer's days off pay off for Devils
NY Post-- Kings have Flyers flavor
NY Daily News-- NY Rangers and style of play will not be missed...
NY Daily News-- Zach Parise leads NJ Devils into Stanley Cup finals...
NY Daily News-- LA Kings goalie Jonathon Quick, who rooted against ...
NY Daily News-- NJ Devils goalie, the ageless Martin Brodeur, still has what it takes...
NY Daily News-- New Jersey Devils are the San Antonio Spurs of the NHL...
NY Daily News-- Ilya Kovalchuk selected Devils over Kings two years ago...
NY Daily News-- NJ Devils are the pick to win 2012 Stanley Cup finals ...
NY Daily News-- NJ Devils rookie Adam Henrique making his mark...
USA Today-- Devils' Martin Brodeur remains a force at 40
USA Today-- Get early lead to make Kings uncomfortable
USA Today-- Mike Richards, Jeff Carter get another shot at Cup
USA Today-- Sizing up the Stanley Cup Final
USA Today-- Devils' Zajac reaches Stanley Cup Final after injury scare
Globe and Mail-- Stanley Cup Final a tale of two goaltenders
Globe and Mail-- Devils' coach DeBoer calls Kings 'a three or four headed monster'
Globe and Mail-- Superstitious Sutter a slave to routine
Globe and Mail-- Bold thinking paying off for Los Angeles Kings
Globe and Mail-- Why the Devils will win
Globe and Mail-- Ed Snider says he's rooting for former Flyers Carter, Richards
Globe and Mail-- Former Flyers target regal redemption
Globe and Mail-- Line combinations: How the Devils and Kings stack up
Globe and Mail-- Marty McSorley hopes Kings straighten out curse of illegal stick
Globe and Mail-- Kings' Mitchell has eyes on prize, not the candy
Globe and Mail-- Why the Kings will win
Globe and Mail-- The Devils you know
Globe and Mail-- How the Devils were built
Globe and Mail-- Are the Los Angeles Kings the best eighth seed ever?
Globe and Mail-- Jersey's Kovalchuk comes full circle
Globe and Mail-- Devils-Kings Stanley Cup will be a familiar affair
National Post-- Five questions for the Stanley Cup final
National Post-- Devils giving Martin Brodeur one more chance
National Post-- Travis Zajac flies under the radar after return to Devils from injury
National Post-- Aggressive changes led Devils out of own personal hell
National Post-- Devils guarantee themselves a shot at Stanley Cup
National Post-- Kings' Jonathan Quick keeps his focus on the ice
National Post-- Devils brace for Kings' onslaught
National Post-- Kings vs. Devils: Even more unlikely by the second
Toronto Star-- Martin Brodeur and Lou Lamoriello, Deviils for life
Toronto Star-- Ilya Kovalchuk signing reverberates with Kings, Devils
Toronto Star-- L. A. Kings' Darryl Sutter the ultimate players coach
Toronto Sun-- Kings, Devils rewarded for creativity
Toronto Sun-- Cup-less runs set to end
Toronto Sun-- Kings seeking long-awaited coronation
Toronto Sun-- Brodeur not thinking retirement
Toronto Sun-- Kings' first coach remembers good and bad
Toronto Sun-- Brown failed in quest for Kovalchuk
Toronto Sun-- DeBoer, Richards linked forever
Toronto Sun-- Gretzky's great regret
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